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   1. What makes the premise of The Brief History of the Dead–that the recently dead inhabit a necropolis very much like an earthly city but only as long as they are remembered by the living–so engaging? What basic human feelings does this idea draw upon?

   Posted 7 months ago by Catwoman #

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   This made me think of what people sometimes say when someone dies..."they live on in our memories" or things along those lines. I remember thinking as a child that I don't want to just be remembered after I am dead--I want to be alive somewhere! This was an interesting take on that idea, that you actually DO live somewhere as long as someone remembers you. I wonder how this ties into the belief in a purgatory, though I'm not Catholic so I don't know anything about that.

   Posted 7 months ago by Catwoman #

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   I think it is true that people who are still remember a dead person keep their spirit alive. I know that I used to go with my greatgrandmother to the cemetary every spring to clean the graves of my family. I didn't even know the people--they all died before my birth, but my greatgrandmother told me the stories of my ancestors and they lived on. I have passed those stories to my daughter. It is the only way that these people will be remembered. The only ones that went with her to the cemeraty wereme, my mother(still living), grandfather, and great aunt. Mom and I are the only ones left that have heard about these relatives. If we do not pass on the stories they will be gone and forgotten--names on a stone and that is all. Because of this I think the book hit a chord with me.

   Posted 7 months ago by SoxsMom #

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   bump

   Posted 7 months ago by Catwoman #

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   I had the same thought, CW. This book really made me think. I also thought of family and friends who have passed, and "put them" in the story to a degree. I guess it draws on the denial phase of grief; those who have passed live on as long as we remember them.
   I have to say I thought of the animals too!

   Posted 7 months ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

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   Well, I've said that so many times myself - that as long as anyone remembers a person, they are not gone. But the idea of them living in a city was so novel to me and so intriguing. I just had never thought of it that way.

   Posted 7 months ago by WillowandWindismom #

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   The idea that people you had met in life that had never known each other getting the chance to meet struck a chord with me. As for a basic human need...i guess I would go with belonging...ties to a large group.

   Posted 7 months ago by Alicia #

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