The Postmortal

A Novel

By: Drew Magary

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

John Farrell is about to get "The Cure". Old age can never kill him now. The only problem is, everything else still can.

Imagine a near future where a cure for aging is discovered and - after much political and moral debate - made available to people worldwide. Immortality, however, comes with its own unique problems, including evil green people, government euthanasia programs, a disturbing new religious cult, and other horrors.

Witty, eerie, and full of humanity, The Postmortal is an unforgettable thriller that envisions a pre-apocalyptic world so real that it is completely terrifying.

©2011 Drew Magary (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A must-read for fans of postmodern dystopia in the vein of Margaret Atwood, Chuck Palahniuk, and Neil Gaiman." ( Library Journal)

Enjoyable listen

I always enjoy Johnny Heller when I listen to him perform a book and this story was pretty good on top of it. I honestly could have seen it being a bit longer but I enjoyed what we got none the less. I did like that it made me think of how I would handle the opportunity to live essentially forever and even asked my spouse and some friends about it as well. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys post apocalyptical reads even if this isn't exactly that per say.

Wow.

I had listened to The Hike and loved it, so I thought Id try something else from the same same author. I really liked this one. A bit melancoly at times, but so good.
I liked the narrator, but not for this book. Very talented, but the personalities of the protaginist and narrator did not mesh. Honestly, the boice was way too old for someone eternally 29. But not too big a distraction, or enough that I wouldn't recommend this book. Because I do!

Incredibly compelling concept

A very funny and scarily realistic idea of how we would all behave if given the cure to aging.

A cynical take on immortality

Post mortal reads like the ranting of a pessimist, in every beat of the book, the worst possible outcome is made to seem like the most obvious one, and the most likely, and is then blamed on the inmate nature of man to be selfish and self serving. It is unreasonable to believe that in a society, where mortality is no longer an issue that they would not find better solutions for the problems the author introduces to society as the population grows larger. But as the author seems to be a cynic, every problem society as a whole is faced with in the book is met with the most self serving apathy. The the main character is an apathetic and unlikable person who seems to float through his entire life without learning anything, he has no drive and no real inspiration to continue throughout the entire book, and even in the end, where it seems like, he has finally learned the true meaning of life, he still hasn’t. Overall, it is beautifully written, Drew Magary is a fantastic writer, but this book left a sour taste in my mouth sadly.

Who wants to live forever

The book is not what I expected. I don’t know why but I assumed it would be light hearted. It most certainly is not. But I actually liked it better that way. It was depressing at times but I think I’ll be thinking on this book for many years as this not a rehash story. It’s original in many ways. Even the way the plot progressed didn’t follow a cliche style. Get this book.