Next Life Might Be Kinder

Reviews

“The premise of Howard Norman’s new novel is eerie enough to make the skin crawl…[with] an opening sentence worthy of the Noir Hall of Fame…Haunting.”

“[Norman] elegantly crafts a murder story that isn’t a mystery; a ghost story without shivers…Norman pulls off a fascinating balancing act here: the literary page-turner that, when it’s done, you want to retrace his steps; to revisit Sam and Elizabeth during happier days. It’s a poignant look at loss—and at how memories transform into stories, helping us move forward into kinder days.”

“Vivid, haunting, and—as always with this writer—beautifully and carefully written and unique, it’s meaning both elegant and elusive.”

“This latest novel, a strange and tragic love story told with great power and beauty, is a remarkable achievement. The book blends macabre elements, including murder, with an absurdity and humor out of Kafka or Pirandello. It also includes utterly convincing depictions of human love and compassion…Shining through the confusion and madness is Norman’s masterly depiction of Sam and Elizabeth’s love affair before the murder, showing two people living modest, quiet lives who are redeemed and blessed by having found real love. An inspiring and beautiful book; enthusiastically recommended for fans of literary fiction.”

“Once again Norman portrays Nova Scotia as a mystical realm, where the dead haunt the living, and time is tidal. The inspiration for this dark, sexy, allusive, and diabolical tale is found in Norman’s memoir, I Hate to Leave this Beautiful Place, further complicating the novel’s eerie investigation into the yin and yang of verisimilitude and aberration.”

“Narrator Bronson Pinchot’s empathetic tone enhances this bittersweet novel…Pinchot’s somber, grounded tone roots listeners firmly in Sam’s perspective, and his embodiment of Elizabeth’s plaintive voice and spirited personality exemplifies the playfulness and passion that gives the couple’s relationship its strength. Pinchot never misses a beat in this complex work, creating an elegant cohesiveness with a breadth of characterizations and a solid grasp of Norman’s imagery. Drawing a vibrant picture against the backdrop of Sam’s grief, Pinchot’s narration helps give listeners hope for his future.”

“A man’s anguish over his wife’s murder—soon to be a major motion picture—blurs his grasp of reality in the latest moody, Halifax-set tale by Norman…Beguiling.“

Expand reviews