A review by thecatsmum
How the Dead Live by Will Self

4.0

You're always going to have at least an unusual plot line setting or protagonist in a Self novel and this is no exception. You're told the story of Lily Bloom as she sees it in life death and rebirth. I often feel with Will Self that there is something brilliant he is working at but he just misses pulling it off flawlessly. That isn't to say he isn't worth reading. He definitely is and his use of language even when he stumbles a bit is beautiful. I couldn't put out of my mind how much this is based on his mother's (and in turn his) life. I think that made it a bit more poignant to me and perhaps made it easier to like Lily flaws and all. However I think that there is something about Lily and her story that doesn't make her entirely unlike-able while managing to portray her as a true person. This departure from the usual habit authors have of making Mary Jane characters that people can automatically identify with really drives home what this book is about in part. If anyone ever comes very close to death with enough time to reflect upon their true natures and their life's path(s) it all becomes a bit obvious we are all unlike-able in some way.Self might be a bit off putting to some people but all his books have stuck with me. It is worth the effort to overcome any discomfiture you feel from any of his real or perceived pretensions. For those of us who never noticed it his novels are an incredible treat.