Comment on "Afterlife"

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Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
I read "Afterlife" last week. I know I'm a biased King reader, but would you believe me if I said that saying this was one of the best stories I have ever read was the objective truth?

Sure -- it's rather short, simple, based on a theme that many -- including King -- have already covered.

But the concept at the center of it is what I really enjoyed. It was intellectually exhilarating to contemplate, but it was also very scary...and sad.

Now, all I can say is this is the first time, to my knowledge, that I have come across such an idea (I'm not going to mention specifically what I mean because I just don't know how to activate the spoiler button, but I'm sure you know the idea I mean), but I concede that maybe others have already written about it.

However, I liked King's execution, and I think it would make a great short film.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
I read "Afterlife" last week. I know I'm a biased King reader, but would you believe me if I said that saying this was one of the best stories I have ever read was the objective truth?

Sure -- it's rather short, simple, based on a theme that many -- including King -- have already covered.

But the concept at the center of it is what I really enjoyed. It was intellectually exhilarating to contemplate, but it was also very scary...and sad.

Now, all I can say is this is the first time, to my knowledge, that I have come across such an idea (I'm not going to mention specifically what I mean because I just don't know how to activate the spoiler button, but I'm sure you know the idea I mean), but I concede that maybe others have already written about it.

However, I liked King's execution, and I think it would make a great short film.
To do spoilers, look at your bar of things above. There is a box above that contains a smiley face, a mtn scene, film clip and then the fourth icon in the box is a piece of paper with writing. Click on that. Under that tab,you will see "spoiler". Click on it. Everything you want as a spoiler must go right in the middle of those spoiler words.
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
Thanks Dana, I shall try that now.

The idea that the guy could choose to cease to exist or go back with no memory is fascinating. I'm sure others have thought of that, but this is the first time for me at least that I have seen this concept in a story. What's the difference, when you think about it? It makes me think of reincarnation -- I've always thought, what's so good about that if there is no continuity of memory? Plus, it bring up the question of nature of consciousness...what is that, what makes one consciousness unique enough to know it is it, but not to be in some other individual's head (if you know what I am getting at)? I also enjoyed the fantasy of retribution for that terrible man in the office, based on the real tragedy that King mentioned. Really well-done story. I mentioned that this would be a great short film -- I'll add that it could also be done as a movie or an episodic series with some adaptive changes.
 

Gil

New Member
Oct 31, 2016
1
6
77
I read "Afterlife" last week. I know I'm a biased King reader, but would you believe me if I said that saying this was one of the best stories I have ever read was the objective truth?

Sure -- it's rather short, simple, based on a theme that many -- including King -- have already covered.

But the concept at the center of it is what I really enjoyed. It was intellectually exhilarating to contemplate, but it was also very scary...and sad.

Now, all I can say is this is the first time, to my knowledge, that I have come across such an idea (I'm not going to mention specifically what I mean because I just don't know how to activate the spoiler button, but I'm sure you know the idea I mean), but I concede that maybe others have already written about it.

However, I liked King's execution, and I think it would make a great short film.

I am NOT a biased King reader, but I agree with everything you said. I sought out this site after reading the story. Great concept and really gets you to thinking. When Isaac responds to reincarnation as "not exactly" my first thought was impossible. Then I thought the author made a clear mistake when Isaac said the 9/11 reference was made multiple times. But then we learned that neither was a mistake.

There are many stories possible based on the concept and I wonder if it would be plagiarism to start off a story from the same starting point, but go off in a totally different direction giving "new arrivals" other options. Hopefully Stephen has other stories like this in mind.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
I am NOT a biased King reader, but I agree with everything you said. I sought out this site after reading the story. Great concept and really gets you to thinking. When Isaac responds to reincarnation as "not exactly" my first thought was impossible. Then I thought the author made a clear mistake when Isaac said the 9/11 reference was made multiple times. But then we learned that neither was a mistake.

There are many stories possible based on the concept and I wonder if it would be plagiarism to start off a story from the same starting point, but go off in a totally different direction giving "new arrivals" other options. Hopefully Stephen has other stories like this in mind.
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HollyGolightly

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
9,660
74,320
54
Heart of the South
What a great story!
Did anyone else feel it was a bit like
when Roland comes out of the tower carrying the Horn of Eld? A different ending, as Roland was living something different but STILL . Poor Andrews, so sure he could change some little something, choosing that same door, even after being told how it will end.
This story is a great study on human nature.

I personally have some strange ideas about what happens next - probably they don't jive with my Catholicism, but that's OK. I don't think anyone knows what happens next.

I've had this book for a while, I just keep putting off reading it. Sometimes I have to put off reading Sai King's books though, because I know I'll get sucked in. Always. And that's a beautiful thing.