Dead, But Not Forever

In "The Ups and Downs of Being Dead", by M. R. Cornelius, Robert Malone is dead but his "life" is really just beginning.  This successful businessman chose cryonics when he was faced with death by cancer.  Cryonics freezes the brain and sometimes the body to preserve it so that it can be reanimated at a future time, when hopefully the diseases have been cured.  The technology to reanimate also needs to be developed.

What Robert didn't realize was that his spirit would be "alive" and waiting around for all that time.  So begins his adventure - traveling the world, meeting other "temp" souls and following the lives of his family.

I really liked the concept of the story.  Cornelius took the story far into the future with a progression of developments and discoveries that totally changes the nature of our existence.  It didn't necessarily make me want to try cryonics, but is definitely imaginative.

The character of Robert, who begins the story as an uptight CEO of a successful clothing company he started, is well developed.  As Robert discovers the world as a soul that can't taste, touch or feel  it leads to his spiritual growth and development.  Suzanne, a soul who shares the journey with him, is a great counterpoint to his character.

This is a great, fun read!