The Returned, by Jason Mott

Great, unique story, emotional, visceral. Realistic characters portraying emotions believably. Beautiful language. I made a list of questions as they came to me when I started the book and ticked them off as they were answered, but was pleased that not all the questions were answered. That left me still thinking about the book when I'd finished and pondering, which to me is always a sign of a really great read. I keep returning to it to re-read passages that I found especially magnetic. So what makes us human? How do the living go on living when someone they love more than anything dies? What makes us "us"? And how would we react if the cycle of life and death were changed? We count on death just as we count on life; what would we do if we couldn't be sure of the very basics of existence? Would be truly live if we thought physical death were temporary? Would we even appreciate our loved ones? I highly recommend The Returned, and can see it as a discussion book in libraries. I will definitely present it to my reading groups! But I shudder to think what they will do to it to make a television series!