The Congregation of the Dead

by Max Childers

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0941711323
• ISBN13: 9780941711326
• Release Date: April 1996
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith Publishers
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Avery talented writer pens a novel that comes from the heart

English professor and failed writer Walter Loomis feels his new inheritance has finally broken his downward spiral of being unable to obtain tenure at four different colleges. His father, a former CIA operative, who Walter had not seen or heard from in years, died and left his son with a little under a million dollars. Without anyone even noticing, Walter leaves the world of academia and returns to his hometown of Helmsville, North Carolina. However, upon arrival Walter learns that he has inherited some other oddities including Ricky, a half-brother he did not know existed, a large estate, and a diary that irritates him Though he never knew his father, apparently his dad knew Walter. His dad (and Ricky) lived life to the fullest without crippling fear of failure. The ex CIA operative also realized through the pathetically dull books Walter authored that his son was a charter member of the CONGREGATION OF THE DEAD because Walter preferred to stand on the sidelines bemoaning his fate rather than live life to the fullest. A shaken Walter begins awakening to life, but where it leads him requires reading the novel. Max Childers' third novel, CONGREGATION OF THE DEAD, is the author's most serious work to date, but is still loaded with the author's trademark acrimonious yet jocular mockery. The male characters, including the deceased, are brilliantly bizarre opposites. The story line is filled with pathos, but has wonderfully funny scenes. Especially hilarious is teaching the bored students creative writing. This a fantistic piece of literature though not for everyone because Mr. Childers' novels have a dark brew taste to them. Anyone who enjoys acerbic satire should read this book and the writer's previous works, THINGS UNDONE and ALPHA OMEGA, which contain non-stop ironic humor.Harriet Klausner

A good story

English professor and failed writer Walter Loomis feels his new inheritance has finally broken his downward spiral of being unable to obtain tenure at four different colleges. His father, a former CIA operative, who Walter had not seen or heard from in years, died and left his son with a little under a million dollars. Without anyone even noticing, Walter leaves the world of academia and returns to his hometown of Helmsville, North Carolina. However, upon arrival Walter learns that he has inherited some other oddities including Ricky, a half-brother he did not know existed, a large estate, and a diary that irritates him Though he never knew his father, apparently his dad knew Walter. His dad (and Ricky) lived life to the fullest without crippling fear of failure. The ex CIA operative also realized through the pathetically dull books Walter authored that his son was a charter member of the CONGREGATION OF THE DEAD because Walter preferred to stand on the sidelines bemoaning his fate rather than live life to the fullest. A shaken Walter begins awakening to life, but where it leads him requires reading the novel. Max Childers' third novel, CONGREGATION OF THE DEAD, is the author's most serious work to date, but is still loaded with the author's trademark acrimonious yet jocular mockery. The male characters, including the deceased, are brilliantly bizarre opposites. The story line is filled with pathos, but has wonderfully funny scenes. Especially hilarious is teaching the bored students creative writing. This a fantistic piece of literature though not for everyone because Mr. Childers' novels have a dark brew taste to them. Anyone who enjoys acerbic satire should read this book and the writer's previous works, THINGS UNDONE and ALPHA OMEGA, which contain non-stop ironic humor.Harriet Klausner