Six Feet Under: Better Living Through Death

by Alan Ball and Alan Poul

Book Overview

Just in time for the series finale, SIX FEET UNDER: Better Living Through Death will be published in trade paperback with a new introduction by creator Alan Ball. Based on the award winning HBO hit... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743480651
• ISBN13: 9780743480659
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Digging up the backstories on the Fisher clan

Since "Six Feet Under" is an unusual television series, set primarily in the Fisher & Songs Funeral Home, 2302 West Twenty-fifth Street, Los Angeles, Calif. 90018, it would make sense that what would be labeled the official companion guide to the show is decidedly offbeat as well. "Six Feet Under: Better Living Through Death" does not recount the episodes from the first season, provide biographies of the cast members, or interview the show's creator reviewing mental health issues. As Alan Ball explains in his brief forward, in which he touches on his first encounters with death, this book is a collection of the relics of lives that no longer exist (yes, Ruth says that in an episode). Ball argues that such relics are essential because they are the only means by which we really remember someone, by touching something they once wore, made or wrote. True, these are all fictional relics left behind by fictional characters, but para-social interaction with television characters is hardly a 21st century phenomenon.Through the book there are quotations on death from the likes of Carlos Castaneda the Tibetan Book of the Dead, as well as quotes from the show. But the prime attractions here are the relics themselves. Correspondence Nathaniel and Ruth when he was serving in Vietnam, a letter from guidance counselor about Nate, David's fan letter to Matt Dillon, and Clare and Russell's IMs. There is Claire and Nathaniel's car contract, an ad for Fisher & Sons, Federico's alumni profile, Lisa's column in Co-op newsletter, Brenda's novel in progress, and Billy's psychiatric release form. You will also find an invitation to the O'Connor-Fisher wedding, a note Ruth wrote to a babysitter, an article about the Chenowith fire, Claire's college application, Nate's Life-Skills Inventory questionnaire and letter from teacher expressing concern, and, as most of you were hoping, the story of "Nathaniel and Isabel" and excerpts from "Charlotte Light and Dark." If you were expecting lots of input form the show's creator, Alan Ball, then know going in that his sole contribution is Claire's short story (but if he had to pick one thing that is a good choice). Ball and Alan Poul edited the collection so there is a cohesive vision for this madness. There are also lots of photographs of the sets and cast (including the photos Billy asked Claire to take of him), along with other illustrations. The cast has gotten into the spirit of the effort by contributing contributed shots from their personal collections of when they were younger, so you get baby pictures of most of them. Consequently, for fans of the show who are inclined to let Ball get away with this conceit, this is a fascinating look at the backstories of the Fishers and the other characters caught up in their lives. It might be providing depth without true insights, but then such things are left to the mind of the reader, but it is a different way of looking at a different series.

Unique book with cool stuff!

This book perfectly reflects the intelligence and creativity of Six Feet Under, and lends a wonderful glimpse into the lives of its fascinating characters. Detailed and imaginative writing provides an interesting and authentic back-story. Old pictures of the actors add a delightful touch, also contributing to the "realness" of it all. With a gorgeous layout, this gem of a book will make an excellent gift or collectible for anyone who enjoys the show.

Brilliant, beautiful book for a brilliant, beautiful show!

I just spent the past hour and a half reading the brand-new official book from HBO, "Six Feet Under: Better Living Through Death," and it is absolutely fantastic. Not only was it great fun to read, but it was the perfect SFU fix for us poor souls who still have six months to wait until the next season. The book is beautifully put together, and comes in a red and clear plastic case. The book itself is bound in a homemade style that gives it the feel of a family scrapbook, which is what it is meant to be. Unlike most TV tie-in books, this book does not have an episode guide, or any production material. Instead, it is a history of the Fisher family and friends, and, besides a foreward from Alan Ball at the beginning and a copyrights paper on the back, there is no indication in the book that is even about a TV show, which helps you even more feel like you've entered the world of Six Feet Under. This book has no behind-the-scenes information. Instead, you get some truly deep insight into all the characters of SFU and have a collection of things that no true hardcore fan of the show can miss, although I doubt someone less obsessed with the show would be as excited.Having watched every episode from the first night it aired, I was ecstatic to find all the amazing things in this book, such as Nathaniel and Ruth's marriage certificate, a chapter from "Nathaniel and Isabel," a chapter from "Charlotte: Light and Dark," the short story Claire submitted to the literary magazine about a girl who could make peoples' heads explode, a portion of the novel Brenda was working on, Nate and David's report cards, full-length IMs between Claire and Billy, letters written between Ruth and Bettina after Bettina left for Montana, letters David wrote to his pen pal when he was in elementary school, Claire's submission essay to LAC-Arts, a letter Lisa's psychiatrist had her write to herself in order to get over him, and much, much more. Reading it from cover to cover is kind of like a longer, more in-depth "Wake," very dream-like and metaphysical. You also gain much much more insight into the characters than we even had before. Best of all, the book was written by writers from the show and was edited and put together by Alan Ball, so not only is it official, but it was created by the same people who create the show, so this isn't just an empty promo tie-in, but a truly great piece of work from people who love the show and make the show. The artwork and pictures alone are beautiful, but the content is much better than any other television book I've seen. The first full half of the book is dedicated to the Fishers before we met them; the second half is Nathaniel, Sr.'s death and afterwards.I could not recommend this book enough. It would make a great Christmas present.