Life deprives many people of justice, closure, love, meaning and peace. The best books about the afterlife address this deprivation with wisdom and originality. Skilled novelists build worlds that are imaginative yet easy to understand. Both fiction and nonfiction authors use the afterlife setting to discuss philosophy and spirituality.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s novels, creative nonfiction, nonfiction or poetry, there are thousands of books about the afterlife. How do we narrow that list down to something manageable? Can we be objective at all, or are people\u2019s ideas of \u201cbest\u201d too subjective and variable?<\/p>\n
I based this selection on highest average consumer ratings across Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. These ratings aren\u2019t the be-all-end-all of quality measurement, but they are the best relatively objective metric we have. To keep the list at a digestible length, I\u2019m only considering titles with more than 100 reviews on Goodreads. I might change this criteria from time to time. Me and my team will also be monitoring comments and updating the list accordingly.<\/p>\n
Remember that \u201cbest\u201d does not always mean \u201cmost popular.\u201d There\u2019s a chance you haven\u2019t heard of some titles on this list. Like a journey through the afterlife, surprises await.<\/p>\n
Why Do Books About the Afterlife Captivate Readers?<\/h2>\n
Life is limited. Our bodies have an expiration date. Justice is inconsistent. We often have to watch evil people get away with murder, wondering if they will face consequences in the next life. With the afterlife, the only limit is our collective imagination.<\/p>\n
As a setting, the afterlife intersects with many themes that captivate wide audiences. Here are a few of these themes:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Grief<\/li>\n
- Morality<\/li>\n
- Philosophy<\/li>\n
- Religion and spirituality<\/li>\n
- Ghosts and other paranormal experiences<\/li>\n
- Reincarnation<\/li>\n
- The legal system<\/li>\n
- Suicide<\/li>\n
- Abortion<\/li>\n
- Politics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Standalone Novels\/Fiction Books About the Afterlife: Imagining Eternity<\/h2>\n
Standalone novels comprise the majority of best books about the afterlife. These titles may not be quite as famous as series such as \u201cThe Divine Comedy,\u201d but they are generally more accessible and modern. Which one will be your next read?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>1. ‘The Great Divorce<\/a>‘<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
by C.S. Lewis<\/a><\/div><\/div>- \n
- Amazon Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (from 10K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Goodreads Average Rating<\/a>: 4.3 out of 5 (from 173K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.3 out of 5 (from 131 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
No, not that kind of divorce. The word can also refer to metaphorical separations. In the case of Lewis\u2019 short novel, heaven and hell have separated (a reference to William Blake\u2019s poem, \u201cThe Marriage of Heaven and Hell<\/a>\u201d). The journey is a bus ride from hell to heaven, but heaven might not be as perfect as the passengers assume.<\/p>\n
Like Lewis\u2019 other works, there is plenty of Christian rhetoric and allegory, as well as some Christian teaching sections. If you just want the story, feel free to skip those. Anyone can enjoy this book, but Christian readers are likely to feel a special connection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>2. ‘A Short Stay in Hell<\/a>‘<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
by Steven L. Peck<\/a><\/div><\/div>- \n
- Amazon Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (from 7K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Goodreads Average Rating<\/a>: 4.18 out of 5 (from 41K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.5 out of 5 (from 4 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When Soren, a devout Mormon, passes away, his afterlife is an unpleasant surprise. Instead of the Spirit Paradise good Mormons expect they will go to, Soren ends up in a version of Hell where he can only leave by finding the book of his life in a massive library.<\/p>\n
As the title implies, this book is a novella, only about 100 pages long. Inspired by Jorge Luis Borges<\/a>\u2019 short story, \u201cThe Library of Babel<\/a>,\u201d Borges fans are likely to enjoy \u201cA Short Stay in Hell.\u201d The short novel is also similar to \u201cThe Midnight Library\u201d by Matt Haig.<\/p>\n
Editorial Note: Read our full review of \u201cThe Midnight Library\u201d<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>3. \u2018Under the Whispering Door<\/a>\u2019<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
by TJ Klune<\/a><\/div><\/div>- \n
- Amazon Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (from 18K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Goodreads Average Rating<\/a>: 4.12 out of 5 (from 299K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.6 out of 5 (from 230 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some critics describe this novel as \u201cA Man Called Ove<\/a>\u201d meets \u201cThe Good Place<\/a>\u201d TV series, but with a queer love story and the setting of Charon\u2019s Crossing (similar to the River Styx) from Greek mythology\u2026but as a tea house. Beneath this detailed premise is a simple story about appreciating life and accepting death. At almost 400 pages, this one is a way bigger commitment than the short novels above.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>4. \u2018Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives<\/a>\u2019<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
by David Eagleman<\/a><\/div><\/div>- \n
- Amazon Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (from 3K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Goodreads Average Rating<\/a>: 4.12 out of 5 (from 22K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 3.8 out of 5 (from 56 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Novels may dominate the afterlife genre, but let\u2019s not overlook short story collections. This one presents many visions of the afterlife and God in only ~100 pages. Here are some samples to whet your appetite:<\/p>\n
- \n
- God is the size of a microbe and unaware of your existence<\/li>\n
- You work as a background character in other people\u2019s dreams<\/li>\n
- You are forced to live out your afterlife with annoying versions of who you could have been<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>5. ‘The Love of My Afterlife<\/a>‘<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
by Kristy Greenwood<\/a><\/div><\/div>- \n
- Amazon Average Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (from 6K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Goodreads Average Rating<\/a>: 4.06 out of 5 (from 64K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.4 out of 5 (from 19 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The afterlife can mean meeting new people and potentially falling in love. Delphie meets a great guy after she passes away, but it turns out he\u2019s not supposed to be there. He is whisked away, but she might be able to reunite with him if she can find him back in the living world.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Best Novel Series About the Afterlife<\/h2>\n
There are only a few famous afterlife series. Because of their rarity and quality, these stories have defined the genre and inspired many generations of authors.<\/p>\n
We have omitted ratings for series where you can\u2019t easily buy the books as a series. All individual books have around a 4-star average rating on Goodreads.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>6, 7 and 8. \u2018The Divine Comedy<\/a>\u2019<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
by Dante Alighieri<\/div><\/div>- \n
- Amazon Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (from 3K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Goodreads Average Rating<\/a>: 4.08 out of 5 (from 166K ratings)<\/li>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.5 out of 5 (from 128 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Often referred to as \u201cDante\u2019s Inferno,\u201d this series is easily the most famous, genre-defining set of afterlife novels. Second only to the Bible, \u201cThe Divine Comedy\u201d defined and popularized common ideas of hell, purgatory and heaven. There\u2019s a good chance your high school English teacher or college professor made you read one of these books.<\/p>\n
In my case, I had to read \u201cThe Inferno<\/a>\u201d in high school and then the trilogy \u2014 including \u201cPurgatorio<\/a>\u201d and \u201cParadiso<\/a>\u201d \u2014 in college. Alighieri partially inspired my own novel, \u201cTeach Me How To Die<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not an easy read, and it\u2019s not for everyone. If you want something modern and accessible, opt for one of the other titles in this list.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>9 and 10. Heaven Books<\/a><\/a><\/h3><\/div>
by Mitch Albom<\/a><\/div><\/div>Mitch Albom has a simple vision of heaven: Meet five people who are connected to you to various degrees. These five people help you find closure and atone for sins.<\/p>\n
In \u201cThe Five People You Meet in Heaven<\/a>,\u201d Eddie dies on his 83rd birthday and goes on this journey. The sequel, \u201cThe Next Person You Meet in Heaven<\/a>,\u201d tells the story of Annie, the person Eddie saved during the amusement park accident. She also ends up journeying through heaven.<\/p>\n
By a slim margin, Amazon readers prefer the sequel. Goodreads users tend to be more critical of both books. If you like Mitch Albom and afterlife novels, he also wrote \u201cThe First Phone Call From Heaven<\/a>,\u201d although this book is not as highly rated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.5 out of 5 (from 128 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.4 out of 5 (from 19 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 3.8 out of 5 (from 56 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.6 out of 5 (from 230 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.5 out of 5 (from 4 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Barnes & Noble Average Rating<\/a>: 4.3 out of 5 (from 131 ratings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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