The Immortalists

by Chloe Benjamin
The Immortalists cover
Good Books rating 3.77
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 3029
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780735213197
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2018-01-09
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In 1969 New York City, the Gold siblings—Simon, Klara, Daniel, and Varya—seek out a traveling psychic who claims to know the day they will die. The prophecies shape their lives over the next five decades, leading them to different corners of the world and diverse pursuits. From Simon's search for love in 1980s San Francisco to Klara's life as a Las Vegas magician, Daniel's career as an army doctor, and Varya's research into longevity, their journeys explore the boundaries of destiny and choice. The Immortalists is a sweeping novel that delves into the power of story, the nature of belief, and the enduring bonds of family. It's a deeply moving exploration of how the knowledge of our mortality might change the way we live.

Reviews
Madeleine Reads · 2025-01-18
moving 3.50

The book is emotionally challenging and not for the faint of heart, but it is an important read. It delves deeply into themes of grief and mortality.

This review highlights that 'The Immortalists' is a profound and emotionally intense novel. The reviewer acknowledges that it is a sad book, but one that is crucial for its exploration of grief and the human condition. They emphasize that it's not an easy read, but the depth of the characters and the themes make it a significant and impactful story. The reviewer also notes that the book's emotional weight is balanced by its compelling narrative and the way it makes you invest in the characters' lives and fates.

Quick quotes

    This book is an important one, but it's not for the faint of heart.

    It's a sad book.

    The characters are so well-drawn that you feel their pain and joy as if it were your own.

Well Read Tart · 2018-10-02
thought-provoking 3.80

The book explores the power of suggestion and the influence of faith and religion on life decisions, making it a thought-provoking read.

Well Read Tart's review focuses on the themes of suggestion and faith in 'The Immortalists'. They appreciate how the novel delves into the ways in which beliefs and predictions can shape one's life. The reviewer finds the exploration of these themes compelling and thought-provoking, making the book a rich and engaging read. They also note that the novel's characters are deeply affected by the suggestions they receive, which adds a layer of complexity to their decisions and actions. This makes the story not just a narrative but a profound examination of human nature.

Quick quotes

    The Immortalists thoroughly explores the power of suggestion over one's life and decisions.

    The influence that faith and religion can have on our choices is a central theme.

    The characters' lives are deeply affected by the suggestions they receive, making the story both compelling and thought-provoking.

The Guardian · 2018-03-04
magical 4.00

The novel is not just about grief but also about the depth of its characters, making the reader mourn with them. It's a rare and magical achievement.

The Guardian's review praises 'The Immortalists' for its rich character development and its exploration of grief. They note that the novel does more than just tell a story about loss; it makes the reader feel deeply connected to the characters, almost as if they are part of the family. This emotional resonance is what sets the book apart and makes it a memorable read. The reviewer also highlights the novel's ability to make the reader invest in the characters' lives and feel their pain, making it a truly moving experience.

Quick quotes

    The Immortalists is not just a novel about grief; it conjures characters with such dimension that you mourn them too.

    A magic rare enough to make you feel as though you are part of the story.

    The characters are so vividly drawn that their losses feel like your own.

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