Things I Learned While I Was Dead

by Kathryn Clark
Things I Learned While I Was Dead cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
Technical:
  • ID: 390
  • Added: 2025-09-10
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • ISBN: 9780571385874
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2025-07-15
  • Formats: 9
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99

Seventeen-year-old Calico faces a harrowing choice to save her dying sister Asha by joining her in cryogenic preservation, hoping for a future cure. But awakening in a post-climate catastrophe, low-tech world, Calico finds herself trapped in a sinister research facility where Asha is missing and she risks being forced into a breeding program. /n/nKathryn Clark’s debut novel raises profound questions about the ethics of medical science, the consequences of playing god, and the importance of consent in healthcare. Told through Calico’s perspective with poetic interludes from Asha, the story blends dystopian tension with a hopeful vision of a united future, challenging readers to consider the price of survival and the value of life.

Reviews
Faber & Faber · 2025-07-17
haunting 4.75

The novel is described as a haunting and emotionally rich story that explores unexpected relationships and shines a light on the ethical challenges of a dystopian future.

This review praises the novel for its emotional depth and the complex relationships it portrays, particularly focusing on sisterhood and the ethics of medical science in a dystopian setting. It highlights the narrative's ability to surprise readers with relationship dynamics they did not anticipate, adding layers of emotional resonance. The story is recognized for balancing high emotional stakes with thoughtful exploration of futuristic medical ethics, making it a compelling read for those interested in both character-driven and speculative fiction.

Quick quotes

    A haunting tale filled with emotional highs and lows.

    Relationships I didn't see coming.

    Shines a light on ethical challenges in a dystopian future.

Books Up North · 2025-07-02
engaging 4.50

A youthful panel of readers found the novel engaging and appreciated its fresh perspective, emotional intensity, and the ethical questions it raises about medical science and family bonds.

The review from Books Up North highlights the novel's appeal to younger readers through its emotional storytelling and thought-provoking themes. The young reviewers were particularly drawn to the way the book examines the ethics of medical science intertwined with the deep sisterly bond at its heart. They valued the freshness of the narrative voice and the emotional highs and lows that keep the story engaging and relatable for a young adult audience, making it a strong recommendation for readers interested in science fiction that also tackles real-world ethical dilemmas.

Quick quotes

    A refreshingly youthful panel of enthusiastic readers reviewing the novel.

    The book raises important ethical questions about medical science.

    Emotional intensity and family bonds are at the heart of the story.

School Reading List · 2025-06-01
thrilling 4.25

The book is described as a thrilling and realistically dystopian adventure that resonates well with fans of Lauren James, highlighting its intense and believable future setting.

This review emphasizes the novel's ability to captivate readers with a gripping and believable dystopian world. It praises the story for its thrilling pace and the way it realistically explores the consequences of advanced medical science and societal collapse, making it particularly appealing to fans who enjoy intense young adult science fiction with emotional depth. The review suggests that the novel stands out for its combination of emotional engagement and a thought-provoking scenario about sisterhood and survival.

Quick quotes

    Things I Learned While I Was Dead is a thrilling and scarily real dystopian adventure.

    The book will appeal to fans of Lauren James.

    It explores a believable future with intense emotional stakes.

Appears in Lists