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The Death of Death
"A sad, yet heartwarming tale of a young girl and her death guide, and the story they share. An interesting tale that will leave you wondering about what happens when we die. I really enjoyed the idea behind this book as it is a question that we all ask at some time in our lives." -- Readers' Favorite
"The Death of Death by K. N. Parker is a gorgeous fairytale like story that is equal parts haunting and beautiful... Parker manages to weave this truly dark tale in a tone that can only be described as sweet... The amount of imagery in this book was great from the description of the guides to the world around them..."
-- Online Book Club
SYNOPSIS:
Death guides usually have rather normal names like John, Mary, Harry, and Jessica. And even ones not quite so normal, like Bartholomew or Ambrosia. They also have the most interesting tales behind their deaths. But one particular death guide has a few problems: she cannot remember her name or the details of her demise, and thus has no story of her own. One fateful night, she meets a young girl that may change her death forever.
Inspired by and in the style of Children's tales of old, The Death of Death is a tragic, yet sweet little tale about loss and acceptance.
Suitable for ages 12 and up.
"The Death of Death by K. N. Parker is a gorgeous fairytale like story that is equal parts haunting and beautiful... Parker manages to weave this truly dark tale in a tone that can only be described as sweet... The amount of imagery in this book was great from the description of the guides to the world around them..."
-- Online Book Club
SYNOPSIS:
Death guides usually have rather normal names like John, Mary, Harry, and Jessica. And even ones not quite so normal, like Bartholomew or Ambrosia. They also have the most interesting tales behind their deaths. But one particular death guide has a few problems: she cannot remember her name or the details of her demise, and thus has no story of her own. One fateful night, she meets a young girl that may change her death forever.
Inspired by and in the style of Children's tales of old, The Death of Death is a tragic, yet sweet little tale about loss and acceptance.
Suitable for ages 12 and up.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
153 people are currently reading
677 people want to read
About the author
K.N. Parker
3 books59 followersK. N. Parker is a simple AWARD-WINNING author in his thirties, and was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.
He has three self-published works which, for the most part, people think are pretty nifty.
He is currently working on two full-length novels and a script.
He shares heritages with two countries: America and Japan, and he spends his time between the two whenever possible. When in his late teens he thought it proper to teach himself Japanese, and so he did, and now can communicate with you in two ways, if applicable. When not writing or creating trouble in various coffee shops throughout the world, he enjoys graphic design, television, film, and absurdist, subtle, and very sarcastic comedy.
He also likes dogs.
He has three self-published works which, for the most part, people think are pretty nifty.
He is currently working on two full-length novels and a script.
He shares heritages with two countries: America and Japan, and he spends his time between the two whenever possible. When in his late teens he thought it proper to teach himself Japanese, and so he did, and now can communicate with you in two ways, if applicable. When not writing or creating trouble in various coffee shops throughout the world, he enjoys graphic design, television, film, and absurdist, subtle, and very sarcastic comedy.
He also likes dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 31, 2016
One dreary night, a small, slim figure draped all in black arrived in a room rather inconspicuously in a cloud of dark smoke and what can only be described as dozens of little sparks, quite like the sparks you see when you touch someone or something after rubbing your sock covered feet on a shaggy rug.
The room the figure had just appeared in was rather dark, save for an eerie glow from a large square shaped hole, no doubt a window, in front of which sat a similar small and bald silhouette looking up into the cloudy night sky.
The figure cleared her throat before quietly calling out, “Miss Wilkinson?” The small silhouette did not move. The figure in black tried once more.
LOVED this one.. a quirky little tale, a bit dark but also fun:)
Once a certain revelation and the ending came by, it was hard to keep myself from crying at work, but it also put a smile on my face as well.
Would recommend :)
The room the figure had just appeared in was rather dark, save for an eerie glow from a large square shaped hole, no doubt a window, in front of which sat a similar small and bald silhouette looking up into the cloudy night sky.
The figure cleared her throat before quietly calling out, “Miss Wilkinson?” The small silhouette did not move. The figure in black tried once more.
LOVED this one.. a quirky little tale, a bit dark but also fun:)
Once a certain revelation and the ending came by, it was hard to keep myself from crying at work, but it also put a smile on my face as well.
Would recommend :)
July 4, 2016
Author K.N. Parker’s 31-page short story tells the story of a diminutive self-described “death guide” who finds out quite a bit about her own life and death while trying to help a cancer-stricken little girl. Poignant.
Special thanks to Birchsilver, who recommended this book so highly — even though I didn’t feel the similarity to The Little Prince as strongly as you did.
Special thanks to Birchsilver, who recommended this book so highly — even though I didn’t feel the similarity to The Little Prince as strongly as you did.
January 10, 2015
Funny, sweet, cute, and with just a smidgen of gory detail.
Just read it.
Just read it.
January 6, 2015
A death has come for miss Tabitha Wilkinson. Not THE death, but one of his emissaries a small with a mask covering its tiny face. The death is suprised that the girl is not more alarmed or even scared of her as people usually are when she informs them of their imminent demise.
Tabitha shrugs it off stating that she cant change her fate so why worry? And continues to asks the death a lot of questions about its profession and the afterlife.The death answers them all and then starts to leave when the girl asks her final question-
How did you die? What is your story?” Tabitha asked once again.
“I… I…” This seemed to cause the figure some distress of her own. She thought and thought but could not for the life of her, or death of her rather, conjure an answer. “I do not have a story. I cannot remember,” she finally said, and Tabitha grew sad once more. “I really must be going, Miss Wilkinson.”
“Before your next visit, guide…” Tabitha started before the figure had a chance to move “… I want you to find out how you died and how you came to be in this position, and I also want you to find out your real name. And then I want you to tell me your findings when you return.
Can you do that for me, guide?”
The little death for some reason she doesnt understand agrees to try but no matter how she tries cant recall her name or even what caused her to die so she goes to ask someone who will know.
Death himself.
I picked up this free from Kindle on the offchance that it would turn out ok but I really didnt expect much from it and found myself pleasantly suprised that it was a little gem.
If you only judged "The death of Death" on its title you would assume that it was a grotesque and morbid story but instead it turned out to be a beautiful little story that has its fair share of gentle humor to lighten up things. Its more than a little bit sad and tragic but the ending was just perfect.
I had an inkling about who the little death was but still it didnt diminish the story.
Go ahead and pick it this for free its such a little story after.
Tabitha shrugs it off stating that she cant change her fate so why worry? And continues to asks the death a lot of questions about its profession and the afterlife.The death answers them all and then starts to leave when the girl asks her final question-
How did you die? What is your story?” Tabitha asked once again.
“I… I…” This seemed to cause the figure some distress of her own. She thought and thought but could not for the life of her, or death of her rather, conjure an answer. “I do not have a story. I cannot remember,” she finally said, and Tabitha grew sad once more. “I really must be going, Miss Wilkinson.”
“Before your next visit, guide…” Tabitha started before the figure had a chance to move “… I want you to find out how you died and how you came to be in this position, and I also want you to find out your real name. And then I want you to tell me your findings when you return.
Can you do that for me, guide?”
The little death for some reason she doesnt understand agrees to try but no matter how she tries cant recall her name or even what caused her to die so she goes to ask someone who will know.
Death himself.
I picked up this free from Kindle on the offchance that it would turn out ok but I really didnt expect much from it and found myself pleasantly suprised that it was a little gem.
If you only judged "The death of Death" on its title you would assume that it was a grotesque and morbid story but instead it turned out to be a beautiful little story that has its fair share of gentle humor to lighten up things. Its more than a little bit sad and tragic but the ending was just perfect.
I had an inkling about who the little death was but still it didnt diminish the story.
Go ahead and pick it this for free its such a little story after.
October 6, 2016
Even when it's a short story...I love it...pretty well done written and the story in itself is really good...I was kind of disappointed when I realized it was short...but just couldn't stop reading it...
If you have some spare time...read it...you will enjoy it for sure...
If you have some spare time...read it...you will enjoy it for sure...
August 31, 2017
First of all this is the type of book that I would expect to see my sister reading before she tries to shove it off on me but instead this is one of those free Kindle finds that somewhat pricked my interest. Strange little cover illustration and the interesting title are the only things that still attract me to this work now that I have read it.
Basically the book reminded me in a roundabout way another book that I had read when I was younger that also was about psychopomps although these were little red imp-like things while this takes in actual spirits of the dead. Furthermore the story is quite similar to the old story of Ares being caught in a jar and then following fairytale-type stories where either Death or Satan are tricked then bound up by some cunning human although this one has more of a twist than those earlier reads.
Unfortunately there really isn't much of a plot but then again it is a short story and probably due to the nature of having read so many stories plus some of the rather more obvious clues it was easy to guess where this story was going to go. As a result I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't much to catch the mind and a bit more mystery to it than what was provided.
In the end it was a nice and quick read so one that isn't too painful to finish for those who like to finish what they start. As for me I didn't enjoy it nor do I think I want to return to reading it again thus I cannot think of an audience who may enjoy this particular yet slightly gruesome tale.
Basically the book reminded me in a roundabout way another book that I had read when I was younger that also was about psychopomps although these were little red imp-like things while this takes in actual spirits of the dead. Furthermore the story is quite similar to the old story of Ares being caught in a jar and then following fairytale-type stories where either Death or Satan are tricked then bound up by some cunning human although this one has more of a twist than those earlier reads.
Unfortunately there really isn't much of a plot but then again it is a short story and probably due to the nature of having read so many stories plus some of the rather more obvious clues it was easy to guess where this story was going to go. As a result I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't much to catch the mind and a bit more mystery to it than what was provided.
In the end it was a nice and quick read so one that isn't too painful to finish for those who like to finish what they start. As for me I didn't enjoy it nor do I think I want to return to reading it again thus I cannot think of an audience who may enjoy this particular yet slightly gruesome tale.
August 27, 2017
Sweet and sad at the same time but also heartwarming made me tear up. Wouldn't mind more stories visiting this realm and it's inhabitants.
January 11, 2020
Tried three times to read this, and each time it doesn't grab me. Sorry book, it's me not you.
August 24, 2017
Beautifully tragic.
Such a short story about death. So beautifully sad at the end. Really makes you think about what truly happens to you when you die.
Such a short story about death. So beautifully sad at the end. Really makes you think about what truly happens to you when you die.
owned-on-kindle
July 13, 2017Ooh, free on kindle at the moment! (14th of July, 2017)
December 17, 2017
What a dark lovely story
Well written short story! The author is able to, in a few pages, construct a beautiful narrative that keeps you guessing and makes you fall in love for the main character. It's a story about death that somehow left me feeling hopeful and warm when it ended.
Well written short story! The author is able to, in a few pages, construct a beautiful narrative that keeps you guessing and makes you fall in love for the main character. It's a story about death that somehow left me feeling hopeful and warm when it ended.
November 6, 2019
Nice little read
November 8, 2018
Clever and heart felt.
December 22, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I quite enjoyed this book. It was quite short, at only 32 pages, but it managed to stuff a lot of story into not a lot of words, and it was paced quite well.
It begins with the death guide meeting a young girl who has cancer, and telling her she will die in only a couple days' time. The girl takes the news quite well, but she continues to ask the death guide all sorts of questions. The guide is not usually asked questions, so these spark her own curiosity. She then returns home, and no one can tell her who she is or how she died, only how they did.
I thought the story was fascinating. It's tragic and sad, and me reading it under the covers when it would be wiser to be asleep, it was creepy and haunting. It is such a different story than anything else I've seen, though, and it will probably continue to poke at my thoughts for a while yet.
Overall, it was just very thought-provoking and sweet. Definitely a quick, easy read, but not one you'll forget as fast as you can read it. It is currently free on Amazon, so for those of you (like me) looking for something to move along your Goodreads Challenge, or just to read something quickly, I'd definitely recommend it! (The author did not ask me to say that, I just thought I'd throw it in there.) :-) Originally posted on Every Book You Need to Read and More.
I quite enjoyed this book. It was quite short, at only 32 pages, but it managed to stuff a lot of story into not a lot of words, and it was paced quite well.
It begins with the death guide meeting a young girl who has cancer, and telling her she will die in only a couple days' time. The girl takes the news quite well, but she continues to ask the death guide all sorts of questions. The guide is not usually asked questions, so these spark her own curiosity. She then returns home, and no one can tell her who she is or how she died, only how they did.
I thought the story was fascinating. It's tragic and sad, and me reading it under the covers when it would be wiser to be asleep, it was creepy and haunting. It is such a different story than anything else I've seen, though, and it will probably continue to poke at my thoughts for a while yet.
Overall, it was just very thought-provoking and sweet. Definitely a quick, easy read, but not one you'll forget as fast as you can read it. It is currently free on Amazon, so for those of you (like me) looking for something to move along your Goodreads Challenge, or just to read something quickly, I'd definitely recommend it! (The author did not ask me to say that, I just thought I'd throw it in there.) :-) Originally posted on Every Book You Need to Read and More.
February 13, 2013
Dark, gothic, macabre and quirky-themed. The author blend themes of fantasy and horror in the most beautiful way possible! The essence of Tim Burton-esque definitely catches me with its tragedy combined with whimsy. The author's dark, shadowy and bizarre characters pulls me with its emotion. This story is highly recommended!
I cried a little, laugh a little and I wonder how death can be so beautiful! This may be just a short story, but it's a short story to be loved by everyone. That I can assure you.
I cried a little, laugh a little and I wonder how death can be so beautiful! This may be just a short story, but it's a short story to be loved by everyone. That I can assure you.
October 7, 2013
A young guide in death is unable to recall anything about her living self. She is sent to retrieve the soul of a dying young girl who asks as a favor for the guide's life story. This starts a tour of discovery for the young guide.
5 STARS
5 STARS
December 7, 2018
Clever little short story, although had a potential to be double the size and a little more in depth. Regardless, an interesting idea which is implemented well and has the potential to hit you in the feels. I'd say 10-12+, with the potential for some interesting discussion points with children.
December 31, 2017
I really enjoyed this. It was sad but cute and had a good plot.
January 4, 2015
I would definitely read more things by this author. There is so much potential in the premise on which this book is written. Nice twist too, good entertainment.
January 26, 2017
Nice short story with quite a sweet ending
October 30, 2016
A lovely story of forgiveness and finding yourself. well worth a quick read
June 13, 2017
Beautifully Tragic
There was absolutely nothing about this story that I didn't love. The writing style made the characters flow from he pages and I couldn't stop reading. The plot was original and I wish that there was more to read. It was heartbreakingly beautiful and had me smiling with tears streaming down my cheeks at my desk at work. I cannot wait to read more of this author's works!
There was absolutely nothing about this story that I didn't love. The writing style made the characters flow from he pages and I couldn't stop reading. The plot was original and I wish that there was more to read. It was heartbreakingly beautiful and had me smiling with tears streaming down my cheeks at my desk at work. I cannot wait to read more of this author's works!
June 20, 2017
Thought provoking
I really enjoyed this and will look forward to reading more of this writers work. A few tears, a deep and thoughtful story
I really enjoyed this and will look forward to reading more of this writers work. A few tears, a deep and thoughtful story
July 28, 2017
Funny short story about death and life as it ends. Enjoyed it a lot!
November 8, 2017
A lovely novella with an interesting take on death and dying, especially the afterlife and those who work there. Well worth giving a read.
December 5, 2017
Ethereal
A very sad story, yet uplifting. It explores different realms of being and where people go who have died tragically.
A very sad story, yet uplifting. It explores different realms of being and where people go who have died tragically.
January 29, 2018
Sweet, grim little tale
This story reminded me of the worlds created by Tim Burton. The prose flowed in a delightful, at times poetic style.
This story reminded me of the worlds created by Tim Burton. The prose flowed in a delightful, at times poetic style.
April 3, 2018
Absolutely beautifully written so smooth and sweet this book would be good for all ages.. A short story maybe 40 pages but alot said in this little book..Go support this author his writing is amazing..Parker does his own art work and what a great job he does, he has work hard and it shows on covers and in his books..Recommend to all ages.. Gina Clabo
September 16, 2019
Great short, but heartfelt, story
A lovely story that caught my attention due to its mixed vibe of Burton and Gaiman. I read it during a quick flight to New Orleans.
A lovely story that caught my attention due to its mixed vibe of Burton and Gaiman. I read it during a quick flight to New Orleans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews