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My Name is Della and I'm Dead
A hilarious, irreverent and unforgettable romp through the afterlife. You’ll never look at death the same way again. A quick and easy read! Della’s life had never been what one would call exciting. As she approached her forty-third birthday, she had all but given up on the hope of romance, the prospect of starting a family and the possibility of anything out of the ordinary ever happening. If not for her job, her beloved dog, her best friend Penny, her love of Barry Manilow music and cold Chardonnay, she may never have chosen to get out of bed. However, as Della learns, nothing will make you appreciate your own life more than your own death! Her unforgettable experiences in the afterlife are sure to make you laugh out loud as well as to reevaluate what death and life really mean. My Name is Della and I’m Dead is as humorous as it is thought-provoking. Please note that portions of this novel do contain curse words and some mild adult themes.
206 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2015
508 people want to read
About the author
Erik Volk
1 book13 followersErik Volk was born and raised in the little state of Rhode Island, spent ten years in the big city of Seattle and now makes his home in a tiny town in Vermont where big things sometimes happen. Erik finds humor in every day life and in addition to being an author, he has used is humor as a facilitator, stand-up comic and actor.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 11, 2015
This book was really, really good ! It was a fun story with terrific characters and a very original take on life after death. It kind of had a Sookie Stackhouse vibe going which I loved having read all of Charlaine Harris' books. I am hoping for more tales of Della and her friends in the future !
October 2, 2015
An Energized Version of the Afterlife.
Della is dead, but certainly not forgotten. Not by her best friend, Penny, her dog Barry, or her pot-smoking, gun-toting mother who is living her “New-Age-in-her-old-age” lifestyle down in Florida. And especially not forgotten by her old friend, Cindy, whom she wronged when they were young co-workers.
An Energized Version of the Afterlife.
This is why Della cannot relax and enjoy her afterlife. Because this wrong must be made right. But her old friend, Cindy, does not want the stolen money back. She wants Della to put on a haunting fright-fest for her loser husband, in hopes that some kind of poltergeist freak show will scare him into leaving for good.
There is nothing overtly graphic in this tale, though there is some strong language and adult themes throughout. If you are curious about what could possibly happen after we leave this plane of existence, this author's take on the afterlife is wildly funny and full of "energy." A very funny read.
August 15, 2015
Who knew death could be so fun? Join Della, the likable nerd (think Tina Fey mets Rose Nilan) who discovers that death is not as final as she thought. Della can still watch and impact the lives of those she left behind. A quick but delightful read!
November 6, 2015
If you, like me, are attracted to this book because of the cover then you’re in for a treat because the whimsy and fun that it promises is definitely delivered. Della, a newly dead woman is now in her not-so-afterlife, and while she’s gone she’s not forgotten by the people she left behind. And even though she’s just a ghost she still has things to do on this plane despite the state of her mortal coil.
As for my opinion on the strengths of the book all I can say is that I’s fun and interesting. There are so few original, fresh takes on death, and this one definitely qualifies. Although I also really liked the characters. Della’s mom and friends were extremely original and had a depth that most other supporting casts lack. And they don’t always make sense in the way that we, the reader, or Della, the protag, would expect. But it’s this uniqueness, along with their own quirks, that makes them so vivid and rich.
And of course there are some adult moments that might make the prudes among us blush, but I say butch up, because in the talented hands of Mr. Volk apparently death is a lot like life; more fun when it’s out of your control
As for my opinion on the strengths of the book all I can say is that I’s fun and interesting. There are so few original, fresh takes on death, and this one definitely qualifies. Although I also really liked the characters. Della’s mom and friends were extremely original and had a depth that most other supporting casts lack. And they don’t always make sense in the way that we, the reader, or Della, the protag, would expect. But it’s this uniqueness, along with their own quirks, that makes them so vivid and rich.
And of course there are some adult moments that might make the prudes among us blush, but I say butch up, because in the talented hands of Mr. Volk apparently death is a lot like life; more fun when it’s out of your control
September 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book so much! An adorably hilarious story, focusing on the idea of life after death. What we think we know, and what we really have no idea at all about...the author's writing is quirky and humorous, but well-planned and skillful. This story was so cleverly crafted; I was impressed! As someone who normally reads dark and angsty books, I happily read this book, relishing every minute of it. What's amazing is how the author can take a depressing topic like death and dying, and turn it into this uplifting and hilarious read. I'm so excited about this author and eager to go look for his other books. His style and wit were admirable. The story itself is stellar. Easily 5 stars for me!
October 15, 2015
I so wish a ouiji board had autocorrect – how funny would that be? Great book, I loved the way the afterlife became an adventure (and why shouldn’t it be), and more entertaining than life.
Following Della as she switched forms, invaded inanimate objects, coped with her crazy family and even weirder characters had me smiling every time I turned the page. The Pink Ladies, inspirational, who doesn’t need to be part of gang when you’re dead? How else are you going to find your way through the maze of communicating with the living.
Channeling Siri, that had me chortling too :-)
Following Della as she switched forms, invaded inanimate objects, coped with her crazy family and even weirder characters had me smiling every time I turned the page. The Pink Ladies, inspirational, who doesn’t need to be part of gang when you’re dead? How else are you going to find your way through the maze of communicating with the living.
Channeling Siri, that had me chortling too :-)
July 27, 2015
Entertaining and imaginative !
A well written and imaginative take on the afterlife. A quick and enjoyable read. I look forward to more adventures with Della and her energetic friends.
A well written and imaginative take on the afterlife. A quick and enjoyable read. I look forward to more adventures with Della and her energetic friends.
September 9, 2015
A beautiful conceptualization of the afterlife, exquisite in its hilarity. A deliciously original story, cleverly written, light and humorously engaging. In its genre truly well deserving of a five star rating.
September 30, 2015
Fun read. I love Erik 's sense of humor. Looking forward to the sequel!
August 24, 2025
Honestly hilarious. I hate tropes and lazy, unoriginal writing and this book had none of that. It was fresh and funny, a perfect summer read!
October 26, 2015
Della is forty three, a project manager at an insurance company and an avid fan of Barry Manilow. After she dies in a car crash her sister-in-law, Janet, visits a psychic in an attempt to contact Della and this sets off the chain of hilarious events in this very funny book.
Through Suzie, the psychic, an event from Della's past is revealed; a secret which, up until this point, nobody else has known about.
In death, Della is helped and advised by an assorted group of female spirits, the Pink Ladies, who watch with interest Della's efforts to contact the living world.
Della's death affects many people in more ways than she could ever have imagined.
The book is packed with eccentric and original characters. At the age of seventy one, Della's mother has transformed herself and now sells handmade sun hats in Florida. Cindy, a co-worker from Della's past, appears to have undergone a personality change, and not for the better. Penny, Della's loyal friend, a determined non-believer in the afterlife, is forced to question her beliefs. And Janet, with her perfect life and family, gets more than she bargains for when she contacts the psychic. The scenes with Hank, a tow truck driver who has a secret life involving a trailer filled with dolls, are hilarious.
This book is original, well written and unpredictable. The ending is unexpected but works very well.
Highly recommended.
Through Suzie, the psychic, an event from Della's past is revealed; a secret which, up until this point, nobody else has known about.
In death, Della is helped and advised by an assorted group of female spirits, the Pink Ladies, who watch with interest Della's efforts to contact the living world.
Della's death affects many people in more ways than she could ever have imagined.
The book is packed with eccentric and original characters. At the age of seventy one, Della's mother has transformed herself and now sells handmade sun hats in Florida. Cindy, a co-worker from Della's past, appears to have undergone a personality change, and not for the better. Penny, Della's loyal friend, a determined non-believer in the afterlife, is forced to question her beliefs. And Janet, with her perfect life and family, gets more than she bargains for when she contacts the psychic. The scenes with Hank, a tow truck driver who has a secret life involving a trailer filled with dolls, are hilarious.
This book is original, well written and unpredictable. The ending is unexpected but works very well.
Highly recommended.
October 21, 2015
The cover and title made me curious enough to read this one, and I wasn't disappointed. Such a unique story, it drew me right in and kept me captive until I turned the last page. What a creative mind, Erik Volk has. Most of us have our own ideas - hopes, doubts, fears - about the afterlife, the mystery, the unknown. Della's journey is a new take for me but one I think I could live with, wait, not live with??? ha ha
Interesting, thought provoking, funny, and an enjoyable read. I recommend this story.
Interesting, thought provoking, funny, and an enjoyable read. I recommend this story.
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February 12, 2016Entertaining
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews