Half-Lives

by Jason Dias

A car accident separates two lovers. Yvonne knows her husband is dead. She signs for the body. But she has the feeling something has gone wrong. Valery lives when she sleeps, half a life in the shadows of hers, just as aware that the universe has taken a left turn. Meanwhile, Yvonne's brother, Isaac Asimov's biggest fan, is trapped between two worlds - and in his own madness. As the future approaches, everyone moves towards one event: the future causing their pasts.

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2016

About the author

Jason Dias is a neurodivergent existential psychologist - that is, an autistic man whose fascination with the human condition led him to an advanced degree in said condition.​

His work in speculative fiction is united by literary, existential themes. Rather than publish scholarly works to be read only by scholars who already agree with the author, Jason's early obsession with Asimov, Heinlein, and later Stephen King showed him another way to express philosophical thoughts. Novels and short stories are more accessible than academic journals.

Besides, he's been known to say, "If I have a choice between writing in APA style and being punched in the face, I ask, 'How hard?'"

Central to his existentialist philosophy is the notion that hope is only possible through despair. If we are unwilling to engage with truth and our harder emotions, our hope is merely wishful thinking.

"It doesn't really get better," he says. "But we do."