Conditional Immortality

by Jack Segreto

In the late 1800s, instead of finding dinner at the seashore, Leopold Cartwright found a freshly-molted lobster. One freak lightning storm later, Leo's life was permanently linked to that of his new lobster friend. Now, as long as "Brick" lives, so does Leo. Over 140 years later, the two are at last coming to the end of their extraordinary lives, and Leo is facing the possibility that his estate will languish with no one to protect it.

In the early 2020s, Wyatt Ellis is a young transgender man on the cusp of adulthood. Raised without a father and by a mother who does not understand him, he has sought out the company of others in his community instead. Confused, aimless, and trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, he befriends the eccentric Leo, not knowing how the friendship will change both of their lives.

Conditional Immortality is a story of friendship, love, and what a telepathic lobster might be able to teach two people who are willing to listen.

130 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2021

About the author

Jack emerged fully formed from the Long Island Sound approximately thirty years ago - a concept, an experience, an omen - and has been in existential agony ever since. He channels that agony into writing, studying library science, and singing songs for customers in the seafood department at a local grocery store where key words are replaced with the names of shellfish.

He lives a relatively quiet life with his husband and dog in a small coastal New England city, where he plans to eventually become mayor (or maybe just a fringe candidate in a tutu). He just released his first novella, and is working on his second. As a transgender creator, his focus is queer fiction.

Reviews

[Tanishq Rajmani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book is simple and classy at the same time. The title is totally apt for this one.

The story resolves around Leopold Cartwright who finds a lobster friend named Brick in the late 1800s. His life becomes linked with Brick. As long as "Brick" lives, so does Leo. After 140 years they both are at the end of their lives.In early 2020s a young transgender named Wyatt Ellis, who was confused and aimless about his life becomes friends with Leo which changes their lives completely. To know what happens next you need to read the book.

Overall this is a really engaging and interesting book which kept me gripped till the end. I wasn't able to put it down once I started reading it. This is an amazing story of love and friendship where a lobster teaches something great to 2 people. The writing style is really and narration is really smooth and engaging which kept my interest throughout and I completed reading it in a few sittings. The language is reader friendly which makes it a great read.Highly recommended from my side. Go for it without a second thought!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story and characters you quickly engage with. The book is sprinkled with facts and you can tell Segreto put research and heart into this tale.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a beautiful story