Passage [Paperback]

Most of us would rather not spend a lot of time contemplating death, but the characters in Connie Willis's novel Passage make a living at it. Joanna Lander is a medical researcher specialising in Near Death Experiences (NDEs) and how the brain constructs them. Her partner in this endeavour is Richard Wright, a single-minded scientist who induces NDEs in healthy people by injecting a compound that tricks the brain into thinking it's dying. Joanna and Richard team up and try to find test subjects whose ability to report their experiences objectively hasn't been wrecked by reading the books of pop-psychologist and hospital gadabout Maurice Mandrake. Mandrake has gained fame and fortune by convincing people that they can expect light, warmth, and welcoming loved ones once they die. Joanna and Richard try to quantify NDEs in more scientific terms, a frustrating exercise to say the least.

The brain cells started to die within moments of death. By the end of four to six minutes the damage was irreversible, and people brought back from death after that didn't talk about tunnels and life reviews. They didn't talk at all... But if the dying were facing annihilation, why didn't they say, "It's over!" or, "I'm shutting down"?... Why did they say, "It's beautiful over there," and, "I'm coming, Mother!"

When Joanna decides to become a test subject and see an NDE firsthand, she discovers that death is more and less than she expected. Readers are in for some shocks as Willis reveals the secrets and mysteries of the afterlife. Unfortunately, several running gags--the maze-like complexity of the hospital, Mandrake's oily sales pitch and a tiresomely talkative World War II veteran--threaten the pace of the story near the middle. But don't stop reading. We expect a lot from Willis because she's so good, and Passage's payoff is incredible--the ending will leave you breathless, and more than a little haunted. Passage masterfully blends tragedy, humour and fear in an unforgettable meditation on humanity and death. --Therese Littleton, Amazon.com

‘A compelling story on an irresistable theme … a profound and haunting parable’ LOCUS

‘Passage masterfully blends tragedy, humour and fear in an unforgettable mediation on humanity and death’ Amazon

‘Deep matters are discussed whilst a gripping story unwinds…a remarkably good and unsettling book…the ending alone should have you thinking for years to come.’ SFX

‘Once again, Willis has developed an idea that bears all the authority of a genuine insight: disturbingly plausible, compelling, intensely moving, and ultimately uplifting’ Kirkus

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Sci-fi thriller exploring our greatest journey and our greatest mystery – death itself – from the winner of both the Hugo and the Nebula awards.

Joanna Lander, a medical intern, is fascinated by death, and specifically by the accounts of those who have died and been resucitated – those who have had NDEs or Near Death Experiences. Also interested in this field are Maurice Mandrake, author of a number of cringe-making bestsellers at the loony end of the subject, and Dr Richard Wright who is researching the brain activity and chemicals produced when NDEs occur. He believes that if the right chemical triggers can be located, heart-attack and trauma patients can be brought back from the edge of death – and he has managed to simulate the right conditions to test his hypothesis. Wooed by both men, Joanna elects to work with Richard, much to Maurice’s dismay.

Together they test and record dozens of patients and Joann begins to recognize a bizarre pattern to many of their accounts. Beyond the light at the end of the tunnel are people in long white gowns and white uniforms; not angels but something else, something far more familiar and tangible. People seem to be sharing a common image bank – and many of them report turning up on a very large sinking ship. Sceptical, and believing her subjects to be confabulating, Joanna puts herself into the programme – and turns up on the Titanic! Is it real or a metaphor? Does it mean anything significant, or did the movie capture too many people’s imagination? In a tremendously powerful and unexpected plot twist Joanna is about to make the awfully big adventure for real.

Joanna Lander, a medical intern, is fascinated by death, and specifically by the accounts of those who have died and been resucitated – those who have had NDEs or Near Death Experiences. Also interested in this field are Maurice Mandrake, author of a number of cringe-making bestsellers at the loony end of the subject, and Dr Richard Wright who is researching the brain activity and chemicals produced when NDEs occur. He believes that if the right chemical triggers can be located, heart-attack and trauma patients can be brought back from the edge of death – and he has managed to simulate the right conditions to test his hypothesis. Wooed by both men, Joanna elects to work with Richard, much to Maurice’s dismay.

Together they test and record dozens of patients and Joann begins to recognize a bizarre pattern to many of their accounts. Beyond the light at the end of the tunnel are people in long white gowns and white uniforms; not angels but something else, something far more familiar and tangible. People seem to be sharing a common image bank – and many of them report turning up on a very large sinking ship. Sceptical, and believing her subjects to be confabulating, Joanna puts herself into the programme – and turns up on the Titanic! Is it real or a metaphor? Does it mean anything significant, or did the movie capture too many people’s imagination? In a tremendously powerful and unexpected plot twist Joanna is about to make the awfully big adventure for real.

Connie Willis is an established author of many science fiction books, including THE DOOMSDAY BOOK, and winner of both the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award for best sf novel.