Death Wins a Goldfish: A Grim Reaper’s Yearlong Sabbatical
<b>The first book created, written, and drawn by Brian Rea, the illustrator of the<i> New York Times</i> “Modern Love” column</b>
Death works harder than any of us. He’s on the clock day and night. He never calls in sick or takes a day off. So what happens when Human Resources forces Death to take all his unused vacation days at once?
In this humorous and heartfelt book from beloved illustrator Brian Rea, readers take a peek at Death’s journal entries as he documents his mandatory sabbatical in the world of the living. From skydiving to online dating, Death is determined to try it all. And yet, as much as he enjoys taking long walks with his pet goldfish, drinking piña coladas by the pool, and singing karaoke with new friends, he can’t shake the feeling that something is missing….
Packed with visual puns and hilarious juxtapositions, this charming and darkly humorous story is ultimately a serious exploration of how a person should live and a clever and insightful jab at a culture that encourages us to work ourselves to death.
Advance praise:
“Rea’s work is rendered in warm, friendly hues: lemon meringue roller coasters and coral-colored speedboats predominate. Undergirding these cheerful shades is an earnest appeal to that most human of questions: how should one live? The answer, Death finds, is by going out there and doing it.” —Publishers Weekly
About the author:
Brian Rea is an artist and illustrator whose work has been exhibited around the world. He is best known for illustrating the New York Times “Modern Love” column, and his work has also appeared in Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, Men’s Journal, and Time magazine. He has created drawings and designs for books, murals, fashion, posters, animation, and music videos. Brian Rea lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son and is currently an adjunct associate professor at Art Center College of Design.