Dead And Buried

In a world where the living often take themselves far too seriously, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro’s “Dead and Buried” emerges like a slightly damp, middle-aged uncle at a wedding—unpredictable, slightly uncomfortable, and vaguely entertaining. Published in the illustrious year of 1980, this gem from Warner Books invites you to journey into a narrative that seemingly forgot to check its watch and is perpetually lost in the labyrinth of time.

Picture this: a plot that might just be the literary equivalent of a vintage 70s polyester suit—an eye-catching mix of bizarre, droll, and just a touch outdated. The book teases with the promise of intrigue, yet its pages flutter with the grace of a confused moth around a flickering bulb; one can’t help but wonder if Yarbro was merely warming up for an even quirkier project.

As you leaf through these pages, you may find yourself pondering the existential crisis of its characters, who seem caught between the realms of the living and the not-so-living. The narrative feels like a family reunion where everyone’s had one too many cups of tea, and the secrets come spilling out like overcooked spaghetti. But fear not! This isn’t just a story of souls caught in limbo; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of irony and charm, where the dead might just be the least of your worries.

The 80s were a time of great experimentation in literature, and Yarbro’s work is no exception. It waltzes through a mélange of genres that leave one scratching their head, wondering if a plot even exists or if it’s merely a series of delightful asides. Be prepared to encounter a kaleidoscope of characters—each more eccentric than the last—who seem to have emerged from a slightly warped version of your grandmother’s attic. Here’s a tantalizing glimpse of what to expect:

• Characters whose backstories could fill a parking lot of abandoned cars.
• Dialogue that dances on the edge of absurdity, often tripping over its own feet.
• Settings that might remind you of a dream you had after eating too much cheese before bed.
• Plot twists that twist and turn like a rollercoaster in a funhouse.
• A subtle commentary on the nature of death that will leave you chuckling nervously.

Condition: Used, this book bears the marks of its travels through time and space—perhaps a coffee stain here, a folded corner there. It’s the perfect companion for those who appreciate the aesthetics of imperfection, embodying the spirit of the second-hand, the slightly crumpled, and the delightfully unexpected. It’s the kind of book that whispers, “I have stories to tell,” but only if you listen closely enough through the creaks of its spine.

So why not take a chance on “Dead and Buried,” a title that evokes curiosity and perhaps a slight shiver down your spine? It’s the kind of read that will leave you questioning not just the characters’ fates, but also your own life choices—specifically the choice to pick up a book with such a morose title from Crappy Old Books. Yet, in this delightful dance of irony and quirk, you might just find your own sense of humor buried deep within its pages, waiting to be unearthed.

Join Yarbro on this whimsical journey where the dead are not so much dead as they are merely misunderstood, and where buried emotions rise to the surface in a flurry of comic chaos. It’s a book that dares you not to laugh at the absurdity of it all, and who knows? You might just find yourself as charmed as a cat in a sunbeam, if not quite entirely dead and buried.

There is an existing stamp in this book for The Book Case, a used book shop in Clearwater Florida. I wonder if they are still there?

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