Summary of On a Pale Horse, by Piers Anthony

Dive into the surreal journey of Zane in 'On a Pale Horse' by Piers Anthony, where death becomes a job and humor meets existential crisis.

Welcome to the wild and surreal ride of On a Pale Horse, the first installment in the Incarnations of Immortality series by Piers Anthony. Here, we enter a world where death is more than just an unfortunate consequence of life; it's a job, and it's got benefits-if you can call them that. Spoiler alert: we'll delve into some significant plot points ahead, so if you haven't read the book yet, consider this your heads-up!

Let's kick things off with our main character, Zane. If you're ever feeling down about your job, think of Zane, a man burdened with the unfortunate distinction of being a total loser. He's got a sunny disposition-if that sun were obscured by dark clouds-and spends most of his time in a funk heavy enough to rival a Monday morning. Despite the heavy vibes, he stumbles into a celestial career change when he unwittingly becomes the new Death. You see, Death (the former one-not the joyful and whimsical kind) has decided to take an early retirement, and Zane is the lucky (unlucky?) candidate to wear the grim reaper's cape.

Now, before you think he's just going to be all grim and gloomy, Piers Anthony introduces some delightful flair! Death, as it turns out, has a very bureaucratic and somewhat bureaucratic twist. Zane learns that in order to fulfill his new duties, he must ride a pale horse (surprise, surprise) and deal with all those pesky souls that can't quite seem to make it to the afterlife. Talk about an existential crisis! If you think your job is tough, try collecting souls from the living while dodging angry ghosts and managing a roster of deceased personalities.

As the story plods along (and believe me, it plods), Zane starts figuring out the ropes of being Death, navigating through the bureaucracy of the afterlife that would make any corporate office look like a cakewalk. He quickly learns that it's not all fun and games; he's got to balance soul collection with the surprising insight that death is not just a goodbye but a necessary part of the cosmic order. Who knew? Spoiler alert again: he begins to develop a sort of conscience and even questions his new role.

The book also dives into some philosophical chit-chat, alongside the occasional comic moment-like when Zane considers going back to his old job but realizes he might just prefer dealing with the dead rather than facing his previous life of mediocrity. Meanwhile, we meet other characters like Time and Fate, because why not? Who doesn't need an ensemble cast of supernatural beings for a bit of divine comedic relief?

On a Pale Horse doesn't just serve up grim reapers and angst. It delves into deep and sometimes quirky themes like mortality, the nature of good versus evil, and the unpredictability of life and death-all while Zane awkwardly manages his new responsibilities. Yes, there's a fair amount of drama, but it's all wrapped up in a strange humor that's so Piers Anthony.

So, if you're interested in a quirky take on the afterlife, bureaucracy, and one man's not-so-glamorous ascent to become a deity of sorts, strap in for On a Pale Horse. Just remember, in this story, don't expect a neat ending with pretty bows; it's more of a cosmic rollercoaster filled with unexpected twists and turns, much like Zane's life. And as the book shows us, sometimes when you're faced with the existential dread of being a reaper, all you can do is laugh (or cry). Enjoy the ride, and don't forget to wave at the souls as you pass by!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.