Brevity: A Meditation on Mortality

Brevity is an ethereal contemplation on mortality and all that goes with it. It is the point of view of an aging professor diagnosed with cancer. He reflects on the steps and mis-steps in his past life--especially the charismatic women with whom he has had relationships of various durations. His reflections drift from medieval kingdoms to contemporary life. He is at times sarcastic, sardonic, and witty. As he drifts through his present-day problems, he spends much time on reviewing his past life and drawing universal lessons for those facing death. In constant pain, he finds comfort in his ＂yellow pills,＂ which doctors grudgingly prescribe. His thoughts at times resemble a surreal opium dream, but he snaps back to the grim reality that he faces as he drifts downward. He has more questions than answers. His profundity springs from his uncanny perception of the ironies embedded in life. He finds no ＂answer,＂ but accepts his fate. Sort of.

About the Author:

Michael Jon Lundell grew up in the San Fernando Valley when it was still semi-rural. He was influenced by three great teachers in high school, one of whom became a famous author under the pen name of William Wharton. He moved to the Bay Area, attending Cal State Hayward, majoring in English and running track (which was his first love). He spent many years working for upscale bookstores like Kepler’s and became a bibliophile who could advise anyone on suitable books to read. In his later years he returned to southern California and composed his magnum opus, Brevity.