Postcards From A Dead Girl: A Novel [Paperback]

Sid is going crazy. Not only does he have the truly monotonous job of being a telemarketer for a travel agency (where his overly enthusiastic boss constantly offers encouragement over the headsets), but he's also slowly becoming a bit unhinged and neurotic. To the point that he's apologizing to his dog for being out too late - and feeling truly bad about it. He's obsessed with car washes and goes through them over and over again. He loves mud baths. He's a hypochondriac and constantly calling his sister, who is a doctor, for advice. And this is all because his ex-girlfriend, Zoe, has been sending him postcards from her European adventure. The thing is, Zoe has disappeared. And the postcards? They're marked a year ago. Although he knows he can't find her, Sid uses his traveling connections and plans his own jaunt through Europe.

The book brings readers through Sid's mind and out again as he tries to figure out not just this mystery with Zoe, but, ultimately, himself. In a funny, odd, and sometimes macabre book, Kirk Farber points out the mundane parts of life, and the everyday adventures that make them tolerable.

This book is genuinely interesting, in an ordinary sort of way. That is - Farber has an amazing talent of making ordinary moments interesting. Sid could be any other hypochondriac, but you like him. You also don't find it weird that he talks to the spirit of his dead mother, which, apparently, now inhabits a wine bottle. See? Things like that aren't weird in this book.

Sid is a likable main character just trying to get by - and figure out his ultimate mystery: where Zoe is, if she's alive, and why he's getting postcards a year later. It's all very mysterious - and really addictive. The book is an easy read - the writing is superb - and flows nicely, keeping you interested in the next chapter, next page. And when Sid embarks on his journey to Europe to find out just what's going on, you want to be there with him, cheering him on. It's that life-changing venture that you just want to see how it plays out.

It's a fun and often funny read. Definitely a great book to pick up.

I read a lot. I enjoy almost everything I read--some books more than others. I'm really sorry to say that this is one book I didn't enjoy. I didn't find anything funny about it. Just the opposite. It's sad to read about a guy falling apart. Gerald and Zero are the only two interesting characters. Maybe this is a guys book that most women can't understand. Thank goodness it's a short book.

I don't think some of the people who wrote reviews actually read the book. If you read through some of them carefully you'll find incorrect details. Or some sound like they read just the back cover.

... and read this one! I read this book soon after it came out but because I'm ridiculously lazy, I never put up a review. The other day, however, I was cleaning off shelves in an attempt to hide dust and picked up "Postcards From a Dead Girl" again. Two hours later, the shelves remained dusty, but I was completely enchanted once again by this book. I realize that saying reading is more fun than dusting is kind of a no-brainer, but seriously, grab a copy of this book and don't think twice about housework. And keep it handy in case the urge to dust bubbles up in the future. Thanks, Kirk Farber, for reminding me about priorities!