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The Delusions by Jenni Fagan review
A witty metaphysical satire about what happens when the processes that help souls pass on begin to fail
TL;DR
- The novel is set in a massive afterlife processing center where souls confront their self-delusions before moving on or being dissolved.
- The processing system is failing due to an overload, possibly indicating the Earth is being "wound down" by the universe.
- The narrative satirizes various societal flaws, including greed, politics, celebrity, and smartphone culture.
- Delusions are expunged from souls in a public, grotesque manner, revealing past wrongdoings.
- The story is primarily told through the perspective of Edi, a deceased administrator haunted by the well-being of her living son.
- The novel uses humor and satire to explore themes of identity, self-awareness, and the nature of reality, with an ending that leaves even uplift feeling fragile.