Book Review: It is an honest ghost by John Goldbach

In his second short story collection, It Is an Honest Ghost, which includes six short stories and a novella, Montréal writer John Goldbach attempts to provide insight into the possibility of life after death through the perspectives of different characters. Unfortunately, he doesn’t manage it. Although the characters are relatable and the stories are generally easy to read, this reader failed to see the point in the end.

Although Goldbach’s interesting depiction of Sigismund Mohr’s now mostly ignored contribution to the electrification of Québec City and his death in obscurity piques the reader’s curiosity, it seemed to steer away from the topic of life after death.

One story does touch on the idea of death. Sadly, the reader spends a lot of energy trying to understand its premise: is the speaker dead, dying, or reflecting on his imminent execution while sitting in his prison cell in St. Petersburg, contemplating Kazan Cathedral in some weird out-of-body experience? Once readers get past the blatant lack of context, they are still confronted with a story told in a single 551-word sentence.

Overall, not an inspirational read, but maybe an entertaining one.

…………………………………………………………………