Notes from the Shelf

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Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore is a 374-page magical realism/fantasy novel. The story follows Milo, a soul who has lived almost 10,000 lives and is on the verge of achieving “perfection”—or eternal oblivion if he fails. Along the way, he navigates love, loss and the absurdities of existence, including his romance with Death herself, known as Suzie.

This was such a unique read, I couldn’t put it down! There was also a lot of humor within the pages, which I wasn’t expecting but very much appreciated because at times there were some gritty moments, and the humor helped balance that.

I love the exploration of the meaning of life and the nature of the universe throughout the novel. The writing vividly paints the different worlds and lives that Milo lives. There’s also a blend of fantastical elements with realism, which keeps the narrative engaging.

I found the story of Milo to be very relatable; it reflects humanity’s constant search for purpose, connection and fulfillment. Also, the romantic elements between Milo and Suzie adds an emotional depth to the story while also raising questions about love’s endurance across lifetimes.

However, I could see this book not being for everyone because there are some rapid shifts between lives in an episodic structure, so it can come off as a bit disjointed. Also, the humor within the book might not be what everyone is looking for when contemplating existential questions.

Overall, Reincarnation Blues is a reminder that the beauty of life often lies in the imperfections, and the journey itself is just as important as the destination. I absolutely loved this book, and it will be one of the few books I plan to re-read.

I give Reincarnation Blues 5 stars.

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