The Allure of an Ending - by R Henry Price (Paperback)

About the Book

Family. Science. History. THE ALLURE OF AN ENDING is an epic novel about three generations in which these are entangled.

Book Synopsis

This is a story about the role of our mortality in our lives.

In 2042, a biochemical breakthrough extends longevity to that of early biblical characters. How will the world adjust to the changes brought about by near immortality?

The changes are bewildering. What will dating be like? Is it frowned upon for a 600-year-old man to date a 400-year-old woman? Can marriages last for hundreds of years? Can careers?

​The human and sci-fi stories are interwoven. In 1945, Harbir emigrates from the Punjab to New York City where he establishes a modest bakery empire. Three generations of his family grow, prosper, and find stability in the home they call The Ranch. Meanwhile, J-P Durand, a French biochemist obsessed with biblical ages, tracks down a plant that extends human life.

In the miracle year 2042, the world struggles to adjust to new technology, values, and especially the traditions of family. Among those affected are Harbir's son Yusuf, Yusuf's gay son Viqar, and Barbara, Viqar's wife-erstwhile artist and free spirit.

In 2059, Harbir is gone, but at age 71, Yusuf, not part of the future or the past, with hundreds of years of life remaining, meets Dorothea and must confront the relationship of happiness, lifespan, and family.

Review Quotes

"Stunning. A brilliantly plotted-out novel with a great deal of thought and care behind it... the narrative, structure, and concept are compelling: a truly well-thought-out speculation on the nature of life, death, and immortality in a modern and post-modern world." -Kara Dennison for IndieReader

"An extremely original story that touches on fascinating topics: how society adjusts its entire structure to fit astonishing longevity; how relationships are reshaped and redefined; and how to find meaning in a life that suddenly feels never-ending." -The BookLife Prize