Is there life after death? This question has plagued humanity from its very beginnings, leading many people to find answers through philosophy, faith, or religion. But what if you could finally get a definitive answer through science? In Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, Mary Roach explores the various historical figures and modern scientists who have tried to solve this age-old mystery and searches for some answers of her own. Spook is the second in her monosyllable series of science/humor books, and came on the heels of Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, which I reviewed back in 2016. After how well she handled the macabre subject of Stiff, I knew I had to check this one out.
In Spook, Mary Roach approaches the topic of the afterlife beginning with a total blank slate. Ever cynical and scientific, Roach has trouble believing in anything that she can’t see the evidence for herself. However, she’s open to having her mind changed. She begins her search in India, interviewing rural families who believe in reincarnation. Still unconvinced, she redirects her focus to historical and contemporary explorations of what and where the soul is, and if it can be measured with scientific tools. From there, she moves onto the nineteenth century spiritualism movement and modern mediumship. Other topics include sensing and communicating with the dead using high tech tools, an entertaining court case involving evidence revealed by a ghost, and various studies on near death experiences. By the end of the book, Mary Roach still hasn’t been persuaded by any particular viewpoint regarding the afterlife, but her attitude becomes a bit less cynical and she acknowledges the fun in having a little faith.
It’s been one of my reading goals for a while to add more nonfiction to my repertoire, and I’ve felt that Mary Roach’s books make a good starting point due to their broad scope and accessible style. However, I found Spook to be a little underwhelming compared to her first book. I think part of that is because this one was a little less focused. The afterlife is a huge topic and Mary Roach barely skims the surface. Although she begins the book with a trip to India, the rest of her research tends to be very American- and Euro-centric and skews heavily toward Christian beliefs about death. At times, I also felt that her cynical tone comes off as a bit too flippant when discussing the sensitive spiritual beliefs of others. Nonetheless, the book was an enjoyable read and I learned a few new things I hadn’t known before. Even in the chapter on spiritualism, a topic in which I’m pretty well versed, Roach dives deep into details I hadn’t ever considered—such as what materials may have been used to imitate ectoplasm and where mediums might have concealed them before the seance.
If you’re looking for a fun and simple approach to a difficult and complex topic, Spook by Mary Roach may be the introduction you need. If you’re interested in the book, you can find it at your local bookstore or support The Gothic Library and independent bookstores by purchasing it using this Bookshop.org affiliate link. Once you’ve read it, be sure to let me know what you think!