One-line summary:

In “The Immortalists,” four siblings visit a fortune teller who predicts the dates of their deaths, leading them to question their choices and confront their fears.

Discovering the Prophecy:

“The Immortalists” by Chloe Benjamin follows the lives of four Gold siblings – Varya, Daniel, Klara, and Simon – who, in 1969, visit a fortune teller in New York City. The fortune teller, known as the traveling psychic, claims to possess the ability to reveal the exact dates of people’s deaths. Each sibling, in turn, learns their predicted death date, which sets the course for the rest of their lives.

Their Divergent Paths:

After receiving their prophecies, the siblings embark on different paths, shaped by their newfound knowledge. Varya, the eldest, becomes a research scientist, obsessively studying longevity and attempting to control her own fate. Daniel, the pragmatic brother, becomes a military doctor, living a cautious and measured life. Klara, the dreamer, pursues her passion for magic and becomes a renowned magician in Las Vegas. Simon, the youngest, embraces his sexuality and moves to San Francisco to live an authentic life as a dancer.

As the years pass, each sibling faces their own challenges and confronts the question of whether their predicted death dates are inevitable or self-fulfilling prophecies. Varya’s research on longevity leads her to participate in a study involving rhesus monkeys, where she grapples with ethical dilemmas and questions the value of prolonging life. Daniel’s cautious approach is tested when he falls in love with a patient and must confront his fear of intimacy. Klara’s pursuit of magic pushes her to the edge as she battles with mental health issues and seeks validation from her deceased father. Simon, living in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, faces the reality of his own mortality and the impact of his choices.

Confronting Mortality:

Throughout the novel, “The Immortalists” explores themes of fate, family, and the human desire to control one’s destiny. The siblings’ journeys are intertwined with their relationships with each other and their parents, highlighting the complexities of familial bonds and the impact of childhood experiences. The book also delves into the exploration of death and mortality, questioning whether knowing the date of one’s death can lead to a life well-lived or become a burden that hinders true living.

In the end, “The Immortalists” challenges readers to reflect on their own beliefs about life, death, and the choices they make in between. It reminds us that life is unpredictable, and while we may not have control over our ultimate fate, we have the power to shape the moments that matter.

Key takeaways:

• Knowing the date of one’s death can both empower and burden individuals, shaping the choices they make.
• Family dynamics and childhood experiences have a profound impact on the paths we choose in life.
• Exploring the boundaries of mortality and the human desire for control can lead to a deeper understanding of what it means to truly live.

“If you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life?”

“The Immortalists” invites readers to ponder this question and consider the ways in which our beliefs about mortality shape the way we approach life’s uncertainties.