Quotes.

Post-mortal art [2026-10-13]

Neal Shusterman, Scythe - Chapter 3 (2016)

 “What do you think our conversation would have been like had I brought you to the post-mortality galleries instead of these older ones?”

 Rowan ventured an answer. “Probably about how much easier on the eye post-mortal art is. “Easier and . . . untroubled.”

 “How about uninspired?” prompted the scythe.

 “That’s a matter of opinion,” said Citra.

 “Perhaps. But now that you know what you’re looking for in this art of the dying, I want you to try to feel it.” And he led them to the next gallery.

 Although Rowan was sure he’d feel nothing, he was wrong.

 The next room was a large gallery with paintings hanging floor to ceiling. He didn’t recognize the artists, but that didn’t matter. There was a coherence to the work, as if it had been painted by the same soul, if not the same hand. Some works had a religious theme, others were portraits, and others simply captured the elusive light of daily life with a vibrancy that was missing in post-mortal art. Longing and elation, anguish and joy—they were all there, sometimes commingling in the same canvas. It was in some ways unsettling, but compelling as well.

 “Can we stay in this room a little longer?” Rowan asked, which made the scythe smile.

 “Of course we can.”