A groundbreaking study examining major literary treatments of the idea of earthly immortality, throwing into relief fascinating instances of human self-awareness over the past three hundred years.

Preface
Immortality in Science and Literature: Dreams and Nightmares
Literary Thought Experiments: Life Everlasting, from Blessing to Curse
Blessings of Mortality: Limited Time, Limitless Possibilities?
Epilogue
Notes
Index of Names