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Finished with Life but Unable to Die
Forever starts today…
Michael Haynes is 91 and tired of a crumbling world. A terminal illness makes him glad - he’s certain his death will improve things for his children. One medical miracle later, followed by a car accident that should have been fatal, and dying doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Michael’s learning something shocking about the universe, and the government wants in. Michael must contend not only with living forever but also with stopping his family from tearing itself apart.
Michael Haynes is 91 and tired of a crumbling world. A terminal illness makes him glad - he’s certain his death will improve things for his children. One medical miracle later, followed by a car accident that should have been fatal, and dying doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Michael’s learning something shocking about the universe, and the government wants in. Michael must contend not only with living forever but also with stopping his family from tearing itself apart.
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2015
13 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Scott Bartlett
111 books291 followersScott Bartlett writes his books from inside a mech, which is inside the hangar bay of a light armored cruiser stationed just past Jupiter.
Certain parts of the last sentence may not be completely true.
Here are some more believable statements:
Scott was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland – the easternmost province of Canada.
During his decade-long journey to become a full-time author, he supported himself by working an assortment of jobs…
...salmon hatchery technician, grocery clerk, youth care worker, ghostwriter, research assistant, pita maker, and freelance editor.
In 2014, he succeeded in becoming a full-time novelist, and he’s been writing science fiction at light speed ever since.
Get 3 FREE military space opera ebooks:
https://www.scottplots.com
Certain parts of the last sentence may not be completely true.
Here are some more believable statements:
Scott was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland – the easternmost province of Canada.
During his decade-long journey to become a full-time author, he supported himself by working an assortment of jobs…
...salmon hatchery technician, grocery clerk, youth care worker, ghostwriter, research assistant, pita maker, and freelance editor.
In 2014, he succeeded in becoming a full-time novelist, and he’s been writing science fiction at light speed ever since.
Get 3 FREE military space opera ebooks:
https://www.scottplots.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 29, 2021
This novella is the first in a series set in a future not far from our own in which experimental treatments involving nano technology are available for those who are suffering from otherwise terminal illnesses. The main character is a man in his nineties who is tired of life and who welcomes the cancer that he expects to end his life. He wants to join his wife who has predeceased him, and to leave legacies to some of his children who are in financial difficulties. But one of his sons owns a medical company and has different ideas.....
I didn't have a problem with the writing of the story but the main character is so negative, curmudgeonly and a general pain that, despite appreciating the reasons for him being this way, I couldn't sympathise with the character. So I'm not planning to read the rest of the series. For this reason, rating it as a 3 stars to be fair to the writing level.
I didn't have a problem with the writing of the story but the main character is so negative, curmudgeonly and a general pain that, despite appreciating the reasons for him being this way, I couldn't sympathise with the character. So I'm not planning to read the rest of the series. For this reason, rating it as a 3 stars to be fair to the writing level.
December 10, 2023
Great science fiction plot, playing on several real world themes. As someone who’s considering medically assisted death (MAD, which is a too ridiculously apt acronym) the author’s characters were immediately recognizable, including the adult children.
May 25, 2016
I actually read this twice, as I am not usually a reader of dystopian stories and I wanted to make sure I got things straight before I said anything about the story.
Michael Haynes is in his 90's and ready to die. His beloved wife Linda died ten years earlier, and he is more than ready to rejoin her, if that's possible. He has a fair amount of money and some property (he lives in Canada), and he wants his family, particularly two of his sons who are in financial straits and won't accept help otherwise, to benefit from his estate. But due to some medical trials, Michael is given nano-technology that goes into his body and rejuvenates him. Another incident causes more damage, but Michael lives on. Unfortunately, he is very self-centered, and does not see the damage he has done and has allowed to be done, to his family. Even with major trauma to his life (like dying and coming back to life) it only opened his eyes a little. Then the government steps in once again, and Michael really has a major trauma to overcome, as well as helping his family to heal.
Although Michael is not really a very likeable guy, you still pull for him to work out helping his family, and you feel his regret at saying and doing things that hurt his children when he was trying to "instruct" them. Mr. Bartlett has created a character who is entirely believable--someone you want to like, even love, but who you really want to slap in the next moment for what he has said or done. He really needs some Psychology 101 courses, at least in dealing with his family! God knows what he says to employees or anyone else! The thing is, I know there is another book after this one, and I want to know if he learns anything about dealing with people in the next book. He was just starting to, with his daughter Esther, before the big change. One can only hope. But the writing is good. That's what kept me reading on and on. The writing flows rather smoothly. I suggest giving it a try. And if you are into dystopian stories, you'll probably like it even more, although I must warn you, there are very few sightings of even "government men." It's mostly dealing with family issues from the point of view of an old, dying and controlling father, who may be learning just a little, a little too late.
Michael Haynes is in his 90's and ready to die. His beloved wife Linda died ten years earlier, and he is more than ready to rejoin her, if that's possible. He has a fair amount of money and some property (he lives in Canada), and he wants his family, particularly two of his sons who are in financial straits and won't accept help otherwise, to benefit from his estate. But due to some medical trials, Michael is given nano-technology that goes into his body and rejuvenates him. Another incident causes more damage, but Michael lives on. Unfortunately, he is very self-centered, and does not see the damage he has done and has allowed to be done, to his family. Even with major trauma to his life (like dying and coming back to life) it only opened his eyes a little. Then the government steps in once again, and Michael really has a major trauma to overcome, as well as helping his family to heal.
Although Michael is not really a very likeable guy, you still pull for him to work out helping his family, and you feel his regret at saying and doing things that hurt his children when he was trying to "instruct" them. Mr. Bartlett has created a character who is entirely believable--someone you want to like, even love, but who you really want to slap in the next moment for what he has said or done. He really needs some Psychology 101 courses, at least in dealing with his family! God knows what he says to employees or anyone else! The thing is, I know there is another book after this one, and I want to know if he learns anything about dealing with people in the next book. He was just starting to, with his daughter Esther, before the big change. One can only hope. But the writing is good. That's what kept me reading on and on. The writing flows rather smoothly. I suggest giving it a try. And if you are into dystopian stories, you'll probably like it even more, although I must warn you, there are very few sightings of even "government men." It's mostly dealing with family issues from the point of view of an old, dying and controlling father, who may be learning just a little, a little too late.
April 10, 2016
Michael Haynes is ninety-one years old. He is ready to die so he can meet his already deceased wife in heaven. He also wants to leave his six children their inheritance because some of them are in financial trouble. He pretty much is just tired of living.
He does get sick and is dying, but he isn't allowed to die because one of his sons, Luke, experiments on him without his permission. Luke is the chairman of a health care technology company that is working on ways to prolong human life. He injected Michael with an experimental cancer treatment--and it worked.
Most of this chapter deals with Michael and his family and also seems like a set-up for things to come. Topics relevant to today are mentioned--global warming, unconstitutional laws that allow the government to break into your house when it wants, and corporate and government corruption. At the end, Luke sells out Michael again, and, against his wishes, Michael is cryogenically frozen. For a man who started out wanting to die, this is the worst thing possible. He's frozen. He can't die. And who knows what awaits him when he is brought back.
He does get sick and is dying, but he isn't allowed to die because one of his sons, Luke, experiments on him without his permission. Luke is the chairman of a health care technology company that is working on ways to prolong human life. He injected Michael with an experimental cancer treatment--and it worked.
Most of this chapter deals with Michael and his family and also seems like a set-up for things to come. Topics relevant to today are mentioned--global warming, unconstitutional laws that allow the government to break into your house when it wants, and corporate and government corruption. At the end, Luke sells out Michael again, and, against his wishes, Michael is cryogenically frozen. For a man who started out wanting to die, this is the worst thing possible. He's frozen. He can't die. And who knows what awaits him when he is brought back.
June 21, 2016
I give this book 4 stars. This is the first book in the Unable to Die series. I have read other books from this author and I was not disappointed in this book. This is not a standalone and has a cliffhanger. This is a quick read.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. In just a few pages the author managed to describe the characters, the setting, and the new technology around which this series is based. There are twists and turns in this story, along with a lot of emotional family drama. This storyline had me thinking about how I would feel if I was in Michael's place.
I really enjoyed this book and had to get the rest of the books in this series as I had a hard time putting this one down. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. In just a few pages the author managed to describe the characters, the setting, and the new technology around which this series is based. There are twists and turns in this story, along with a lot of emotional family drama. This storyline had me thinking about how I would feel if I was in Michael's place.
I really enjoyed this book and had to get the rest of the books in this series as I had a hard time putting this one down. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 26, 2016
 "Photographs faded with the years",
There is so much packed into this short novella and whatever I might have been expecting, it wasn't this. Simply but forcefully written, it tells of an elderly man who has prepared himself, and even wants, to die but is denied this final gift. It follows his thoughts and feelings toward his ever attentive family - and theirs towards him.
Not everything is as it seems or as we remember. As one also contemplating approaching death, and with six children of my own, it has made me reassess my relationships with them and their interactions with each other. And I feel lucky.
A funky starter story - I look forward to the rest
There is so much packed into this short novella and whatever I might have been expecting, it wasn't this. Simply but forcefully written, it tells of an elderly man who has prepared himself, and even wants, to die but is denied this final gift. It follows his thoughts and feelings toward his ever attentive family - and theirs towards him.
Not everything is as it seems or as we remember. As one also contemplating approaching death, and with six children of my own, it has made me reassess my relationships with them and their interactions with each other. And I feel lucky.
A funky starter story - I look forward to the rest
Read
February 15, 2016Only a short story but very good - one that gets you thinking!
March 20, 2016
very good though very short can't wait for the rest of the series
August 10, 2016
WOW
It was different with the narration and all but the story as very good. Want to see what happens next.
It was different with the narration and all but the story as very good. Want to see what happens next.
August 29, 2016
Engaging short story. Definitley worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews