When I Was Dead
When I Was Dead is a novel by Vincent O'Sullivan, set in the fictional town of Ballydowd, Ireland. It tells the story of a young man, Michael, who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his father. As he attempts to make sense of his life, he finds himself drawn into a strange and mysterious world of ghosts, spirits, and the supernatural. Michael's journey takes him to the depths of despair and back again as he discovers the secrets of his past and the power of love. Along the way, he meets a cast of characters, both living and dead, who help him to understand the meaning of life and death. The novel is a powerful exploration of grief, loss, and the power of love to heal. It is a story of hope and redemption, and a reminder that life is precious and should be cherished.
By Vincent O'Sullivan · First published 1905 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Romance · 1,638 words
First lines
-"And yet my heart Will not confess he owes the malady That doth my life besiege." --All's Well that Ends Well
What this Textopian page supports
When I Was Dead is listed on Textopian as a short story by Vincent O'Sullivan, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Vincent O'Sullivan
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Drama
- Length: 1,638 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for When I Was Dead by Vincent O'Sullivan
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering When I Was Dead?
- How does this short story by Vincent O'Sullivan fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- When I Wake Up by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Return Of The Soul by Robert Hichens
- Troth With The Dead by D. H. Lawrence
- Today Is Forever by Roger Dee Aycock
- Country Sentiment Here They Lie by Robert Graves
- The Man Who Died by D. H. Lawrence
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The book follows a protagonist who is haunted by a mysterious figure from her past, and explores themes of death, guilt, and the supernatural.
- Mystery — The protagonist is trying to uncover the truth about her past, and the book contains elements of suspense and intrigue.
- Romance — The book contains a romantic subplot between the protagonist and another character.
- Drama — The book contains intense emotional scenes and explores themes of grief, guilt, and redemption.
Tags
death · afterlife · existentialism · identity · memory · loss · grief · narrative · self-discovery · philosophy · reality · perception