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A Trick I Learned from Dead Men
After the disappearance of their father and the sudden death of their mother, Lee Hart and his deaf brother, Ned, imagine all is lost until Lee lands a traineeship at their local funeral home and discovers there is life after death. Here, in the company of a crooning ex-publican, a closet pole vaulter, a terminally-ill hearse driver, and the dead of their local town, old wounds begin to heal and love arrives as a beautiful florist aboard a 'Fleurtations' delivery van.But death is closer than Lee Hart thinks. Somewhere among the quiet lanes and sleepy farms something else is waiting. And it is closing in. Don't bring your work home with you, that's what they say. Too late.Sometimes sad, often hilarious and ultimately tragic and deeply moving, A Trick I Learned from Dead Men is a pitch perfect small masterpiece from a writer described by Richard Ford as having 'a moral grasp upon life that is grave, knowing, melancholy, often extremely funny and ultimately optimistic'.
211 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 6, 2017
That was so beautiful. Just gloomy, poetic, and self-centered. It really stresses the fact that being around dead people for a long time makes death lose its value. I loved the writing style, the language, and the idea. I don't know how I stumbled upon this one but I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something different.
May 11, 2013
Unfinished due to the jerky, staccato writing style and the fact that the character and his story just couldn't engage my attention.
October 27, 2022
The quirkiness of the way this book is written gives it some literary genius. The storyline itself is rather sombre and morose, with our protagonist dealing with grief whilst working as a trainee in a funeral home. I think my issue is that it doesn't really go anywhere.
There is a poignant moment where someone asks our lead if he were happy; and while the narrative falls flat after that, you do realise that our protagonist does carry a lot of not-so-happy things with him. But he just... goes on.
Sometimes humorous, often bleak, there are some nice points to this book. Just wish it were a bit... happier.
There is a poignant moment where someone asks our lead if he were happy; and while the narrative falls flat after that, you do realise that our protagonist does carry a lot of not-so-happy things with him. But he just... goes on.
Sometimes humorous, often bleak, there are some nice points to this book. Just wish it were a bit... happier.
August 14, 2012
Lately my reading has been stuck in the past. Books from the past, books about the past, books set in the past …. It’s the best way to escape from a world that is changing in ways I’m not entirely happy about. Sometimes though, a contemporary novel will pull me back to the present.
I didn’t think of Kitty Aldridge as an author of contemporary novels, I thought of her as the author of two very good novels that I couldn’t quite put a label on. And now here’s a third.
It belongs to Lee Hart, a twenty-four year old trainee funeral director. It is clear from the very first that Lee applies himself to his job, that having this role in life is important to him.
“You knock first before you go in. You don’t wait of course. Good morning, Mr Gillespie. Lee here. Nice day. Everyone is known by their formal name: Mr, Mrs, Miss. We have not yet had a Lord or a Lady, but we had a Doctor and a Major. Babies and kiddies are their first name. Everyone is someone. They have status, the dead. Derek said that. It’s true, you’re somebody when you’re dead. you get respect.”
As Lee recounted the details of his day, in a voice that rang so very true, a voice that I could hear in my head I began to build a picture of his life.
His father had left a long time ago and his mother had died. Now he lived with Lester, his step-father, who had given up on life since he lost his wife. And with Ned, his brother, who was deaf and who hadn’t managed to find a way to deal with the world.
They both infuriated Lee, but he understood too. Both relationships are simply and beautifully drawn. And utterly believable.
Lee was the coper, the quiet optimist. A young man looking for his place in the world.
He picked up expressions, mannerisms, habits from his older colleagues, because he wanted to root himself in their world, because their camaraderie was so important to him.
I saw all of this as Lee went about his business, wondering which prepackaged lunch to pick from the array on offer, wondering how to make his exchanges with the girl from the florist’s shop grow in to a proper relationship.
I would have found it impossible not to like him, in possible not to care.
So much is conveyed in this little book, simply by having one character tell his story.
It might sound depressing, and at one level it is, but Lee’s good nature, and his unspoken faith in the future pull his story towards the light.
Even when things started to go wrong …
It’s an accomplished piece of writing. But now I have reached the end I feel that I have met a character, read a simple story, and I wish that there could have been just a little more.
Maybe a light could have been shone on stories of all of the employees of Shakespeare & Co, Funeral Directors – the ex-publican, the aspiring athlete, the driver with failing health … or maybe it’s right that I’m left to wonder about those other lives.
Then again, I have to say that Lee deserved to tell his own story and to have it heard.
And I do think that it was the right time for he and I to part company. I’m glad we met, and I’d like to think that one day he would be able to pause and realise that the faith he had in the future had been justified.
I didn’t think of Kitty Aldridge as an author of contemporary novels, I thought of her as the author of two very good novels that I couldn’t quite put a label on. And now here’s a third.
It belongs to Lee Hart, a twenty-four year old trainee funeral director. It is clear from the very first that Lee applies himself to his job, that having this role in life is important to him.
“You knock first before you go in. You don’t wait of course. Good morning, Mr Gillespie. Lee here. Nice day. Everyone is known by their formal name: Mr, Mrs, Miss. We have not yet had a Lord or a Lady, but we had a Doctor and a Major. Babies and kiddies are their first name. Everyone is someone. They have status, the dead. Derek said that. It’s true, you’re somebody when you’re dead. you get respect.”
As Lee recounted the details of his day, in a voice that rang so very true, a voice that I could hear in my head I began to build a picture of his life.
His father had left a long time ago and his mother had died. Now he lived with Lester, his step-father, who had given up on life since he lost his wife. And with Ned, his brother, who was deaf and who hadn’t managed to find a way to deal with the world.
They both infuriated Lee, but he understood too. Both relationships are simply and beautifully drawn. And utterly believable.
Lee was the coper, the quiet optimist. A young man looking for his place in the world.
He picked up expressions, mannerisms, habits from his older colleagues, because he wanted to root himself in their world, because their camaraderie was so important to him.
I saw all of this as Lee went about his business, wondering which prepackaged lunch to pick from the array on offer, wondering how to make his exchanges with the girl from the florist’s shop grow in to a proper relationship.
I would have found it impossible not to like him, in possible not to care.
So much is conveyed in this little book, simply by having one character tell his story.
It might sound depressing, and at one level it is, but Lee’s good nature, and his unspoken faith in the future pull his story towards the light.
Even when things started to go wrong …
It’s an accomplished piece of writing. But now I have reached the end I feel that I have met a character, read a simple story, and I wish that there could have been just a little more.
Maybe a light could have been shone on stories of all of the employees of Shakespeare & Co, Funeral Directors – the ex-publican, the aspiring athlete, the driver with failing health … or maybe it’s right that I’m left to wonder about those other lives.
Then again, I have to say that Lee deserved to tell his own story and to have it heard.
And I do think that it was the right time for he and I to part company. I’m glad we met, and I’d like to think that one day he would be able to pause and realise that the faith he had in the future had been justified.
August 4, 2016
An interesting voice and character sketch, but the plot seems clumsily tacked on in heavy handed bolts from the blue, and the whole thing drags a bit despite being very slight.
July 29, 2019
I got this as an audio book, and it’s beautifully read by Kristopher Milne. It’s written in first person as the voice of Lee Hart, a 25 year old living with his deaf brother Ned and stepfather Lester following the death of his mum. Lee is a trainee at a funeral home and it’s ironic that his life amongst the dead, with his motley collection of colleagues, and with occasional visits from pretty florist Laurel, have more light and humour than his gloomy home life. He escapes to the fields and woods around the cottage, talking to the local crow and describing the land and sky.
The writing is poetic, despite the quirky staccato style of Lee’s internal monologue. You can’t help but like him, respect to the deceased, his humour and also the way he looks after his dysfunctional brother and stepdad. He copes admirably with what goes on at home, older and wiser than his years, but his naivety shows as he tries to court Laurel. It’s a deeply tragic tale as Lee, Ned & Lester still grieve for his mum, mixed with warmth, the love of family, gentle humour and above all hope.
Different and beautiful.
The writing is poetic, despite the quirky staccato style of Lee’s internal monologue. You can’t help but like him, respect to the deceased, his humour and also the way he looks after his dysfunctional brother and stepdad. He copes admirably with what goes on at home, older and wiser than his years, but his naivety shows as he tries to court Laurel. It’s a deeply tragic tale as Lee, Ned & Lester still grieve for his mum, mixed with warmth, the love of family, gentle humour and above all hope.
Different and beautiful.
July 28, 2016
Mini-review originally posted on Nightjar's Jar of Books.
Lee Hart’s mother is dead. Cancer. And his stepfather Lester has retreated from the world and now only interacts with the television. And his deaf brother Ned refuses to get a job. It’s a good thing Lee has his job at the funeral home to support the three of them (and visits from the beautiful Lorelle to look forward to); but even that might be in jeopardy soon…
My problem with this book: It’s really misleading. The synopsis and the blurbs all promised humour (if dark) and poignant writing, and some kind of light at the end of the tunnel (which I guess there was, but only really as an afterthought), and the book just didn’t deliver on any of those things. Granted, humour is subjective, so this probably wasn’t the right kind of humour for me, but there’s no excuse for the rest…
My other problem with this book: The characters. I usually like character-driven stories, but I wasn’t able to connect with any of the main characters. I certainly felt sorry for Lee – stuck caring for a family who were entirely reliant upon him, but didn’t seem to value him at all – but I yo-yoed between liking him (very occasionally) and finding him irritating (more often). Ned and Lester (and even Lorelle) were both incredibly frustrating, and while the team at the funeral home (or rather, Derek) were reasonably likeable, they didn’t appear nearly often enough to balance out the rest of the cast.
All that said, I can’t say that I disliked this book, exactly; I just didn’t care about it.
January 24, 2018
I think the thing that gives this book its originality is also the thing that is most likely to turn people away: the narrators voice. His staccato speech made it hard for me to read for a prolonged period of time and his bad use of foreign words made him come off like a Del Boy parody.
January 30, 2014
The voice of Lee Hart is as authentic as most in fiction. I wasn't bothered by any of the verbal tics Aldridge used to create his ("Lethal" to his friend, "Ravester") voice. I rather liked Lee's use of "Buenos Dias" and other foreign greetings to Crow when that bird deigned to show up near the unprepossessing cottage Lee lives in with his deaf younger brother and his depressed step-dad. It wasn't easy for Lee to have a conversation outside his work at the Funeral Directors, Shakespeare Ltd; even then it was mostly Derek (aka Del) his boss telling Lee what to do.
The first half of the novel is leavened by amusing, sometimes hilarious dialogue, once again from Lee's work colleagues; they see the funny side! But his grief following his mother's death though unspoken is there; suggested by recurring images of her illness and decline.
Unfortunately the book suffers from its own slightness. Many questions just remain unanswered. While I like brevity the story is not quite sufficiently well-developed or complex to be a really satisfying read. The end is surprising but too random to carry any weight.
Kitty Aldridge has a deft touch with voice and her characters' humour is a fine thing in a novel, especially so in the setting. I would read more from Aldridge.
The first half of the novel is leavened by amusing, sometimes hilarious dialogue, once again from Lee's work colleagues; they see the funny side! But his grief following his mother's death though unspoken is there; suggested by recurring images of her illness and decline.
Unfortunately the book suffers from its own slightness. Many questions just remain unanswered. While I like brevity the story is not quite sufficiently well-developed or complex to be a really satisfying read. The end is surprising but too random to carry any weight.
Kitty Aldridge has a deft touch with voice and her characters' humour is a fine thing in a novel, especially so in the setting. I would read more from Aldridge.
November 12, 2016
A thing I learned from this book was never to take book recommendations from Mariella Frostrup.
This review will contain spoilers.
I read this book because Mariella Frostrup had suggested it as good read for someone coming to terms with bereavement. I could use some help in that regard. This book just annoyed me.
Some good things about it - a good depiction of funeral directors as business and service, showing their respect to clients living and dead; some quirky touches like the boys stepping out of the bedroom window onto a trampoline rather than use the stairs (probably not actually a safe thing to do).
Some bad things - the narrator's inner dialogue that makes him sound like a bad "Last of the Summer Wine" parody; anti-medicine sentiments; "gamer" attitudes to women; a complete failure to show any emotional depth to the characters, so that the younger brother's suicide is just another inexplicable event rather than a moment of tragedy.
The "trick", by the way, is to need nothing and be patient. Which may be appropriate in some circumstances, but if something is badly wrong better advice might be to be demanding and take action.
This review will contain spoilers.
I read this book because Mariella Frostrup had suggested it as good read for someone coming to terms with bereavement. I could use some help in that regard. This book just annoyed me.
Some good things about it - a good depiction of funeral directors as business and service, showing their respect to clients living and dead; some quirky touches like the boys stepping out of the bedroom window onto a trampoline rather than use the stairs (probably not actually a safe thing to do).
Some bad things - the narrator's inner dialogue that makes him sound like a bad "Last of the Summer Wine" parody; anti-medicine sentiments; "gamer" attitudes to women; a complete failure to show any emotional depth to the characters, so that the younger brother's suicide is just another inexplicable event rather than a moment of tragedy.
The "trick", by the way, is to need nothing and be patient. Which may be appropriate in some circumstances, but if something is badly wrong better advice might be to be demanding and take action.
November 23, 2015
I wanted to like this book, but ultimately I didn't feel enough engagement with the characters to do so. I quite liked the unusual staccato style once I'd got used to it, and the book was at its most engaging during work situations. However, I felt it lacked depth, especially considering the subject matter.
June 9, 2021
There are enjoyable aspects to this book, and certainly thought-provoking, however the writing style is extremely difficult to read. It was written as a stream of consciousness of a young man, and it is challenging. Additionally, the book presents many very serious and heartbreaking issues, without really exploring them, and certainly not with any form of resolution at all.
February 26, 2013
This novel is, I daresay, unlike anything I've ever read before, written in a "style" that I'd never consider reading! And I could hardly put it down! It's tragic, almost heartbreakingly so, it's funny, clever . . . don't really have words to describe it. Read it!
March 6, 2016
I very, very rarely rate something this low, however this book... 'poignant and humorous' other reviews promised, well not for me. Weird, a struggle to read, impossible to like characters, bleak, miserable, no real story... Shudder, definitely not for me.
August 22, 2013
Started of nice but then it got repetitive and rather boring. Too bad, I expected something a lot better.
Abandoned the book with about 25% to go.
Abandoned the book with about 25% to go.
May 10, 2014
Very disappointing as the reviews alluded to something better. Story was ok but nothing special.
August 8, 2016
didn't like the way it was written,any of the characters and it was super depressing!
June 26, 2019
I am a bit split between giving this 3 or 4 stars because it was written well, although first person and some are not a fan of that, I quite enjoyed it for a change. The story was a bit different as of written over a short amount of time but a lot happened in it. I enjoyed the main character he was relatable and you genuinely could feel love for him and sorry for him at other times. The way this is written is very touching and often gave me that harder to swallow feeling, both because it was written truly and also probably because the story with his mum getting cancer and passing away hit home.
The way his brother, Ned, with learning disabilities was conveyed was both sweet and real; we all get annoyed with our siblings. But there were times when things got a little bit far fetched towards Ned as I don't think the main character Lee would have acted towards him compared to the rest of Lee's character development, as he was caring and loving and always stopped himself from lesser things towards non-family charactes of the book. I do however think the author was trying to convey how our minds change when we are under pressure and are not able to grieve but I don't think it was done too well in doing this to his character. I did however think she made the subtleness of Ned having depression and crying out in his own way quite well. As there were subtle hints at first then later extreme behaviours and this I have personally experienced as being true in LD individuals, often doing things in an extreme way normal people wouldn't. I honestly felt really sorry for Lee and Ned towards the end, and through iut this book you do catch the feelings of grief and trying to move forward. This story, being named what it is, I don't really feel personally that it was named right because I feel Lee's character would have been strong even if he worked somewhere else not just because of his dampened reactions because of working with dead people. The humour is well done if you like dark or morbid type humour, like myself (it's what made me pick up this book), but I do think some people may be unable to take that humour if they're quite sensitive towards death jokes as my partner didn't find the jokes too funny and he definitely doesn't have this type of humour. Also Lee's use of Spanish words is part of his jest I think it didn't personally annoy me I thought it was quite similar to some of my guy friends in the past speaking when they were that age too.
Overall I enjoyed this book as a change but I wouldn't call it a favourite, I think the hype the book got previously wasn't really worth it as you could take it or leave it and I even thought about giving up half way through. But now I've finished the whole story, I'd say if there is a sequal where Lee gets on his feet again I'd read it just because I liked his character so much and wanted him to do well all a long.
The way his brother, Ned, with learning disabilities was conveyed was both sweet and real; we all get annoyed with our siblings. But there were times when things got a little bit far fetched towards Ned as I don't think the main character Lee would have acted towards him compared to the rest of Lee's character development, as he was caring and loving and always stopped himself from lesser things towards non-family charactes of the book. I do however think the author was trying to convey how our minds change when we are under pressure and are not able to grieve but I don't think it was done too well in doing this to his character. I did however think she made the subtleness of Ned having depression and crying out in his own way quite well. As there were subtle hints at first then later extreme behaviours and this I have personally experienced as being true in LD individuals, often doing things in an extreme way normal people wouldn't. I honestly felt really sorry for Lee and Ned towards the end, and through iut this book you do catch the feelings of grief and trying to move forward. This story, being named what it is, I don't really feel personally that it was named right because I feel Lee's character would have been strong even if he worked somewhere else not just because of his dampened reactions because of working with dead people. The humour is well done if you like dark or morbid type humour, like myself (it's what made me pick up this book), but I do think some people may be unable to take that humour if they're quite sensitive towards death jokes as my partner didn't find the jokes too funny and he definitely doesn't have this type of humour. Also Lee's use of Spanish words is part of his jest I think it didn't personally annoy me I thought it was quite similar to some of my guy friends in the past speaking when they were that age too.
Overall I enjoyed this book as a change but I wouldn't call it a favourite, I think the hype the book got previously wasn't really worth it as you could take it or leave it and I even thought about giving up half way through. But now I've finished the whole story, I'd say if there is a sequal where Lee gets on his feet again I'd read it just because I liked his character so much and wanted him to do well all a long.
June 21, 2017
I think this book lost a star out of bad luck, because I put it down for about a week through no fault of its own and it's not the kind of book that should be put down for that long. It's a novella, and it should be swallowed up so it can immediately take its emotional toll on you, like downing a drink. Then again, maybe that's fitting as this is a beautifully sad story about Lee's attempts to maintain good humour and take control of his world despite being the victim of significant disadvantages - bad luck if you will. His consistent dusting himself down and then picking himself up again is admirable and heartbreaking.
February 20, 2018
Twenty-five year old Lee Hart has been caring for his deaf brother and monosyllabic step-father since his mother's death 7 years earlier. Trapped in a remote cottage his only freedom is found in his work at a funeral home to which he is ideally suited. After work drinks with his best friend and romantic intentions towards the lovely florist are bright spots in his day but despite everything he remains upbeat and cheerful. Change comes and upsets his already precarious applecart.
I liked Lee and as it is set close to my hometown I could really feel the landscape he inhabited. I was rooting for him all the way.
I liked Lee and as it is set close to my hometown I could really feel the landscape he inhabited. I was rooting for him all the way.
October 15, 2018
6/10 : This was a quick & easy read, told from the perspective of Lee, a quiet chap, who we find out at the end is only 25, but for much of the narrative appears older. Lee works as trainee at a funeral home, surrounded by death, & sorrow, themes which follow him home. His mother has died, his step father has become a recluse & he has a complicated relationship with his deaf younger brother, Ned. It’s certainly not a happy storyline, but despite the morose plot, it manages to retain humour & wit in places. The characters were as simple as the quiet lives they lead, but I thought the writing was beautiful, & thoughtfully done.
December 6, 2018
Lee Hart and his deaf brother Ned are left alone when their father disappears and their mother dies. Things start to turn around when Lee gets an apprenticeship at the local funeral parlour and falls for a beautiful florist.
Lee has a very close relationship with nature, particularly a carrion crow that he considers a friend:
'Crow sits on the telegraph pole by the old post office. He waits there like a chess piece. Crow thinks he's an eagle, you would at those heights. He steps off, casual, skateboarding, wheels, lands on a No Parking sign.'
It's a moving story, of lovel, loss and family with engaging characters and a nice sense of humour to balance out the sadness.
Lee has a very close relationship with nature, particularly a carrion crow that he considers a friend:
'Crow sits on the telegraph pole by the old post office. He waits there like a chess piece. Crow thinks he's an eagle, you would at those heights. He steps off, casual, skateboarding, wheels, lands on a No Parking sign.'
It's a moving story, of lovel, loss and family with engaging characters and a nice sense of humour to balance out the sadness.
November 16, 2023
Death follows Lee everywhere. His work as a trainee funeral director helps, but he’s witnessed his Mums death to cancer, his step fathers sudden but unremarkable death in front of the telly, his brother traumatic hanging, not to mention his one-way relationship with the love of his life. He is sad, resilient and loyal, traits that endure, but don’t inspire.
It’s an odd read. Not just the death, but the tone and story. You’re never sure what is going on, will something happen, how long will it last? I suppose traits that death and life endure.
It’s an odd read. Not just the death, but the tone and story. You’re never sure what is going on, will something happen, how long will it last? I suppose traits that death and life endure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2024
Disappointing
Feel like the last 20 pages were the ones with any real interesting plot happening
Didn’t enjoy how it was written. Full stops mid sentence. Words missing from the end of sentences. Very odd
Characters not at all likeable - and I can’t figure out why. No real depth maybe?
I think the funeral home setting could have been really interesting. But not from the angle the story was told.
Main character kept saying words in another language and it was really giving me Derek Trotter vibes but without the laughs
Feel like the last 20 pages were the ones with any real interesting plot happening
Didn’t enjoy how it was written. Full stops mid sentence. Words missing from the end of sentences. Very odd
Characters not at all likeable - and I can’t figure out why. No real depth maybe?
I think the funeral home setting could have been really interesting. But not from the angle the story was told.
Main character kept saying words in another language and it was really giving me Derek Trotter vibes but without the laughs
March 11, 2018
A bit different to types of books i have read before, but i enjoyed its quirky style.
Main character works in a funeral directors so you wld think wld be morbid, but it isnt.
Makes you stop and take stock of what around you and appreciate things more, because death is one thing we cant get away from.
My favourite line from the book - 'the future stands behind you, waiting to say boo'.
I would recommend this book.
Main character works in a funeral directors so you wld think wld be morbid, but it isnt.
Makes you stop and take stock of what around you and appreciate things more, because death is one thing we cant get away from.
My favourite line from the book - 'the future stands behind you, waiting to say boo'.
I would recommend this book.
May 1, 2020
Quiet little gem of a quirky book focusing an a young trainee undertaker grappling with the loss of his Mum, the sloth of his stepfather, the responsibility for his deaf and challenging younger brother and unrequited love. A poignant little piece, written in a staccato style to characterise the central characters unfinished thoughts, his reticence, his lack of confidence. For me, this was a charming and touching book
February 9, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book, the quirky delivery of the story in first person, and the lead's perspective was right up my street. The ending was cracking as I didn't see it coming, which is always good.
August 23, 2025
For a rather depressing subject this was a little quirky book, working in a funeral home and trying to keep it together for his family the protagonist drifts through life, chatting to his 'clients'...
March 30, 2020
A short and enjoyable read.
May 10, 2021
2.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews