9 Books with Themes of Death and Resurrection
With the approaching of Easter weekend in mind, here are a few books that explore death and resurrection:
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe* by C.S. Lewis
I’ll go to my own death defending this book as the first in the 7-book series. It has appeal for all ages.
The Last Battle* by C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia* series begins and ends touching on these twin themes.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes* by Arthur Conan Doyle
For the full experience, you might want to begin with the previous collection of stories, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes*.
A Tale of Two Cities* by Charles Dickens
The ending of this classic is so satisfying.
Thomasina* by Paul Gallico
This is one of those children’s books written for adults, too.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows* by J.K. Rowling
The last in another well-known 7-book series, Rowling handles these themes so well.
The Two Towers* by J.R.R. Tolkien
Perhaps it’s not sporting to list the middle book of The Lord of the Rings* trilogy, but this one in particular came to mind as having a death and resurrection motif. On further reflection, I would say The Return of the King* does, too.
Peace Like a River* by Leif Enger
I wasn’t expecting the way this book explores the idea of life after death.
Dominion* by Randy Alcorn
A Christian mystery thriller with scenes that take place in heaven and unseen places—it’s been years since I read this book, but Alcorn’s thoughts on life after death earn it a place on this list.
*I use affiliate links for Bookshop.org.