Cause of Death

Cause of Death is a science fiction novella by Max Tadlock, first published in 1955. The story follows a protagonist who, driven by a desire to understand mortality, conducts an experiment to experience death for three days, believing he can return with insights about the afterlife. The narrative explores themes of fear, existence, and the finality of death, ultimately leading to a profound contemplation of the nature of life and death as the protagonist confronts the reality of his experiment's consequences.