Why Call Them Back from Heaven?

Why Call Them Back From Heaven? depicts a future society where scientific advancement has made resurrection possible through preservation and storage of the dead. The Forever Center, a powerful corporation, manages this preservation process and the massive funds that citizens save for their second lives. The story centers on Daniel Frost, an employee of the Forever Center, who discovers information that forces him to question the organization's true nature and motives. The plot follows his journey through a world where people live in constant preparation for their future resurrection, sacrificing present joys and taking no risks that might jeopardize their chance at a second life. The social structure of this world hinges on the promise of resurrection, with the worst punishment being denial of storage for a second life. The Forever Center wields immense influence through its control of both the preservation technology and the accumulated wealth of billions of people. The novel examines fundamental questions about immortality, faith, and the value of present existence versus the promise of future life. Through its premise, it explores how the displacement of traditional religious beliefs by scientific promises can reshape human behavior and society.

Readers describe this as a thought-provoking examination of cryogenics and immortality, though less action-packed than Simak's other works. Liked: - Clear exploration of social implications and religious questions - Corporate power dynamics feel relevant today - Memorable atmosphere of paranoia and control - Strong premise and world-building Disliked: - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Characters feel underdeveloped - Plot becomes repetitive - Ending leaves some threads unresolved Several readers noted it works better as social commentary than as a narrative. One reviewer called it "more interested in ideas than story," while another praised its "unflinching look at human nature when faced with pseudo-immortality." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (204 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (31 ratings) The book maintains a small but dedicated following among Simak fans, though it's not considered his strongest work.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick In a future where artificial humans and real humans blur, the story explores similar themes of what defines life and death in a technologically advanced society.

The Resurrection Game by Michelle Belanger A corporate-controlled future where death becomes a temporary state mirrors Simak's exploration of resurrection technology and its societal impact.

The Declaration by Gemma Malley The book presents a world where immortality treatments create a society focused on future existence at the expense of present life.

The Postmortal by Drew Magary This story examines the societal consequences of conquering death through medical advancement, similar to Simak's exploration of resurrection technology.

Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss The narrative questions established beliefs about existence and survival in a controlled environment, paralleling Simak's examination of faith and institutional control.

🌟 Simak won three Hugo Awards and one International Fantasy Award during his career, establishing himself as a science fiction Grand Master. 🌟 The Ace Science Fiction Specials series, which this book launched, went on to publish several groundbreaking works that challenged traditional sci-fi conventions. 🌟 The concept of cryonic preservation, central to this novel, gained real-world attention in the 1960s when the first human was cryopreserved by the Cryonics Society of California. 🌟 Simak worked as a news editor for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune for over 30 years while writing science fiction, bringing a journalist's attention to detail to his work. 🌟 The book's themes of technological resurrection echo ancient Egyptian preservation practices, where elaborate mummification was performed to ensure life after death.