Recalled to life

by Robert Silverberg

"Recalled to Life" by Robert Silverberg is a science fiction novel written in the late 20th century. The narrative centers around James Harker, a former Governor turned private lawyer, as he uncovers a monumental scientific breakthrough: the ability to reanimate the dead. As Harker navigates the moral and ethical implications of this discovery, it becomes clear that he is confronted with a range of societal and personal dilemmas tied to life, death, and the prospect of resurrection. The opening portion establishes Harker's mundane routine and inner struggles following his transition from a position of political power to personal insignificance. He receives a visit from Dr. Benedict Lurie, who reveals the success of his research team in resurrecting the recently deceased. The profound implications of such a process weigh on Harker as he reflects on his own grief over losing his daughter and the moral complexities involved with the reanimation of human beings. The chapter unveils Harker's reluctant journey into a world of ethical considerations surrounding life and death while setting the stage for the inevitable societal repercussions resulting from the lab's scientific endeavor.