The Healthy Dead is the second published novella in the Bauchelain & Korbal Broach series by Steven Erikson. Chronologically, it is set after The Wurms of Blearmouth and before Crack'd Pot Trail. The novella is also included in The First Collected Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach.
Publisher's Summary[]
The city of Quaint's zeal for goodness can be catastrophic, and no one knows this better than Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, two stalwart champions of all things bad. The homicidal necromancers -- and their substance-addled manservant, Emancipor Reese -- find themselves ensnared in a scheme to bring goodness into utter ruination. Sometimes you must bring down civilization... in the name of civilization.
Dramatis Personae[]
A
- Agin Again, the Demoness of Lust (First mentioned)[1] (First appearance)[2]
- Arto the Famous Fire Eater, former performer[3]
B
- Baby Saint, youngest Saint of Glorious Labour[4]
- Bauchelain, necromancer and partner of Korbal Broach[5]
C
E
- Elas Sil, Saint of Glorious Labour [5]
- Emancipor Reese, manservant to Bauchelain and Korbal Broach[5]
H
- Hood's minion, unappreciated servant[7]
- Hurla, owner of Hurla's Brothel (Mentioned only)[8]
I
- Imid Factallo, Saint of Glorious Labour[9]
- Ineb Cough, the Demon of Vice[10]
- Invett Loath, Well Knight and Purest of Paladins[9]
K
- Korbal Broach, necromancer and partner of Bauchelain (First mentioned)[5] (First appearance)[11]
L
- Lady of Beneficence, goddess of the Grand Temple (First mentioned)[9] (First appearance)[2]
M
- King Macrotus, the Overwhelmingly Considerate, current king of Quaint (First mentioned)[12] (First appearance)[13]
- Mince Blackpug, paragon of health and virtue (Mentioned only)[12]
N
- Nauseo Sloven, the Demon of Corpulence[1]
- King Necrotus, the Nihile, former king of Quaint (First mentioned)[12] (First appearance)[14]
S
- Senker Later, the Demoness of Sloth[1]
- Stentorian Nun, priestess of the Grand Temple[15]
- Storkul Purge, Well Knight[16]
- Subly, wife of Emancipor Reese (Mentioned only)[16]
Plot Summary[]
Trivia[]
The idea for The Healthy Dead was born from Steven Erikson's visit to a Winnipeg bookstore. While buying something at the cash register, he spotted a promotional display for a book called Die Healthy. Erikson said, "I just saw that and thought, oh my god, I need to write something about this because it's the most absurd...concept you can imagine. I mean I get their point, but at the same time it definitely inspired me to create sort of the wellness industry and...give it a few hard kicks."[17]
Cover gallery[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Healthy Dead, Section 4
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Healthy Dead, Section 36
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 16
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 15
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The Healthy Dead, Section 2
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 33
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 29
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 21
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 The Healthy Dead, Section 1
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 3
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 7
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 The Healthy Dead, Section 5
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 13
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 8
- ↑ The Healthy Dead, Section 24
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 The Healthy Dead, Section 11
- ↑ Novellas (and more) with Steven Erikson - Smiley's Podcast - See 27:25