In 1942, aged 24, the great and defiant Canetti began to write notes, aphorisms and meditations about death – he was dead against it – and, by extension, about and for life; he only stopped in 1994, the year of his death. First publication in English of this erudite, subtle, fierce and funny book. Intensely enjoyable for those who enjoy having a brilliant mind tinker with the inside of their skull.