Elizabeth Greenwood

What a delight it was to read this again! Caitlin Doughty mentioned it in one of her videos in 2016, and I rushed to get a library copy. I scoured it for tips, deeply unhappy with my life, and was so interested in people's stories the book detailed. Unfortunately, my blossoming fantasy shattered when I learned that I was unlikely to successfully go missing, even, due to a need for daily medication for quality of life. I enjoyed the rest of the book, though, and sulked after. This year, I was looking for another book when I found this one again and eagerly dove in once more. I had forgotten enough stories that it was like reading them originally, but remembered enough of Elizabeth's journey that there were parts I was looking forward to again. I'd forgotten what jerks some of the men in here were, and seethed sometimes. I giggled at a fair amount of dark humor in here, and cracked up at other times. This was an informative, engaging read balanced with dark humor and definite honesty. I was glad to know I wasn't the only one who dreamt of fake-dying and starting over, and glad I didn't waste my time trying.… (altro)

This book investigates what it takes to fake your death and how it might go wrong. Greenwood became interested in the topic when contemplating her debts and unrewarding job prospects. Unfulfilled in life, she thought maybe she could start all over from scratch.

She started out by finding someone who specializing in helping people disappear. Most people who decide to disappear are men with debt and women escaping abuse. It turns out that disappearing is a better plan than faking your death. Most people get caught because of their own stupid mistakes. And if you expect to collect any insurance money from your death, the chances of getting caught increase.

She interviewed a man who successfully disappeared for years only to turn himself in. She also interviewed a woman who is convinced that Michael Jackson faked his own death.

Disappearing and faking one’s own death is most perilous when it comes to relationships. Those willing to walk away from everyone in their lives are few and far between. Contacting loved ones is often too tempting to resist. Those who never do make contact leave heartache in their wake.

By the end of the book, Greenwood goes to Manila and secures a death certificate for herself. In a country where corruption is so common, securing your own record of death, however haphazardly put together, is fairly easy with the right connections and money.

She concludes with sage advice about what she had learned. Go for a hike, don’t collect (much) insurance money, get quality documents, commit to your new identity using your real first name, don’t look yourself up online, and don’t drive.… (altro)