Kirkus Reviews | You’re Going to Die But Not Me by Liz Scott, Ph.D.
April 1, 2026 • Originally published by Kirkus Reviews
“An engaging look at mortality that suggests there may well be nothing to fear but fear itself.”
A psychologist looks death square in the eye.
Many of us fear death, including the author, a writer and psychologist. “I’m a person who thinks about death approximately 20 to 30 times a day,” Scott plainly states. Though the book begins with a quick overview of humanity’s long struggle with the concept of death, illustrated by everything from various ancient myths to modern polemics, this only sets the stage for a personal odyssey to accepting death’s inevitability. Along the way, the author explores major world religions, the concept of panpsychism, the phenomenon of near-death experiences, and the world of psychics, and she even plunges into the psychedelic. Scott questions the effectiveness of our culture’s common coping mechanisms for death, finding them ultimately impotent: “It’s very difficult for me to believe that I’m the only one who feels this way, but living a full life makes me more afraid of dying. I do have a full life, and precisely because I do, I! Do! Not! Want! To! Leave! It!” Undoubtedly, many readers will relate. Eventually, it becomes clear that the only way out is through, leading readers to dissect their own complexes regarding the subject. Scott possesses a great capacity for self-awareness and is clearly well read; the result is a book that’s both informationally dense and boldly self-reflective. Importantly, the author is also frequently and effortlessly hilarious. Though Scott may position herself as a Dante keen to descend into the fear of all fears, she inadvertently serves as the reader’s Virgil. Throughout her journey, she prompts readers to investigate their own beliefs and feelings about mortality; they’ll find themselves genuinely rooting for Scott to plumb the depths of the fear of death and come out the other side.
An engaging look at mortality that suggests there may well be nothing to fear but fear itself.
