Books that are published after the death of their authors are commonly referred to as posthumous publications. These books are typically manuscripts or works that were left unfinished or unpublished at the time of the author’s passing. There can be various reasons why a book is published posthumously, such as the author’s explicit instructions, the discovery of previously unknown works, or the efforts of literary executors or family members.
Here are a few examples of notable posthumous publications:
1- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson:
This bestselling crime novel was published after Larsson’s death in 2004. He had completed three manuscripts for a planned series but did not live to see their publication. The books gained immense popularity and became known as the “Millennium Trilogy.”
2- The Silmarillion” by J.R.R. Tolkien:
Published in 1977, this book delves into the mythology and history of Tolkien’s fantasy world, Middle-earth. Tolkien’s son, Christopher Tolkien, edited and compiled the book based on his father’s extensive notes and writings.
3- A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole:
After Toole’s suicide in 1969, his mother worked tirelessly to get his novel published. It was finally released in 1980 and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981.
4- The Trial and Death of Socrates by Plato:
As the primary student of Socrates, Plato recorded his teacher’s dialogues. After Socrates’ execution, Plato continued to refine and publish these dialogues, ensuring that the teachings and philosophical ideas of Socrates were preserved.
5- The Trial by Franz Kafka:
Kafka’s novel was published after his death in 1924. His close friend Max Brod ignored Kafka’s request to burn his manuscripts and instead edited and published his unfinished works, including “The Trial.”
6- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank:
Anne Frank’s diary, documenting her experiences during World War II, was published posthumously by her father, Otto Frank, after her death in a concentration camp. It has become one of the most widely read and influential books in the world.
7- The Pale King by David Foster Wallace:
Wallace’s unfinished novel was published after his suicide in 2008. His editor, Michael Pietsch, worked on the manuscript and released it as “The Pale King” in 2011.
8- The Original of Laura by Vladimir Nabokov:
Nabokov left behind an unfinished manuscript when he died in 1977. His wife, Vera Nabokov, honored his wishes to destroy the manuscript but later decided to have it published as “The Original of Laura” in 2009, with extensive notes and commentary by the author.
9- A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway:
Hemingway’s memoir, depicting his time in 1920s Paris, was published after his death in 1961. His fourth wife, Mary Hemingway, edited and arranged the manuscript, which offers insights into Hemingway’s experiences and relationships with other writers of the time.
Posthumous publications offer readers the opportunity to engage with an author’s work beyond their lifetime, providing valuable insights and contributions to literature.
These examples highlight the diverse range of posthumous publications throughout literary history. In each case, the publication of the book occurred after the author’s death, often involving the efforts of others to bring their work to the public’s attention.