Expiration Date (novel)

Expiration Date is a 1996 fantasy novel by American writer Tim Powers. It was nominated for both the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards in 1996.[1]

Expiration Date
First edition
AuthorTim Powers
Cover artistDavid O'Connor
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesFault Lines series
GenreFantasy
PublisherTor Books
Publication date
1996
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages534 pp
ISBN0-8125-5517-1
OCLC35908254
Preceded byLast Call 
Followed byEarthquake Weather 

Plot summary

The protagonists are Koot Hoomie "Kootie" Parganas, an eleven-year-old boy, and Pete "Teet" Sullivan, a man in his early forties. The novel takes place mostly in Los Angeles in the year 1992, and there are references to the United States presidential election.

The main antagonists are Sherman Oaks and Loretta deLarava. As in Last Call, the previous novel of Tim Powers' Fault Line series, a prominent theme is the quest for immortality. Oaks' age is unknown, deLarava is seventy-six years old (but she often appears to be younger); both have been prolonging their lives by ingesting ghosts. There is a magical system surrounding these ghosts. In their digestible state, they are known as "smokes" or "cigars".

Koot Hoomie Parganas has unwittingly ingested the ghost of Thomas Edison. However, because Kootie has not yet reached puberty, he is not able to digest it. In its undigested state, the ghost of Edison functions as a helper to Kootie. Because of Edison's powerful personality, this ghost is particularly sought after by both antagonists who wish to ingest it themselves. In addition, Loretta deLarava is pursuing the ghost of Pete Sullivan's father., who would help her to locate Pete Sullivan's father's ghost, Arthur Patrick "Apie" Sullivan. Pete Sullivan has his own helper, a former psychiatrist named Angelica Anthem Elizalde.

Loretta deLarava also pursues Solomon Shadroe. Shadroe is the former Nicky Bradshaw. Shadroe/Bradshaw is also the godson of Arthur Patrick "Apie" Sullivan. Shadroe/Bradshaw played "Spooky" in a situation comedy called "Ghost of a Chance".

References
  1. "1996 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
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