Death Makes a Mistake

"Death Makes a Mistake" by William P. McGivern is a funny, lighthearted story from the 1940s about facing your end. It’s about Reggie Van Fiddler, being told by Mr. Demise—who works for Death—that he's about to die. The book looks at big ideas like what's meant to be, how silly life and death can be, and whether we can change our path, all while keeping a funny tone. Reggie first thinks someone from the Axis powers is after him, but then he gets really scared when he finds out Mr. Demise is really there to bring him to the afterlife. Reggie tries to get away from Death by getting Mr. Demise drunk, which leads to all sorts of crazy and funny situations. In the end, Reggie talks Mr. Demise into thinking there’s been a mix-up, and they decide that Hitler should be the one to go instead, adding a bit of dark humor to the story about death and what’s supposed to happen.