-If they gave me absolute immortality in exchange for a purgatory day, I would reject the treatment. What a laziness, then, all the time playing the harp in a cloud, dressed in a ridiculous white nightgown ... It is best to stop existing.
In the book "Good Men" by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the author expresses a strong rejection of the idea of immortality, even if it comes at the cost of enduring a day of suffering in purgatory. The perspective conveyed suggests that eternal life would lead to a monotonous existence, akin to idleness, depicted through the imagery of passively playing a harp in a cloud while dressed in an absurd outfit.
Ultimately, the message conveys a deep appreciation for the value of life and the acceptance of mortality. Rather than embracing a stale, everlasting life without purpose, the author feels it is more honorable to accept one's finite existence and the inherent meaning that comes with it.
