Nine Lives

Baum's selection of these particular stories gives a deeply personal view of the city’s soul. I wonder how he decided which lives to highlight and what stories he felt were most important.

The way some characters faced death with acceptance and courage was powerful, but I felt uneasy about how others coped. Did these stories change how anyone views their own mortality?

His perspective seems deeply informed yet personal, blending history and individual stories. I wonder what kind of research or experiences shaped his narrative approach.