Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

92 reviews

burningbeaker's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Child death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death

harrimyers's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

currently placed at 4.25 but definitely could move to 4.5. a very good, concise overview of both the american death industry, but also how the western world views death in general. the formatting was brilliant and this book has taught me so much about the death industry that i either hadn’t even stopped to consider or hadn’t known at all. it was a very interesting look at how the death industry in america has directly warped people’s views of death and their relationships with their own mortality. doughty’s personal experiences are fascinating, if slightly… concerning at times. her stories from the crematorium were the most engaging part of this book and how the author links these to her past childhood experiences with death and to philosophical and cultural views of death was highly impressive. at times, the tone felt a little too… casual? but i suppose that part of this comes down to doughty’s mission to demistify death and part because this book was made to be engaging to read. however, with this in mind, there was a few instances where this casual tone did do a disservice to her argument, especially in regards to the size of the corpses and her brief dip into her run of the bdsm scene in hawaii. overall, this book was definitely thought provoking and has definitely demistifyed a lot about death for me (coming from someone who often already considers death to be an important thing to be conscious about) as well as making me stop and think very carefully about what i want to happen to me

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Blood, Cancer, Terminal illness, Child death, and Dementia

Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Fatphobia

Minor: Cultural appropriation and Colonisation

ren_the_hobbit's review against another edition

emotional funny informative medium-paced

5.0

I like all of Caitlin Doughty’s books. She also does a great job with the audiobook narration. Lots to think about after reading which is the best sign of a good book!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Death

frankieclc's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Child death, Grief, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Suicide, Body horror, and Gore

savyelizabeth's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Drug abuse

Minor: Classism and Racism

jesslynn544's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

this book was fantastic. it gives you another perspective on death but also reminds you of your humanity. reminds you that you are faced with death every day. this also taught me so much more about crematories and what goes on with our physical bodies after we pass. told in a great voice like an old friend talking about it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Child death, Blood, and Suicide

Minor: Cannibalism

apoppyinthewind's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

I enjoyed this one though it is a heavier read. If you're up for reading some rather vivid details about cremation and the completely natural processes our bodies go through when we die then yes, check this book out. I appreciated the honest & humorous way the author discusses death, it's refreshing and makes me wish that death could be talked about so openly in general. I listened to the audiobook and having the author do the reading made it one of the best audiobooks I've had the pleasure to listen to.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Car accident, Death, Medical content, Suicide, and Dementia

scrummyb's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Phew, this book is not for the faint hearted. Absolutely fantastic read, would recommend 100%, but with a cautionary warning. In my opinion, this book is mainly about two things: the actual nitty gritty (which will definitely have you gagging and shuddering) of death of the body, and an examination of rituals (or lack thereof in American society) around death. I made my way through this book with equal parts melancholy and also hopefulness. Hopeful about a new way to view death and how I can pay honor to it for both a loved one and myself. It's not only an informative read, but an entertaining one. The author tells her own story detailing her fascination with death (including her own suicidal thoughts), that reads funny, honest, and thought provoking. If you do decide to read this, be prepared that she discusses in detail what happens to all deceased bodies, including babies, suicides, violent deaths, and bodies donated to science. So if you're not ready to face that reality, I would hold off. Expect also some dark humor, that some might find crass, but I found appropriate considering the author's line of work.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Child death, and Death

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

mikaylawood's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death

dragonwithapen's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

There were some parts in the book that I feel like could have been treated with more care and thought behind it? But all around it was a great book that made a point to make you question your own mortality. Not your normal beach read, for sure! Still, a very enjoyable time :3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Child death, Suicide, and Death

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Miscarriage