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dakotabrittany's review
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
asmallbat's review
4.0
This book is a wonderful memoir on the personal lessons and philosophies learned by working in death care. I love Caitlin's other works, and reading her books gives me much further insight on her individual experiences, and things I may face pursuing death care.
Though the book in general is good, as a friend of mine put it, it's just a little dated. For example, Caitlin calling intersex people "hermaphrodites", constantly pointing out people's race when that doesn't matter, or the discussion of her mental health (including a very near suicide attempt) with no content warning. This book was written in 2014, so I definitely don't see this as a reflection of Caitlin, but do be warned of that going into it.
Though the book in general is good, as a friend of mine put it, it's just a little dated. For example, Caitlin calling intersex people "hermaphrodites", constantly pointing out people's race when that doesn't matter, or the discussion of her mental health (including a very near suicide attempt) with no content warning. This book was written in 2014, so I definitely don't see this as a reflection of Caitlin, but do be warned of that going into it.
maisonmarsiela's review
4.0
this was informative, entertaining, and personal - overall an enjoyable, quick read that taught me a lot about the death industry and death practices around the world
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
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
kmarkus15's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
An odd read with some fun and insightful antique dotes on our relationship with death.
terrym10's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fascinating. I actually learned quite a lot. The author/narrator was a mortician in the Bay Area of CA where I grew up. During the book she tells us about death practices worldwide throughout history. Death is a subject no one really wants to talk about, let alone think about, but it’s really important to do so. I believe she has a few more books and I plan on looking them up now!
thepetitepunk's review
A very informative, humorous book on a topic I knew nothing about. The narrator does a great job of taking a usually very heavy, sensitive topic—death—and putting a more lighthearted spin on it. Even if you have no prior interest in death and funerals, I would give this one a try, especially if these are topics you tend to avoid thinking or talking about. Not only does this book inform you of death practices, how bodies are prepared for a funeral, cultural beliefs, etc., it also encourages the reader to think about death in a new light. Fascinating, but will also make you ponder your own relationship with mortality.