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athousandgreatbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Let it be known that this book sucks ass. I fell asleep thrice reading it. With so many detours about how people around the world deal with death, I failed to fathom how this was fiction at all. Maybe it is, maybe it ain't. Whatever the case, from the story to the writing, everything sucked. I feel proud to have slogged through it though; not so much that I had to pay for the book. 2 stars are two too many. But I guess I'm in a lenient mood.
allycooksandreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
spookymama_35's review against another edition
dark
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
chronicloser's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.75
didn’t hit the way I expected it to. probably my own doing though, overhyping it solely because of my interest in the profession. still a nice read!
burningbeaker's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
usnebojemesa's review against another edition
5.0
After Kat (paperbackdreams on YT) recommended this in one of her videos and after watching some of Caitlin's YT videos as well, I was like sure lemme try reading this book. So I bought it on BookDepository, it came and I was blown away by how pretty it was.
However, Kat really preached about how great this book was and for me it was one step to being great. It was okay, it was pretty but it was really too short for me. Really unsure if I wanna buy any other books because of this.
However, Kat really preached about how great this book was and for me it was one step to being great. It was okay, it was pretty but it was really too short for me. Really unsure if I wanna buy any other books because of this.
dasbooch's review against another edition
5.0
A surprisingly enjoyable memoir with genuine lessons from working in the funeral industry. Caitlin Doughy describes in rich and amusing detail her experiences, and accompanies them with historical research into various burial practices. Even when I did not agree with her philosophical conclusions or worldview, I learned a lot and felt this book opened up important topics of discussion for the general public.
dakotabrittany's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
asmallbat's review against another edition
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.