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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
mahovina'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.
maisonmarsiela's review against another edition
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