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3.77k reviews for:
From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death
Caitlin Doughty
4.32 AVERAGE
3.77k reviews for:
From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death
Caitlin Doughty
4.32 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
fast-paced
informative
This had a tiny bit of overlap with topics covered in Mary Roach's marvelous Stiff, but I absolutely learned a lot, and think Doughty's perspective on America's sortof sterile, isolating approach to death has some really valid points.
Doughty's coverage is very respectful - she visits different countries and observes their customs surrounding death as an extension of their cultures, and reminds the reader to reserve judgment (even though some practices were pretty hard to fathom).
The Japanese light-up Buddha room sounded particularly cool to me.
This book makes me really want to donate my body to science or be green buried. Ideally I have a lot of time to figure out that paperwork. :)
Doughty's coverage is very respectful - she visits different countries and observes their customs surrounding death as an extension of their cultures, and reminds the reader to reserve judgment (even though some practices were pretty hard to fathom).
The Japanese light-up Buddha room sounded particularly cool to me.
This book makes me really want to donate my body to science or be green buried. Ideally I have a lot of time to figure out that paperwork. :)
fast-paced
Fascinating deep dive on death practices around the world
Twitter believes that capitalism has ruined life. Caitlin Doughty believes that capitalism has ruined death.
As a sporadic fan of Doughty’s YouTube channel, I kind of knew what I was getting into. Still, this book was a truly eye-opening look at the way in which death is regarded globally. More than that, it also prompted me to re-examine my conception of death and what I would like for myself.
Doughty’s writing style is mostly serviceable and humorous. While not particularly beautiful or poetic, the subject matter is enough to engage the mind. There is something very emotional about death, after all (shocker, I know). The descriptions Doughty includes of bodies, both rotting and preserved, also served as a test of how willing I was to stare death in its face. Additionally — let’s face it — it’s always nice to learn of potential vacation destinations once quarantine is over :)
*My* thoughts on death? Unfortunately, I have to say that sky burials may be too much for me. Soil is interesting but unfortunately I don’t think anyone I know is particularly into gardening (plus: what if the tree growing from my body dies?? That sounds quite tragic). I think cremation does seem like the best option, though I’m not sure if the crestmore version will be available.
As a sporadic fan of Doughty’s YouTube channel, I kind of knew what I was getting into. Still, this book was a truly eye-opening look at the way in which death is regarded globally. More than that, it also prompted me to re-examine my conception of death and what I would like for myself.
Doughty’s writing style is mostly serviceable and humorous. While not particularly beautiful or poetic, the subject matter is enough to engage the mind. There is something very emotional about death, after all (shocker, I know). The descriptions Doughty includes of bodies, both rotting and preserved, also served as a test of how willing I was to stare death in its face. Additionally — let’s face it — it’s always nice to learn of potential vacation destinations once quarantine is over :)
*My* thoughts on death? Unfortunately, I have to say that sky burials may be too much for me. Soil is interesting but unfortunately I don’t think anyone I know is particularly into gardening (plus: what if the tree growing from my body dies?? That sounds quite tragic). I think cremation does seem like the best option, though I’m not sure if the crestmore version will be available.
thoughtful contemplation on how cultures address death and what it means to come to terms with death
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
As someone who began this book with unknown feelings and the searching for some form of contentedness in the concept of death, <I>From Here to Eternity</I> provides comfort, humor, honesty, and respect not only to those with similar desires, but more so to our collective dead.
Caitlin Doughty took such care in each chapter, discovering and discussing each culture's truth and understanding of death and their dying. In her travels and narration, you can hear her passion, appreciation, and knowledge in respecting and informing the reader about the purpose to each ritual and belief. Caitlin Doughty keeps the tone lighthearted, but that never detracts from the severity and layers to the history and impact death has on us all. As the only guarantee in life, it is more important than ever to acknowledge, talk, and honor not only our dead, but the ways we interact with death.
Caitlin Doughty took such care in each chapter, discovering and discussing each culture's truth and understanding of death and their dying. In her travels and narration, you can hear her passion, appreciation, and knowledge in respecting and informing the reader about the purpose to each ritual and belief. Caitlin Doughty keeps the tone lighthearted, but that never detracts from the severity and layers to the history and impact death has on us all. As the only guarantee in life, it is more important than ever to acknowledge, talk, and honor not only our dead, but the ways we interact with death.
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced