universalbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
"It is demonstrably wrong to claim that the West has death rituals that are superior to those of the rest of the world. What's more, due to the corporatization and commercialization of death are, we have fallen behind the rest of the world when it comes to proximity, intimacy, and ritual around death."
From Here to Eternity is an excellent read. Despite what (many would consider) upsetting or unsettling subject matter, Caitlin Doughty writes with humour, and respect that allows for great introspection. I was touched by the descriptions of deathcare in other parts of the world - Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Bolivia etc - in comparison to the cold, traumatic handling of death and loss in North America. If you ever been involved in funeral preparations in North America, you soon realize how much about a loved one becomes reduced to monetary value. In comparison to the meaningful and intimate treatment of grief and loss in the other cultures that Doughty sheds light on, I feel North America is lacking.
This is a quick read. However, there are very realistic depictions of corpses and decay that many would find unsettling. So this book may not be appropriate for every reader. Even so, if you can handle the above, I think it's an important read. From Here to Eternity is a light in an otherwise dark arena of books about death, grieving, and cultural decay.
Also, if like me, you've recently lost a loved one; you may find comfort in the variety of ways different cultures live with grief, and that there is no correct way to grieve.
From Here to Eternity is an excellent read. Despite what (many would consider) upsetting or unsettling subject matter, Caitlin Doughty writes with humour, and respect that allows for great introspection. I was touched by the descriptions of deathcare in other parts of the world - Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Bolivia etc - in comparison to the cold, traumatic handling of death and loss in North America. If you ever been involved in funeral preparations in North America, you soon realize how much about a loved one becomes reduced to monetary value. In comparison to the meaningful and intimate treatment of grief and loss in the other cultures that Doughty sheds light on, I feel North America is lacking.
This is a quick read. However, there are very realistic depictions of corpses and decay that many would find unsettling. So this book may not be appropriate for every reader. Even so, if you can handle the above, I think it's an important read. From Here to Eternity is a light in an otherwise dark arena of books about death, grieving, and cultural decay.
Also, if like me, you've recently lost a loved one; you may find comfort in the variety of ways different cultures live with grief, and that there is no correct way to grieve.
hann_smc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
nickjagged's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sure I'd have had a better time if this topic wasn't almost diametrically opposed to my preferences in nonfiction, but even then it manages to impart a lot of less-known information while staying down-to-earth (sorry!). A lot more concerned with physical interactions with death (mummification, decomposition) than the more metaphysical hangups.
allisoninfictionland's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5