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margaret21's review against another edition
5.0
An evocative, delightful and thought-provoking book. Yes, it's about death and burial. But the variety of cemeteries, ways of remembering the dead and rituals Ross explores is astonishing. He's clearly a sympathetic man to have around, and historians of ancient cemeteries, gravediggers, Muslim celebrants, natural burial enthusiasts, proponents of The Queerly Departed all willingly open up to him and bring their own special Final Resting Place to life. He visits Belfast’s oldest graveyard, Friar’s Bush: Greyfriars kirkyard (to use the Scots word) in Edinburgh, where the Skye terrier Greyfriars Bobby sat loyally by his master’s grave for 14 years: Highgate Cemetery: a charnel chapel in Northamptonshire and so many more. He brings these places for the dead to life in a delightful tribute to these places and those who work in them and care for them. A book to read with - yes - enjoyment.
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
Full review to follow.
Beautifully written and absolutely fascinating. A real celebration of death, life and above all love.
Beautifully written and absolutely fascinating. A real celebration of death, life and above all love.
hereticburger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
3.25
Loses points for weird gammon-isms and a filler chapter. I'd still reccomended it though.
styxx's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
dinolil1's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
I thought it was a beautifully written and thoughtful book. It explored different conceptions of death and funerals all over England, Scotland and Ireland (I don’t think it covered Wales). I really enjoyed it and it was very moving.
tradepaperback's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicide
Minor: Murder, Alcoholism, and Addiction