A review by scrummyb
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Phew, this book is not for the faint hearted. Absolutely fantastic read, would recommend 100%, but with a cautionary warning. In my opinion, this book is mainly about two things: the actual nitty gritty (which will definitely have you gagging and shuddering) of death of the body, and an examination of rituals (or lack thereof in American society) around death. I made my way through this book with equal parts melancholy and also hopefulness. Hopeful about a new way to view death and how I can pay honor to it for both a loved one and myself. It's not only an informative read, but an entertaining one. The author tells her own story detailing her fascination with death (including her own suicidal thoughts), that reads funny, honest, and thought provoking. If you do decide to read this, be prepared that she discusses in detail what happens to all deceased bodies, including babies, suicides, violent deaths, and bodies donated to science. So if you're not ready to face that reality, I would hold off. Expect also some dark humor, that some might find crass, but I found appropriate considering the author's line of work.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings