I read a book about death and loved it.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons From the Crematory by Caitlyn Doughty is funny, thought-provoking, and startling. Doughty graduated college and went to work as a crematory operator–yes, the person who puts the bodies in the giant furnace for cremation. It’s as weird (and wonderful) as you would imagine.
I really enjoyed this book. For weeks after reading it, I would tell everyone I came across that they should read it. Doughty is a phenomenal writer, great at weaving history, facts, and opinions in an engaging and informative way. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes really makes you think about our rituals of death and what a mess we’ve made of death culture. The book really made me think about what I want when I pass away and what conversations I need to start with people I love.
Doughty attacks the subject of death with such love and tenderness, she has an obvious passion and heart for handling death with the respect it deserves. Plus, the book is just funny. I laughed out loud at such random, serious spots. (One thing that was lacking in the book was a religious aspect–which I wasn’t too concerned with–but as a Christian, we do view death and life-after-death with a slightly different set of eyes. But that lack isn’t even a complaint, this book is just so good.)
You should read Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlyln Doughty–it is such a great conversation to join.
I heard the author talk about this on NPR and it sounds super interesting and different. Might need to add it to my reading list!
A few friends have said they heard her on NPR too–I missed it! But I stalked her website after I was done reading, she’s very intriguing. Read it and let me know what you think!
I read Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach two summers ago and I think about it EVERY DAY!!!!! I will have to check this one out.
I need to add that one to my list! Thanks!