“Morbid and illuminating” (Entertainment Weekly)—a young mortician goes behind the scenes of her curious profession.Armed with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre, Caitlin Doughty took a job at a crematory and turned morbid curiosity into her life’s work. She cared for bodies of every color, shape, and affliction, and became an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead. In … explorer in the world of the dead. In this best-selling memoir, brimming with gallows humor and vivid characters, she marvels at the gruesome history of undertaking and relates her unique coming-of-age story with bold curiosity and mordant wit. By turns hilarious, dark, and uplifting, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes reveals how the fear of dying warps our society and “will make you reconsider how our culture treats the dead” (San Francisco Chronicle).
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I had never really thought about the death industry. This author was candid and entertaining. I listened to the audible version, and enjoyed listening to the author’s intonations. I learned and laughed.
This book gave me a whole new insight into the funeral business. I always thought being embalmed and buried was a bad idea, thought cremation was better. Turns out it is, but now I know there are other option. If nothin else this book will make you want to have the “talk” with to whoever you commit your final departure.
Informative memoir about American funeral practices, that somehow leaves reader with positive feelings about death.
This book is not for those who are timid about the subject of dying, the dead and what happens to the body after death – or maybe it should be ! The subject matter is , ironically, a fact of “life” and provides (with respectful humor) details that are not readily available to many. It’s an informative and oft times sad read but totally mesmerizing.
Great casual read.
Makes you want to live forever. Fascinating take it what really happened at a funeral home/crematorium.
for people interested in morticians and their techniques. Intriguing
At first I thought this might be a bit ghoulish, but the as the author explained her reasons for wanting to work in a crematory, it made sense. The inner workings of a mortuary were actually quite fascinating. But most importantly, she made a thought-provoking case for how abnormal Americans’ relationship with death really is and her efforts to change it. She has a website: http://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/ Much to consider here for my own inevitable end!
It’s been a summer of reading death-related books, and this one by far was the most original, clever, and lasting of the bunch. Very well researched, with a perfect balance of first-person experiences and historical facts, I found this to be “the perfect memoir.” The narrator had a strong voice that commanded respect and triggered authority. I will think about this book for a long time and have already recommended it to several friends.
A wonderful read, and despite its subject matter, very enjoyable. The author has a very relaxed way of writing which makes delving into the subject matter easier to endure.
While graphic descriptions of embalming and the cremation process are revealed, this book is about much more. This book is about our reluctance to deal with death, the shadiness of the funeral industry in America, a new outlook on death AND the corpse, and ultimately the true significance of death as a part of life. Can we really appreciate our lives until we have accepted the finality and inevitability of our death? Is Death the true driving force in our lives? Would we achieve anything if we knew we would have “forever” to do so? So many questions arise as you read this brilliantly crafted work. I look forward to reading her next book, “From Here to Eternity.”
The author of this book takes away some of the mystery of the death/funeral process. Very informative in a light hearted way.
I have also heard Caitlin Doughty speak so it is nice to have read the book before hand.
It was very well written. A cremationist’s account of her job and those things that go along with death. Respectfully told, made you think.
I loved this book! I found myself laughing out loud a LOT, while reading a book about dead bodies!! The author made it so entertaining, I hope she writes a sequel about her life after mortician school. I have many of the same feelings about the way we treat our dead bodies – mostly stay away until look they look like they looked when they were alive (but they never really do). I would love to have someone help me care for my deceased loved one at home and have a nearby place for a shroud burial (no casket). I believe it would be treating that person with the respect every human deserves after death.
Not for The faint of heart or overly fastidious, VERY graphic and informative . Cremation is still my choice for myself. Im glad I red this book.
One of the best books I’ve read this year. Informative and very relevant. I have bought copies for others and highly recommend it.
great insights into a very bizarre industry
Not for the squeamish, this book spoke to me. It dares to inform factually about mortuary practices and usually taboo specifics about death, corpses (author’s preferential word for dead bodies). A courageous book written with a light touch and more than a little humor. The author has removed the veil of mystery from the practical business of death in America today. She advocates well to reconnect with family ritual surrounding loss of those we love. I really appreciated this unique book.
Not for every one but if you work with those who are dying, then it’s important.
The author details death from beginning to the final process. It is refreshing to get up close and personal factual information regarding the human body. This book opened my eyes to the process of embalming and preparation of a body before viewing by the family. I deeply regret that I ever allowed any of my loved ones to be embalmed! I now favor green burials and hope that more cities and states will open up space for a more natural and humane type of final rest.