BOOK 1: post 2 Autobiographical Memoirs
Having just finished the final pages of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" by Caitlin Doughty, I'm left profoundly moved by the depth and insight of her narrative. Doughty's plunge into the funeral industry at just 23 years old, working at a crematory in Oakland, California, provides a gripping narrative that pulls back the curtain on death and dying. Over the course of six years, her firsthand experiences became the cornerstone of a compelling exploration of mortality, offering an intimate glimpse into the often overlooked realities of this universal human experience.
Doughty's narrative is a multitude of powerful moments and personal stories, meticulously detailing the inner workings of the funeral industry. From the solemn task of retrieving the deceased to the intricacies of embalming and preparing bodies for viewing, she leaves no morbid detail unturned in her examination. Through her vivid storytelling and real-life examples, she introduces us to a diverse array of characters, each with their own stories and struggles, illuminating the profound humanity that persists even in death's embrace. However, her critique of contemporary funeral practices adds another layer of depth to her narrative. She describes in detail how the dead are embalmed, made up to look “natural,” and presented to relatives at viewings, criticizing these rituals as demeaning to the dead and causing unnecessary expense to their families. Drawing parallels to Forest Lawn cemetery as the Disneyland of the Dead, she recalls Jessica Mitford’s critical book, "The American Way of Death" (1963), highlighting the commercialization and commodification of death in American society.
Yet, beyond the grim realities of her profession, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" delves into the depths of Doughty's own psyche, confronting her lifelong fear of death head-on. Rooted in a traumatic childhood incident, her journey towards healing and acceptance unfolds against the backdrop of her work with the deceased. Her reflections on society's discomfort with mortality and the commercialization of funeral practices offer a thought-provoking critique, while her vision for a more compassionate and authentic approach to death provides a glimmer of hope in a culture often shrouded in silence and fear.
Work Cited
Carter , Albert Howard. “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory.” NYU Langone Health, 31 Aug. 2020, medhum.med.nyu.edu/view/18783.
Jessica, I like the fact you chose a very unique book. I feel like most wouldn't care to read about such a story, but I am nonetheless impressed with it. The fear of death is something I think everyone has, and doing something like this must really force you to become okay with death. I've always been scared of death myself, but I think your analysis helps to show that nobody should fear death, and instead embrace it. Although death can be sad, it happens to all of us, and that is why we need to live every day with a more positive mindset at the end of our days.
ReplyDeleteI think this is such an interesting book choice. I could NOT imagine working at a funeral home and having to face such an intense phase of the life cycle: death. I think it's super interesting because in that profession you see exactly what goes on after death but emotionally and spiritually you have to face what that means for life and living. I really enjoyed reading this review.
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica, as everyone else mentioned, I think your book choice is very interesting. When I first started reading your review, I thought immediately that I could never give this book a chance. I hate the topic and thought of death. However, when I read that Doughty herself has a fear of death, it made me want to read about this profession through the lens of someone who has the fear like me. Overall, great review!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing what you read Jessica. To be honest, it would have been too hard for me to read this autobiography as I am too much of an empath as well as have a slight fear of death of those around me. I would like to say that her addressing the romanticization of death through embalming is correct and I would also view it as disrespectful to the dead. I hope you had a good time reading it.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I must say that your taste in books is amazing. Thank you for deviating from the norm and sharing a book that people normally wouldn't read. Death is usually a very bleak topic but you have managed to make it seem just a tiny bit beautiful
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