incandescentreads's review
5.0
Rating : 5 ⭐
This book was very informative, but it went way beyond factual descriptions of the jobs surrounding death. The choices that led people to this work and the emotional impact of the work were explored with a lot of care and open-mindedness. A wide breadth of professions were mentioned in this book and I thought they were all extremely interesting. I appreciated how the author also put a lot of herself into this book. I preferred this more personal approach, as opposed to a more detached and objective one, considering how personal the topic of death is for everyone. Overall, this was a great reading experience.
This book was very informative, but it went way beyond factual descriptions of the jobs surrounding death. The choices that led people to this work and the emotional impact of the work were explored with a lot of care and open-mindedness. A wide breadth of professions were mentioned in this book and I thought they were all extremely interesting. I appreciated how the author also put a lot of herself into this book. I preferred this more personal approach, as opposed to a more detached and objective one, considering how personal the topic of death is for everyone. Overall, this was a great reading experience.
riverlethe's review
5.0
Absolutely phenomenal. I listened to the author read the audiobook and didn’t want it to end. I’m so impressed at how many facets of end-of-life work she investigated and how she humanized something must people want to ignore.
krystlesee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
ktxx22's review against another edition
5.0
I won’t soon forget this book and the careful way Haley crafted this piece of nonfiction. As someone who reads a lot of “death” centric nonfiction because it makes me feel more comfortable with my mortality this is the first time one has focused a decent portion on children, babies, their parents, and the folks who care for the bereaved families. While this portion of the book had me sobbing I can honestly say it’s the part that will have me recommending this book regularly. So many folks are touched by death and instead of being intimately involved with the dead (which research shows helps with the grieving process) it’s a behind closed door, hush hush, secretive situation. And I’m done with that. I will be present. I will sit in grief and I will play an active roll in handling of my loved ones (as much as I’m legally able to) with any future deaths. Plans will be in place for our future deaths so that things will pan out as we desire, regardless what an individual person chooses for their body post mortem.
If you are a person who has a lot of anxiety about death I would encourage you to seek out nonfiction books about the process and the folks who manage it. I know it’s given me a lot of peace.
If you are a person who has a lot of anxiety about death I would encourage you to seek out nonfiction books about the process and the folks who manage it. I know it’s given me a lot of peace.
chaosofcold's review against another edition
5.0
The only thing about life that is certain is that it will end. The how, why and when are yet to be determined. But in knowing that our time is finite do we strive for greater things?
All the Living and the Dead engages death as an industry and through that kaleidoscope of opinions do we fully lay bare the hypocrisies of people when it comes to confronting our inevitable demise.
This book is masterfully written, incredibly well considered and deeply comforting. There is an end, and we have to get better at celebrating it.
All the Living and the Dead engages death as an industry and through that kaleidoscope of opinions do we fully lay bare the hypocrisies of people when it comes to confronting our inevitable demise.
This book is masterfully written, incredibly well considered and deeply comforting. There is an end, and we have to get better at celebrating it.
sophia_27's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
dulcimermaid's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.5
this book is going to sit with me for a very long time.