So apparently I started reading this in September last year, and only finished it today. doesn't even matter, this book was absolutely fantastic in so many ways. Although a somewhat linear biography, it is easy to either read a chapter and put down for a while, or just binge a whole chunk of it at once. I probably did the latter, can't say I read it much but when I did I was reading it for hours.

Doughty has an amazing narrative voice. She's a bizarre and rare species of american that has mastered the classic dark and morbid British sense of humour, and I love her for that. I have read similar books previously by Americans (see: Stiff: the curious lives of human cadavers) and it really didn't come across to me the same. it is overall a very funny but touching account of how one woman has made her way through the death industry while trying to answer her own questions about death and how others view it as well.

If I was a teacher, I would honestly enforce this into curriculum. everyone should read this book at some point in their lives. seriously. Although it is clear that doughty has her own very clear views (which I ABSOLUTELY agree with), I probably imagine not everyone will feel the same. this isn't a criticism obviously because It raises this point: regardless of your views on things such as death, its better to form an opinion and an understanding than none at all. and that book really suggests this. like sex or whatever, we need to be more aware of how it works and let our loved ones know what we want from them when we die. kind of morbid but that's the truth.

I could honestly write an essay on this book. there is lots of useful ACADEMIC information (which is fully referenced btw thanks) but it is also extremely accessible considering the nature of the topic. top marks for me.

If they ever let us get thrown in the woods I'll see you there caitlin.