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The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade
The Undertaking Life Studies from the Dismal Trade
Author: Thomas Lynch
“[Lynch] brings the lessons of death to life, and turns life and death into art.” —Time Out New York Here is the voice of both witness and functionary. Lynch stands between “the living and the living who have died” with outrage and amazement, awe and calm, straining for the brief...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780393334876
ISBN-10: 0393334872
Publication Date: 6/22/2009
Pages: 224
Edition: Reprint
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 3

3.8 stars, based on 3 ratings
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade on + 115 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The author of this book has a difficult job and a dimal outlook but hang on it gets better when he comes to realize that life can be full of joy if you chose to view it that way.
reviewed The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Another reviewer said the author is somewhat preachy. True, especially when he's tetchily trying to defend the crasser innovations of his profession from the damning arguments made decades ago by Jessica Mitford in *The American Way of Death*. Mitford wins this one handily. There are interesting & tolerably lyrical passages elsewhere in the book, but one can never shake the impression that this author takes himself, qua undertaker, far too seriously. American death practices, as fashioned by the funeral industry, are as uncouth & graceless as ever. The author, in his day job, proctors a banal ritual & with ample wishful thinking tries to lend it poetry after the fact. Something like a car salesman waxing philosophical about his job.
reviewed The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade on
Helpful Score: 1
I quickly got bored with this. The author was kind of preachy.
Read All 3 Book Reviews of "The Undertaking Life Studies from the Dismal Trade"


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