Comments on: Review: Death, an Oral History, by Casey Jarman

By: Katie @ Doing Dewey

Katie @ Doing Dewey — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 03:33:00 +0000

This does sound like an interesting oral history! I really like when authors present many different perspectives on a single topic, especially one that I personally haven’t yet thought that much about. I think I’d share your feelings about the woo-woo granola stuff though, haha.

By: Alley

Alley — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 17:53:00 +0000

I like this method of dealing with something you’re afraid of, because my normal method is denial. #adult I took a class called The Meaning of Death that was pretty swell and this would have been a great addition to that syllabus.

Also, NY is pretty swell

By: Citizen Reader

Citizen Reader — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 15:38:00 +0000

I must get this book. I must also say, however, that death is a lot like childbirth (and I’m sure, a lot of other experiences…) you can try to understand all you want, you can read about it, but until you’re there…
That said, experiencing deaths of people close to you is part of life. Heartbreaking, but also unifying. Everyone experiences that kind of loss sooner or later.
Psychedelic hospice. I confess to being intrigued, frankly! I don’t have any drug habits but if I ever develop one I’m totally going to tell people I’m just experiencing “psychedelic hospice.”
Have you also seen Lisa Takeuchi Cullen’s “Remember Me: A Lively Tour of the New American Way of Death”? It’s ten years old now but was a great read: http://www.bookslut.com/nonfiction/2006_10_010052.php

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 13:19:00 +0000

This sounds like an interesting read. It’s a little out of my comfort (reading) zone, but I think it would be intriguing to read a variety of people’s thoughts on death. I know everyone has different thoughts on this subject. Thanks for sharing your review!

By: Naomi

Naomi — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 04:27:00 +0000

It would be interesting hearing everyone’s take on death. The fact that no one really knows makes it fascinating. My dad used to be into books about people who could see ‘beyond’, and they’re fun to read even if you don’t buy into it. I think he finds it comforting to think there’s something to look forward to.

By: Louise

Louise — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 03:02:00 +0000

Ooh, this sounds SUPER interesting. I had to deal with death pretty early on and ended up being kind of a morbid child (think Wednesday Addams but with glitter nail polish and rainbow bands on her dorky braces). This kind of thing is right up my alley — thanks for recommending it!

By: Lory@Emerald City Book Review

Lory@Emerald City Book Review — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 01:25:00 +0000

In reply to Jenny @ Reading the End. Ugh, there is nothing worse than a holier-than-thou bully. Still, I'm glad that seemed to be an anomaly in the book as a whole.

By: Stefanie@SoManyBooks

Stefanie@SoManyBooks — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 20:13:00 +0000

I wonder if death were more a part of our everyday lives here in the US instead of hidden behind hospital curtains and made so taboo and hush hush whether that would make a big difference in how terrified or not we are of it? I suspect we would all be better off with it out in the open instead of talking in euphemisms and whispers. My parents are approaching old age and I have tried to talk with them about what they want as they age and when they die and they refuse to take it seriously, turn it into a joke and change the subject. Meanwhile, every visit at the in-laws they ask my husband to go through their things and tell then what he wants so they can make sure he gets it when they die.

The book sounds pretty interesting though the idea of a psychedelic hospice cracks me up. I wouldn’t go in for it, but hey, whatever floats your boat and helps you through.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 18:52:00 +0000

I know there are better ways to die than the ways my parents died, and their endings were still pretty good because we all talked about what was coming rather than ignoring it. If reading this book gets some conversations started, that would be a good thing.

By: SHANAYA TALES

SHANAYA TALES — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 17:45:00 +0000

An interesting way to approach a grim topic, and this sounds like something I must read, because like the author, I have been lucky enough to not lose anyone I can’t afford to lose – yet. But I know the inevitability of it, and so I think this will help me. Thank you for sharing, Jenny.