Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty Narrator: Caitlin Doughty
Published by Recorded Books on September 19, 2014
Genres: Non Fiction, Biography
Length: 7 hours, 44 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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Most people want to avoid thinking about death, but Caitlin Doughty—a twenty-something with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre—took a job at a crematory, turning morbid curiosity into her life’s work. Thrown into a profession of gallows humor and vivid characters (both living and very dead), Doughty learned to navigate the secretive culture of those who care for the deceased.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes tells an unusual coming-of-age story full of bizarre encounters and unforgettable scenes. Caring for dead bodies of every color, shape, and affliction, Doughty soon becomes an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead. She describes how she swept ashes from the machines (and sometimes onto her clothes) and reveals the strange history of cremation and undertaking, marveling at bizarre and wonderful funeral practices from different cultures.
My family was talking at dinner one night, when the subject of cremation came up, as it does. When I wasn’t quite able to grasp the concept of Aqua Cremation, my daughter brought up a helpful video posted by Caitlin Doughty in her “Ask A Mortician?” segment on YouTube. In a funny and engaging way I learned about a new, more environmentally friendly way my family can dispose of my body after my death. Caitlin Doughty writes with the same level of thoughtfulness and practicality in her memoir Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory. By that intro alone, you might decide this book isn’t for you. However, those of us with a slightly morbid (or full-blown morbid in my family’s case) fascination with death and bodies are sure to enjoy listening to how the author found herself in charge of a crematory at the age of 23.
Caitlin Doughty, a mortician, influencer, and founder of The Order of the Good Death, has many years in the funeral industry under her belt, but Smoke Gets in Your Eyes recounts her initial experiences dealing with the deceased, or I guess I learned it is ok to say corpses. She doesn’t hold back in her descriptions of body collection or accidental ‘leaks’ at the Crematory; and each chapter comes with a sort of lesson on life; including that, in the end, death is the great equalizer.
“Sifting through an urn of cremated remains you cannot tell if a person had successes, failures, grandchildren, felonies. “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
While this is a memoir, I also think that Smoke Gets In Your Eyes serves to de-mystify the death industry and teaches us how to engage with the dead in a compassionate way. She never loses site of the people attached to each death; not just the corpses, but the families attached to them. Those left behind are as much a part of each story as the deceased. I think the humor and clinical descriptions in her book have left me with a greater comfort with the process and perhaps that will lead me to better accept death when it comes for me or my loved ones.
Narration:
Having viewed many of her YouTube videos, I knew what to expect in the narration. The author does a great job reading the book and speaks in a clear and concise way. Her dry wit comes through as well. Her passion for the subject comes through in her voice. While I have a preference for audiobooks, I think this book could be equally enjoyed in written format.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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I've developed a preference for audiobooks over the last few years, which allow me to complete chores, run carpool, or work on my many building and craft projects while 'reading.
My all time favorite selections include Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, and all of Robin Hobb's books set in the Farseer world. Honorable mentions to Elle Kennedy, Penny Reid, Meljean Brook, Ann Aguirre, Krista and Becca Ritchie, Jeaniene Frost, and Kristen Callihan.
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I would never have thought I’d want to read a book like this, but your review has me rethinking that. This sounds like one I would really like.
How interesting! I can see the value in sharing this information.
Seeing the cover and reading the title of the book I did NOT expect this to be Non Fiction, Biography.
I’ve never heard of Aqua Cremation, will have to check this book out, it sounds fascinating!