Even though I had to read this for class, I thought it was great. The book revolves around thanatourism, where we follow Doughty as she travels to different parts of the world (including different parts of the U.S) to learn about a culture's death rituals. Each chapter broadened my perspective on different cultural practices and also informed me more about how the death industry in the West often works.

I've been obsessed about this book since I've started it, even talking about it with my partner, friends, and family because it opens up a great conversation. The only thing I didn't really like about this book is Doughty's prose, because it was giving quirky millennial at times, but I was able to look past it. 

I would like to mention that I was also disappointed with the lack of African or African derived cultures despite being marketed as her going on a global expedition. I get that traveling to certain places could be hard, especially to view death practices, but the North Carolina chapter really got my hopes up. At this point though, I've learned that "global perspectives" will never include Africa, or just black people in general; and people seem to be fine with that for some reason, so whatever.

Death is, naturally, the main topic of this book and the tragedies that bring death about are necessarily part of the book. Doughty handles them all with grace, sensitivity, kindness, and openness, and I would recommend this to everyone, regardless of where they are on their journey with death acceptance or positivity. It is moving, funny, and reminds us of the value of life and those we love, even after death. 

Doughty dissects the western culture around death and burial by comparing it to different practices around the world in a humorous but heartfelt way that urges you to contemplate your own relationship to death. 

A magnificently informative recollection of thanotourism by Caitlin Doughty. I would highly recommend this book to anybody experiencing death anxiety or just  interested in learning about different death cultures.

Non fiction. Caitlin travels the world to explore how other cultures handle death. The western world distances itself unnaturally from the dead in a way that is not healthy. 

As always, Caitlin's humor really comes across. It was really interesting getting history, culture, and modernization when it comes to death care from around the world. I think of her three books this one was my favorite. I would have loved to have even more cultures and locations.