The Art of Death: Writing the Final Story

Beautiful, sensitive, widely-informed. Maria Popova's blog, Brain Pickings, led me to this thoughtful, evocative book, and I highly recommend it. Incidentally, when I looked for the correct pronunciation of the author's name and found it given by her in a short online audio, I was not surprised to hear the gentle sweetness of her voice.

What's best about this book is Edwige Danticat's own writing about her own experience: her mother's death, her observations and experience of it, and where she looked in literature for writers who also were traveling through the Valley of the Shadow of death, The prayer at the end is very beautiful. Danticat the critic isn't as revelatory as Danticat the creative writer. Her wisdom seems best expressed in the register of creative and poetic language - not in the language of reason.

This is the first book ive purchased by this author and her writing style is so capivating. Weaving words that create imagery in your mind. Dont get nervous about the title. You will not regret buying this book which discusses a taboo topic with artistic and poetic delivery

Having read Edwidge Danticat before I knew a taste of what to expect, and she delivered. Insightful, thoughtful, and touches their heart; I am happy to have read this little book.

A beautiful weave of personal experience, literary references, and academic research about death—really about life.

boring

Decent book, not exactly what I expected. I expected something more about dealing with death.

Moving, profound and full of insight. It's a beautiful book, perhaps even more so for those grieving the loss of a loved one.