I love the honesty of this book, as it is a fascinating look at life working with the dead. I really appreciated the authors respect for the dead, as the media mostly portrays mortuaries are creepy places employing psychotic killers, it is really refreshing to read the life of a woman who went into the occupation because of passion and curiosity. There seems to be a sudden interest into the hidden sides of death, from documentaries based in funeral parlors to look at body farms, and so this book is a very welcome read for anyone curious about what really happens during an autopsy.
I liked the aesthetics of this book, the red and black on the cover really work well. The story is chronological, so it helps you follow the author life from starting out in the industry, and you are swept along with her curiosity. The explanations of different medical techniques is handled really well by being described as if you were in the room and learning with Carla, otherwise this could have been very dry and dull. The challenges and experiences were fascinating, I had never considered the challenges of dating in such a profession. The only section which came out of nowhere and took me by surprise was the medical emergency which occurs (as Carla's condition was not mentioned before, and so the revelation looses some of its impact as the reader is just confused). Other than that the book is really well written, and the positivity and passion are very contagious.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone studying medicine or interested in patient care. this is also a great read for anyone curious about what happens during autopsies, as it certainly demystifies the reader and removes the stigma of the industry. This would also be great readying for a young audience interested in a different career path. The subject matter is handled with such care and respect, I think almost anyone could read this book and enjoy it.
