Life After Death

by Nigel Starck

In recent years, the obituary has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in literary prestige and popularity with readers. As David Bowman, a distinguished Australian editor and journalist, 'In the English-speaking world, a newspaper of quality hardly seems complete these days without a regular obituary page.' This lively book by Dr Nigel Starck is the first to explore the evolution of the obituary in the English-language press. Its author, a journalist and scholar who is one of the world's foremost experts on the form of the obituary, traces its evolution through extracts drawn from newspapers and journals published since 1625. The characteristic wit, charm, candour and cultural significance of the obituary art are explored and analysed with many engaging examples. Painstakingly researched in newspaper archives on three continents, "Life After Death" includes the full texts of notable obituaries published in Britain, the United States and Australia. The subjects of these obits range from the famous to the obscure, from the evil and infamous to the plain unlucky.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Queenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazingly interesting insight into the history of obituaries. It was the first book I read about the topic and now I wish I could get my own copy. The university library had one copy, which I borrowed and now they've lost it. I tried to order it twice online, only to find one supplier didn't actually have the book at all and the other supplier sent the book but it was lost in the mail!! It seems I am doomed not to own a copy. I have even been communicating with the author, Nigel Starck, who only has two copies of his own left. My goal for 2013 is to get my own copy!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read. It is very in depth but also strangely breautiful? It isnt an easy or light read though.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect blend of fact and anecdote. Was good at giving a balanced perspective of the more debated issues of the field.