Status Updates From A Tour of Bones: Facing Fea...

I struggled with these last chapters. The ossuary at Nater felt like it wasn't fully explored; the emphasis on humility was appreciated but the content the reflection was grounded in felt sparse. The final chapter condenses the authors ideas, and reiteratea the main themes well; it also feels a little preachy and long winded. I want to know more about her ossuary.

Hallstatt seems like a place I both want to visit, and feel like it would be a violation to visit. The sense of intimacy is so fundamentally different from the other ossuaries; the authors reflection on healing and acceptance really resonates. It's a shame the traditions may not continue.

Sedlec and Cermna provide some interesting insights into the uncertainties is history and raise questions about motivation. The meditation on resurrection was insightful; I wish we saw a similar exploration of the idea of ownership of remains and narratives.

Chapter 2 doesn't have a really strong focus. There are some interesting meditations on reconciliation, being a stranger, hospitality, and the act of gathering. It reminds me some of Border by Kapka Kassabova, though that might just be the geography.

Interesting first chapter; I'm not sure whether this is going to be more about ossuaries, decomposition, out psychology of mortality. This read feels more anxious than my last book on death. Then again, it might be the weird font sizing issue, or the authors early focus on her cancer.