My Father's Wake

How the Irish Teach Us to Live, Love, and Die

Nonfiction, Family & Relationships, Family Relationships, Death/Grief/Bereavement, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book My Father's Wake by Kevin Toolis, Hachette Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kevin Toolis ISBN: 9780306921452
Publisher: Hachette Books Publication: February 27, 2018
Imprint: Da Capo Press Language: English
Author: Kevin Toolis
ISBN: 9780306921452
Publisher: Hachette Books
Publication: February 27, 2018
Imprint: Da Capo Press
Language: English

An intimate, lyrical look at the ancient rite of the Irish wake--and the Irish way of overcoming our fear of death

Death is a whisper for most of us. Instinctively we feel we should dim the lights, pull the curtains, and speak softly. But on a remote island off the coast of Ireland's County Mayo, death has a louder voice.

Each day, along with reports of incoming Atlantic storms, the local radio runs a daily roll call of the recently departed. The islanders go in great numbers, young and old alike, to be with their dead. They keep vigil with the corpse and the bereaved company through the long hours of the night. They dig the grave with their own hands and carry the coffin on their own shoulders. The islanders cherish the dead--and amid the sorrow, they celebrate life, too.

In My Father's Wake, acclaimed author and award-winning filmmaker Kevin Toolis unforgettably describes his own father's wake and explores the wider history and significance of this ancient and eternal Irish ritual. Perhaps we, too, can all find a better way to deal with our mortality--by living and loving as the Irish do.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

An intimate, lyrical look at the ancient rite of the Irish wake--and the Irish way of overcoming our fear of death

Death is a whisper for most of us. Instinctively we feel we should dim the lights, pull the curtains, and speak softly. But on a remote island off the coast of Ireland's County Mayo, death has a louder voice.

Each day, along with reports of incoming Atlantic storms, the local radio runs a daily roll call of the recently departed. The islanders go in great numbers, young and old alike, to be with their dead. They keep vigil with the corpse and the bereaved company through the long hours of the night. They dig the grave with their own hands and carry the coffin on their own shoulders. The islanders cherish the dead--and amid the sorrow, they celebrate life, too.

In My Father's Wake, acclaimed author and award-winning filmmaker Kevin Toolis unforgettably describes his own father's wake and explores the wider history and significance of this ancient and eternal Irish ritual. Perhaps we, too, can all find a better way to deal with our mortality--by living and loving as the Irish do.

More books from Hachette Books

Cover of the book The Dark Stuff by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book Irreplaceable by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book Doing Business by the Good Book by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book Sexy Beasts by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book The Beginning of All Wisdom by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book The New Glucose Revolution Low GI Gluten-Free Eating Made Easy by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book How Not to Calm a Child on a Plane by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book 27 by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book The Writing Circle by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book Witches 101 by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book John Marshall by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book Minding Ben by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book Unknown Means by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book Hearse of a Different Color by Kevin Toolis
Cover of the book American Freak Show by Kevin Toolis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy