Obitchuary

The Big Hot Book of Death

By: Spencer Henry, Madison Reyes

Narrated by: Spencer Henry, Madison Reyes, Annette Amelia Oliveira

Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on the popular podcast, Obitchuary: The Big Hot Book of Death is a smart, funny look at the American culture of death and how we’re remembered.

It’s safe to say everyone thinks about death—whether they want to or not. But have you ever wondered about what sort of keepsakes you can make with your remains, or given any thought to the most scandalous deathbed confessions throughout history? Well Madison Reyes and Spencer Henry have, and they've spent countless hours scouring the darkest corners of the internet, digging through newspaper archives, devouring documents, and picking the brains of death industry experts to bring you Obitchuary, a darkly funny and deeply poignant exploration of all things death.

With chapters like “Coffin Confessions,” “Executions to Die For,” “The Last Word,” and “If These Dolls Could Speak,” Madison and Spencer guide us through surprisingly colorful history, traditions, and contemporary practices. They also demystify taboo topics with incredible and hilarious details, including FUNerals, as they call them, cremations and themed funerals, famous body snatchers, and so much more.

Shocking, macabre, hilarious, and moving, Obitchuary digs deep into the physical aspects of death while also carefully exploring what death says about our humanity and the ways we choose to remember those we've lost. So go ahead, crack open the book—we know you're dying to listen to it.

©2024 Spencer Henry and Madison Reyes (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A darkly funny and deeply poignant exploration of all things death.” —AV Club

“Henry and Reyes, who share outlandish real-life death notices on their Obitchuary podcast, serve up macabre trivia in this entertaining mélange….this will appeal to readers with a dark sense of humor.” —Publishers Weekly

I love these kids!

I started listening to Obitchuary podcast during the earliest episodes and have been a loyal Geoff ever since. I’m old enough to be their mom; but I love hearing their take on life, death and seeing the comfort and laughter they’ve helped to bring to their listeners.

Yes, there are quite a few “Best of Obitchuary” moments here. But they’ve organized it into an engaging book you can enjoy to also get the gist of a BUNCH of shows.

Spencer and Madison seem to share the understanding I have that the one guarantee we are born with is that we will die. It can be scary and overwhelming to consider the our mortality and that of those we love. What can we do to make something less terrifying? Educate ourselves, learn to laugh (even irreverently), show compassion, kindness, listen and learn from those who work intimately in healthcare and the funeral industry, and learn from and support one another through the whole process. And you need to know how to make Funeral Potatoes like any Southern Lady worth her salt. (Go find that episode!)

Great listen!!

Anyone who loves the podcasts will be right at home with Spencer and Madison’s read of this great book! I’ll have to get the physical copy too just to have but I knew this was gonna be my fave format. Well done!!

Gravely fun!

Gravely fun and informative!
I thoroughly enjoyed this fun read! What a fun way to learn all the ins and outs around death and the history surrounding it. Great job!

Great story telling

If you listen to the podcast this is them with a lot less banter. I personally live the banter so the book is great but we need the banter.

Really great book! The only downside was I wish it was longer!!

I listened to the whole book on release day, I absolutely loved it, I’ve heard some of it from their podcasts over the years, but there was a ton of new stories and info I hadn’t heard before as well! I do wish it was longer, however, maybe this can be set up for a second book in the future? I hope so!!

great information

Absolutely loved the book. So much great information. loved the death potatoes. taking some to work.

Loved every moment

Fun to read and so interesting to tue last letter. The research and array of details is endlessly fun

Huge Disappointment

I think most people bought this book because they listen to the podcast. If so, all of the information is the same as what you’ve already heard before. Also, Spencer and Madison can NOT narrate a book. They sound very stiff and there is way too much swearing. I am a fan of their podcast but highly disappointed in the book. Sorry, Geoff’s!

could not listen anymore to horrible reading

I had to stop listening at chapter 2. The authors reading this books was horrible. It was stilted and reminded me of someone pretending to be a really bad actor.... except they weren't pretending.