Thomas Lynch, Poet-Slash-Undertaker
Comments: 16
I was visiting Powells.com to buy the latest Paul Auster novel and, helpless as usual, I started browsing around. I noticed a book of essays by an unfamiliar Michigan poet called Thomas Lynch and thus began a wonderful new chapter in my reading life.
Thomas Lynch is a poet and essayist and the undertaker of the town of Milford in Michigan. I just knew I was going to like him the moment I saw his books. I mean, how can you go wrong? The books arrived yesterday and I read the first few essays in his first book today and as of this evening I’m feeling like I’ve made a new friend.
Richard Bernstein in The New York Times decribed Lynch as a cross between Garrison Keillor and William Butler Yeats, and it’s a very apt comparison. He has a gentle, ironic humour and a wonderful turn of phrase. I found something worth quoting on almost every single page. In an essay describing how he and his brother embalmed their father upon his death he writes
My father was a funeral director and three of my five brothers are funeral directors; two of my three sisters work pre-need and bookkeeping in one of the four funeral homes around the metro area that bear our name, our father’s name. It is an odd arithmetic—a kind of family farm, working the back forty of the emotional register, our livelihood depending on the deaths of others in the way that medicos depend on sickness, lawyers on crime, the clergy on the fear of God.
The back forty of the emotional register is brilliant, and there’s plenty more where that came from. Flying to Florida with a portable kit of embalming supplies to take care of his father, he fends of the concern of the director of the funeral parlour to which his father has been taken:
We assured him it would be OK. He showed us into the prep room, that familiar decor of porcelain and tile and florescent light—a tidy scientific venue for the witless horror of mortality, for how easily we slip from is to isn’t.
If there’s a yearning or sentimentality that runs through the pages, it’s a no-bullshit sentimentality, thoughtful, curious, respectful, cheeky.
If you ever get the chance, buy his books. You’ll be needing his services (or those of a colleague) one day soon enough. Best start with the good stuff.
The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade
W. W. Norton & Co. (Penguin does the paperback), 1997.
ISBN: 0393041123
Bodies in Motion and at Rest: On Metaphor and Mortality
W. W. Norton & Co., 2001.
ISBN: 0393321649
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Posted to Books • 2002.09.20 (Fri) • 22:12
Comments
Posted by Erica 2002.12.16, 05:04
I have just started reading Bodies in Motion and at Rest: On Metaphor and Mortality, and I fully agree that Thomas Lynch is an exceptional writer. His ironic humor makes every essay enjoyable and his subjects are always thought provoking to say the least. I recommend that everyone read at least some of his work. Who knows, maybe some of his work will influence you as it has me.
Posted by Kathryn 2002.12.30, 10:59
So, here I was, suspended between the wonderous and terrifying Christmas holy day, and the equally awesome coming of the New Year, wholly of our own making, mind you—trying to eke out a few moments of quiet peace, reading a library book. At the dining room table. In the twinkling magic blue and yellow and red and green lights of the Tree, glowing in post Christ-be-born blush. Sipping a wine. Or two.
The book I’d chosen for the title, and the fact that it’s author wore a bow tie and hat in the photo on the back cover. When do you see that anymore? And … “Bodies in Motion and At Rest.” Who could resist?
I’m now at the last essay. Thomas Lynch has an easy way of writing that belays the intricacy, the layer, the pull of century and legacy enriching each word. He has embroidered this pillow with care, and a true needle, and stuffed it full—though it is not always comfortable, it satisfies the soul. Recline, and enjoy.
Posted by Sarah 2003.03.25, 04:14
:) Loved the book whole-heartedly. Lynch is by far the greatest master of the english language I’ve encountered yet. What was said about finding a quotable quote on every page is not being over estimated in the least. Read the book, you won’t be let down.
Posted by Amy 2003.07.12, 02:21
I have to say, that after reading this wise man’s writings, my life has taken a turn towards understanding and simplicity. He tells it like it is. I have made it my personal goal to spread his writings among all my literary friends….and they are passing it on as well. He is just amazing in his outlooks and perspectives. I have a new found respect for literature as a whole because of Mr. Lynch. The only thing that upsets me is that there isn’t more of his words to read. I want more!!! I so wish the whole world could know about Mr. Thomas Lynch. He should be contagious.
Posted by jh 2003.07.12, 11:27
The wonderful Wiredforbooks.org has audio and video RAM files of Lynch reading at Ohio University, autumn 2001.
Posted by andy glass 2004.01.25, 05:23
I am a Brritish artist. Having heard Thomas Lynch on the radio over the past year, his ‘just so’ point of view has permiated my concioness in a way no other has…. He is one of the few people that exist that can put life into context….. our andy, artist, dyslexic, ect
Posted by lynn cornberg 2004.12.25, 15:06
In the middle of my coursework on the Psychology of Loss and Grief I serendipitously discovered Thomas Lynch’s mix of mortuary science and metaphor i.e the poetic science. It had occurred to me, before finding Lynch, that criticisms leveled at medical studies footnoting psychology can be turned around in my opinion e.g. In my 3 textbooks and uncounted downloaded journal articles, I have not come across physical/medical descriptions and facts related to death. Lynch is a poet is a poet. He reinvokes a reality of death that includes images of ‘bodies in motion and at rest.’ Lynch as a mortician and poet breathes to life realities for the living. Cheers to the humor he brings to death. A good read a good way. Thank you Mr. Lynch.
Posted by Sharon 2005.04.03, 04:10
I am currently doing a blog on clothing and funerals. I am particularly interested in what people wear to funerals and how the ceremonies and dress are changing. Does the author talk much about clothing and its meaning at funerals?
Posted by jh 2005.04.05, 21:21
Sharon — he may mention clothing in passing, but (from memory) he doesn’t really dwell on it as deeply as you may like.
He’s still essential reading for you, though, if I may say so, considering the subject of your blog.
Posted by Olive Trewick 2005.07.28, 22:32
Hearing Thomas Lynch on the radio gave me a great lift just after being diagnosed with a degenerative eye dsease. Since then I have read both his books and recommended them to many friends, including my own undertaker(!). His humo0ur has a special appeal to Catholics but lmust also carry a wonderful message to all - of any religion or none. I cannot wait for his next book as I feel sure he has some more “work in progress”. It woulbe wonderful if he found the time to recor d lhis books for the Calibre Library in England. Let’s hope the day is not too far ahead.
Posted by John 2005.08.22, 06:57
Since my father was a mortician and I’m used to having bodies around the house, I had a special afinity with Lynch. Undertakers have a sometimes deservedly unsavory reputation, but my father, although not a published poet, was the exception: sensitive and keen on words.
Posted by Gerry 2005.11.06, 06:22
Just come home and was stuck in a traffic jam and by chance was listening to a reading of this poets writing “Wake me when I am dead ” People get livid when stuck in jams but having found this poet and just ordered one of his books Every cloud has a silver lining.
Posted by Kendra 2006.03.14, 10:37
Hello, I am only 15 years old, and i have read Thomas Lynch’s book, “The Undertaking, Life Studies of the Dismal Trade” this book was reccommended by my mentour Mr. White (a funeral director) to kinda give me the potential attitude i need to have twords the workplace. I do internship with Mr. White, and have been for over a year.
Mr. Lynch has inspired me to do what any stromg person can do. Now, i can go in a Preperation Room, and do what I need to do, and not worry about hurting the already dead.
The dead dont care -Thomas Lynch “The Undertaking-Life Studies from the Dismal Trade”
THANK YOU MR. LYNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!love, Kendra
Posted by Marvin 2006.08.10, 03:47
Heard you on To The Best of Our Knowledge over our local WILL AM public radio station this past Sunday. I enjoyed the interview very much and I agree, we are all the same but different. I like the idea of pumpkin wallpaper.
Posted by Abel Cruz 2007.04.13, 22:29
I’ve read the undertaking, and although i was younger at heart, i’ve lost some innocense now to understand the pain of Lynch’s knowledge. it matters not to me how you say, but what you say in your books and stories. Lynch’s messages are those of pure and awe springing detail towards the survival of pain, chronic depression, and sorrow of loss, and yet inscribing within them a hope for further purpose in life. His texts are true inspiration towards life.
Posted by rob lederer 2007.04.25, 00:12
Dear Mr. Lynch,
I read a reprint in the May 2007 Harpers of some of your remarks to the President’s Council on Bioethics. I was very moved by your thoughtful and well-written prose (well, you’re an author, after all).
I had not thought about the issues you discussed (such as “body not just a shell”) to the degree you have, or you expressed.
Thank you very much for your kind and respectful insights.
I hope the President’s Council incorporates (yes, interesting word choice i see) and assimilates your wisdom into theirs.
Rob Lederer rlederer@execmgt.com
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