Memento Mori: The Dead Among Us

I admit, Paul Koudounaris' books are pricey - but SO worth the money. All books are bound well, nice, thick stock paper and beautiful, absolutely beautiful, photos. True, the subject can be a bit off-putting, but if someone thought that would they buy the books anyway? What I appreciate most about his books, and this one as well, is that he treats the subject and subject matter with dignity. He doesn't make it a joke or an "off fascination", no macabre off-putting humour... He doles out the information as a professional and packs the book full of amazing photos. I appreciated the chapters on death in Indonesia and the Philippine as they are not normally highlighted in books as these so I learned something new. Some of the info and photos were duplicates from his other books, but I still think it was worth the purchase.

At first I was a bit put off by the rather bland looking cover, thinking this may be just a knock-off to keep the money coming. I was very happily incorrect - the book itself is absolutely gorgeous, with a shiny, satin-like cloth cover printed with gold foil lettering. This addition to Mr. Koundounaris' amazing previous offerings is, believe me, BETTER and more morbidly gorgeous than his other works. Don't hesitate to purchase this amazing photographic journey into the world of death's memorials, with a great deal of interesting and informative text to accompany the stunning pictures. Plus, the entire concept is treated with dignity and utmost respect - no gore or dismal, bleak photos of abandoned cemeteries. A truly breathtaking walk through histories attempts to memorialize the otherwise forgotten dead..."As You Are, They Were. As They Are, You Will Be."

This is a gorgeous book. The photos are so high quality I can spend hours just flipping through pages looking at them. The stories are fascinating, and the authors voice shows through in his narration style throughout the book. Wonderful for the morbidly inclined.

This is book is impressive. Just like the other two titles of Koudounaris in the same area, the photographs displayed are breath taking. This book is larger in trimming dimenssions than previous titles, however, there is less word count on this one. I believe images have a main role on this title, and they serve the propose. I found a great interest in relating the European traditions previously displayed to similar practices in other parts of the globe. This book is beautiful, design was right on point and the visuals aspects are just one of a kind. I am still intested in learning more about the topic.

Coffee Table Book? Scholarly, Textbook? Amazingly it can be BOTH! Koudounaris has this subject so well showcased in his 3rd book. Very VERY nice. Aesthetically, the cover is a very exquisite blue shiny fabric - silk like. He has such a great way of photographing the subjects. Disarmingly beautiful and respectful of the subjects. He obviously knows the subject matter and history, has done impeccable research. Kudos Mr. K.

This is a beautiful book filled with colorful and interesting photos of how several different cultures treat and view their dead - or better, display their dead. It could best be described as a coffee table book due to its size (just over 13" tall) so it doesn't stand upright on a bookshelf very nicely unless your shelves are highly spaced apart. The photos and the stories/information contained within do make this book a real treasure to read, look at and want to explore more.

This was a gift for my friend and is a fantastic book. 4 stars for being shipped with a stain on a satin cover.!

Excellent for answering questions, author is extremely knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor and respect.

Was very excited to add this to the other Koudounaris books I own

I cannot recommend this book enough, it's one of the most beautiful in my collection. The product photos do not it justice, the cobalt blue satin cover with orange accent alone make it piece I want to so proudly display in its own right. The content is dealt with with the same sensitivity, respect and admiration which we've come to expect from Paul, and as always, the photography is truly stunning. It's not as text heavy as The Empire of Death, and far improved on in terms of size and scale from Heavenly Bodies. An exquisite, comprehensive and inspiring art book that is a true celebration of the relationship between life and death, in all its technicolor beauty.

Die Bilder und die Sammlung von Eindrücken rund um die Welt ist wirklich beeindruckend. Informativ sind die Texte, allerdings wiederholt sich hinterher vieles und der Aufbau ist inhaltlich nicht wirklich nachvollziehbar. Mir sind die Bilder aber am wichtigsten und davon gibt es reichlich.

PAUL KOUDOUNARIS の「HEAVENLY BODIES」「THE EMPIRE OF DEATH」に 続く写真集です。（発行年順を間違ってたらスミマセン） HEAVENLY BODIES はカタコンベに着飾って存在する骸骨達を納めた写真集で、 THE EMPIRE OF DEATH は「死の帝国〜写真図説・奇想の納骨堂」と 日本語版が出ている通り、見渡す限り骸骨で覆い尽くされた海外の納骨堂を納めた写真集です。 それらが主にヨーロッパのもので、上記２冊と重複する写真も多いですが、 この MEMENTO MORI はそれに加えて、アジアや南米の 骸骨の言うなれば「死生観」の写真を納めた本です。 日本の「即神仏」という言葉は出ていますが、写真はありません。 鉄門海上人など、日本の即神仏はどちらかというと展示されるというよりは 非常に神聖で恐れ多い感じでその場所に「存在」しているけど、 海外ではもっと骸骨は身近に存在しているのだと思わされる写真が たくさん載っています。 僕は英語がわからないので詳しくは説明出来ないけど、 ボリビアでの風習というか、行事のようなものがあり、 それらをうつした写真から想像するに、帽子をかぶせてあげていたり、 サングラスをかけてあげていたり、タバコもくわえさせてあげたりしている 頭蓋骨を持ち寄ってその行事が行われている場所に家族が集まって来ていて それら個々の頭蓋骨に一緒に花をかざってそこに展示している写真をみると、 まさに、生前それら、いや彼らはそんなふうに帽子や眼鏡をかけて家族と一緒に 暮らしていたんだろうなぁと実にリアルに、でも当たり前の事として理解する事が出来る。 つまり、日本人は家族が亡くなると墓に納骨し、骨自体は「隠して」 死者の「魂」に語りかけるのが死者と繋がる方法であるのに対して、 海外では亡くなった家族は死者ではあるけれどいつでも「そこにいる」と 言う考え方なのだなぁと思った。 ボリビアの、花に囲まれた骸骨達は怖いというより、 むしろ楽しく感じる。死生観の違いだから骨を側に置いておこうという 日本の風習を変える事はこの先もないと思うけど、そうして骸骨をいつも 側において亡くなった家族を思うのも悪くないと思った。 仏壇を毎日拝んでも墓が故郷など住んでいるところより遠くにあると なかなか行けないし、人間は忘れる生き物だから日が経つにつれて 亡くなった家族の事も彼岸や盆にでもならないと思い出しにくくなってるけど、 常に生前と変わらない姿で骸骨にそこにいてもらうと、恐怖心もなくなり、 いつもと変わらず「対話」出来るだろうなと思わされた。 そんなふうに思える写真が満載なので、まずは手に取って見てほしい。 日本語訳されているので英語苦手な人は「死の帝国」のほうも読んでみてくれたら良いと思う。 本自体、とても豪華なので電子版ではなく、ぜひ書籍で購入してみてほしい。 骸骨好きな人、あの世好きな人、ゴスロリ好きな人等等・・・ 楽しめる事間違いないと思う。 ゴスロリ好きな人はHEAVENLY BODIES もぜひ、オススメです。

Me encantó, hermosa colección de fotografías de lugares recónditos con prácticas funerarios poco conocidas en el mundo occidental.