Here, Benoit Gallot, the head curator of Paris’ Pere Lachaise (arguably the most famous cemetery in the world) shares his unique work-life experience. I so thoroughly enjoyed this book! Gallot beautifully details the history and everyday working routines of this famous cemetery but also its wildlife (complete with photos) and the life of its visitors (both living and dead). The space is an oasis of solace, a green space that is also home to red foxes, birds, trees, lichen, and moss. A love letter to the cycles of existence – life and death and the return to renewal. There is such quiet, contemplative delight and magic in these pages!
The Secret Life of a Cemetery by Benoît Gallot, (List Price: $28.95, Greystone Books, 9781778401589, February 2025)
Reviewed by Sarah Goldstein, Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia