The Secret Life of a Cemetery

“[An] enchanting portrait of [Gallot’s] otherworldly workplace” —The Bookseller ""[D]elightful and thoughtful ... A spirited look at life inside Père-Lachaise, as told by its philosophical and funny curator."" —Kirkus Reviews “A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the world’s most famous cemetery, this book unlocks the many mysteries of Père-Lachaise. It’s filled with beautiful anecdotes about the rich meaning to be found in a life caring for the dead and their families.” —Bess Lovejoy, author of Rest in Pieces: The Curious Fates of Famous Corpses “A fascinating, witty, and delightful book about life among the Parisian dead.” —Peter Ross, author of A Tomb With A View “Père-Lachaise, the second international cemetery I ever visited, made me fall in love with the history, the celebrities, the amazing sculpture. This book opened my eyes to Père-Lachaise as a living organism. As much as I’ve read about the cemetery, I see it in a new light now. The Secret Life of a Cemetery made me long to visit again!” —Loren Rhoads, author of 222 Cemeteries to See Before You Die “This book is full of surprises about the world’s most famous resting place—from the fascinating and amusing histories Gallot reveals to the eloquent, page-turning prose. Each chapter took me on a new turn down Père-Lachaise’s famed cobblestone walkways. What a delight to read! The Secret Life of a Cemetery will now occupy a cherished spot on my bookshelf.” —Greg Melville, author of Over My Dead Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America’s Cemeteries “Paris’s famous cemetery is as full of life and history as the city itself.” —Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French