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A Celebration of Death: An introduction to some of the buildings, monuments, and settings of funerary architecture in the Western European tradition.
The subjects of funerary architecture, of commemorative structures, and of cemeteries, have suffered a curious neglect at the hands of recent writers until Curl's works started to redress the balance and inform a whole range of new studies now eagerly pursued by younger men and women. Travellers from Herodotus to Baedeker have sought out the tombs and mausolea of prehistory, of Classical, and of mediaeval times, but the cemeteries of London and of other great cities have largely been ignored by commentators. Is this, perhaps, because we play down death, robbing it of its significance, and disposing of our dead as we dispose of unwanted waste products? If so, this is a comparatively recent attitude, for even the Victorians invested Death with all due ceremony, and their monuments reflect belief in certain Resurrection. Today, those monuments are often neglected and vandalised: the ephemeral nature of life, of fame, and of love is obvious to the beholder of overgrown graveyards and wrecked monuments.
As this book makes clear, the contemporary tourist misses much if he avoids the cemeteries and graveyards, with their strange and melancholy atmosphere, their often superb monuments, their planting, and their richness of sculpture and inscriptions. The funerary traditions which Curl describes and illustrates have derived from early civilisations, from the Graeco-Roman world, and from Judaeo-Christian practice. In a broad sweep, this fascinating, beautiful, and unusual book bring us to today; it also covers a wide geographical area, and includes information about many cemeteries in various locations.
A Celebration of Death: An introduction to some of the buildings, monuments, and settings of funerary architecture in the Western European tradition (London: Constable & Co. Ltd., 1980.)
ISBN: 0 09 463000 32
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Reviews 'A richly illustrated book...Apart from its intrinsic interest, Curl's Celebration reveals an important historical point, the role of funerary architecture in the development of architectural style...He has paid due regard to the Tomb. I salute his study and recommend it for a fresh look at immortality'. Patrick Nuttgens in The Times (11 February 1980).
'A source of wonder and delight...The book's publication should itself be celebrated, for its virtues are many and important.' Christopher Ricks in The Sunday Times (10 February 1980).
'Curl has established his credentials in this field...he brings to his subject the zest which it demands. He is more than half in love with his subject, and the excellence of his illustrations fitly complements his text...a prodigious quantity of information is here assembled, as never before in English'. Maurice Craig in The Times Literary Supplement (29 February 1980).
'An admirable culmination of research over several years...a fascinating study.' Derek Linstrum in The Yorkshire Post (18 January 1980).
'....timely and important....Curl has tackled a neglected and largely uncharted subject, and he has drawn attention to much splendid....architecture....I admire the book....' Gavin Stamp in The Spectator (22 March 1980).
'...a large and beautifully illustrated book....Curl's taste is very catholic indeed....his text is a useful and interesting presentation of very valuable material. He....writes with warmth and perception about all the grander aspects of his subject'. Philip Toynbee in The Observer (24 February 1980).
'Curl created cemetery studies as a scholarly discipline....he has painted an enthralling picture...This publication is a beautiful piece of bookmaking....Potential publishers of works on garden history ought to examine it as an exemplary specimen.' Brent Elliott in Garden History viii/3 (Winter 1980).
'....the monumental work now before us cannot but be welcomed...the immense amount of research that has gone into the present publication is clear...In all the rich variety of illustration and scholarly comment which is placed before us one message comes over as clear as the last trump--a monument is intended to be a lasting memorial...A timely publication which deserves to play a significant part in ensuring a proper appreciation of, and greater respect for, our neighbours' landmarks'. C.F.Stell in The Antiquaries Journal lxi/1 (1981).
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