Two Guys Read the Obituaries

Steve Chandler and Terrence N. Hill
Robert D. Reed Publishers (2006)
ISBN 9781931741794
Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (11/06)

As I grow older I have found myself like many others in this world, scanning the obituaries each morning as matter of routine. Sometimes it is out of pure idle boredom and sometimes depending upon my physical aches and pains, to see if perhaps I am listed there along with others who have for one reason or other ‘met their maker.’

And so it is for Steve Chandler and Terrence N. Hill, authors of the book “Two Men Read the Obituaries.” The premise is simply that of two men, corresponding back and forth while discussing death in one shape or form within their missives.

From writings centered upon the death at 92 of Thurl Ravencroft, the voice of ‘Tony the tiger’ whom the author informs us made a living out of one simple word “grreeeaaattt!,” to the serious obituary news concerning the death of Peter Jennings, these two authors cover the gamut of pure curiosity over the average age of those who appeared in the obits on any given day, to the musings of sports scores not appearing in the morning papers when games ran long. Their dry wit, introspective writings at times bordering upon meandering thought and simple discussions of family and friends make for reading that is quite simply a peek into two old friends catching up on each others lives. With one simple difference of course, that being the subject of the day is always that of death.

Death in the eyes of these two authors is not always a somber subject, I might add. Especially when their humor comes into play touching upon death as only they can do when Steve writes to Terrence stating after a particularly thoughtful introspective regarding death and EKG brain waves, “And Phil and Don die each time they hear the sound, ‘here he comes that’s Cathy’s clown.’” It’s moments such as this, that their light humor keeps the book from bogging down from the sheer depressive nature that the subject of death might have afforded. And it is this self same humor sprinkled throughout this book that keeps the reader engaged in the writings within its pages.

Of course not all the book is light and filled with simple discussions on those who have died on any given day. There are amusingly educational moments as well. One that particularly caught my interest was Steve’s communication of 2-20-05 when he touches upon the subject of the sisters of Notre Dame apparently living approximately 20 years longer than the average age for women. He mentions that perhaps the secret of these nuns long life span was simply because they were active mentally longer than their peers. To this insight Terrence, as only he can, responds, “Seems to me the story of the sisters of Notre Dame is not about active brains, but constitutes rather the long awaited indisputable proof for the existence of God. He cares! And gives those who kowtow to him additional decades of life.” It is this edgy wit and moments of “gallows humor” so to speak, that give this book the lift that it needs in order not to get bogged down with the seriousness death might afford

Though I must admit I never thought upon first opening this book that I would be eagerly turning the pages with delight. I mean, death is a subject most of us avoid like the plague. But I must confess that after reading this book, I now look at death and obituaries in less of a somber light than before. The authors address the subject with respect, keen insight and even educational moments, but always keep on track in one way or another with their subject.

Though “Two Guys Read the Obituaries” is not one that would appeal to every reader given it’s subject matter, it is one that would be the type of book I’d recommend for that individual on your list that has a slightly skewed view of life and a different way of viewing death and all it entails. It is the type of book you give to a friend who, like me, finds reading the daily obits to be a daily occurrence and who is pleased when the day begins without their name being among those listed.

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