Narrated by: Duane Scott Cerny
Publisher: Thunderground Press
Age: Adult
Genre: Non-Fiction – Memoir
Format: Audiobook
Release Date: July 15th, 2022
Goodreads
Rating: 5/5 Stars
I was really intrigued by this book right from the cover and title. I admit, the world of antiques and vintage items isn’t something I’m overly familiar with, outside of the occasional wander around antique shops (which are absolute treasure troves and after listening to this book, next time I’ll definitely have a deeper appreciation for them!).
This book isn’t just about that world, but the author’s life, too, as well as the variety of people he’s met through his business, including the deceased he learns about through the things they leave behind. Cerny is clearly a talented writer, able to convey what this business is like and the unusual things they encounter in warm, funny tones, giving you something to laugh at in one line before hitting you with an emotional punch in the next.
There are certain stories here that, I think, will say in my mind for a long while, from the woman who calls Cerny and his business partner to show them a unique piece of theatre memorabilia, to the woman who refuses to leave her property, and the fortune teller who delivers bad news. The book is told in a really flowing style, that draws you along and keeps you following from one chapter to the next. They sound more like loosely connected essays than a coherent narrative, but for the nature of the book it absolutely works.
I think the cover here, however, is a little misguided – it truly makes the book seem a lot darker/morbid than it really is (though it has its moments!). It’s clear Cerny has lived an absolutely fascinating life, and has an ability to relay that in a really entertaining way. I definitely think if you’re going to check this one out, it’s worth listening to the audiobook as the style really comes to life in the author’s own voice.
Reading Challenge
2023 Tarot Reading Challenge
Prompt: Death – a book that explores themes of death/mortality
Progress: 15/164 Completed
Unwrapping Words 