Forbidden Zone

by Michael Lesy

Explores death in society by speaking to professionals who deal with it every day, from people who work in a slaughterhouse to two competing funeral home directors

Genres: Nonfiction, Death

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Michael Lesy’s books include Angel’s World and Long Time Coming. In 2006 he was named one of the first United States Artists Fellowship recipients, and in 2013 was the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. A professor of literary journalism at Hampshire College; he lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this before, years ago, prompted by enthusiasm for Wisconsin Death Trip, to which the author often reflects in this journey to meet those professionally involved with death. This includes detectives tenting a woman's corpse for superglue fuming. Lesy vists two slaughterhouses - one a rather repellant and probably typical scene of stressed animal and assembly line gore. The other was a much more humane and nearly tranquil Jewish laughter by a ritual shoctet [butcher]. Lesy vists death row and a matter-of-fact execution officer as well as a Cherokee dark ops soldier. The final two chapters covering an AIDS ward and an undertaker rather come apart without the cohesion of clear vignettes and revelations.

[Andrew McMillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intensive study of death-related industries by a writer coming to terms with the impending death of his own father, 'The Forbidden Zone' is among the most memorable works of longform narrative journalism that I have read.

Michael Lesy spends time with pathologists, homicide detectives, slaughterhouse workers, undertakers, death row prison guards and a retired mercenary in an effort to understand those for whom death is a part of life, rather than something to run away from, or deny. Lesy is a masterful guide who doesn't shy away from telling his own story or recording his reactions to what he witnesses; indeed, the first-person, present tense style of writing is entirely appropriate for such an emotive and powerful subject matter. I also found it intriguing that Lesy quotes his own internal monologues, at length; an uncommon but not unwelcome decision.

This is the first Michael Lesy book I've read, on recommendation of a friend, and I can see myself both rereading this and seeking out his other works, particularly his first book 'Wisconsin Death Trip', which he describes in some detail in the preface here. He is a fine writer and thinker, and I recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject of human life and death.

[Mills College Library]

811.54 W7221f 1987

[Susan Chow-Dukhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Lesy's travels across the U.S. to interview people who are involved with death. Not for the squeamish, the book goes into detail regarding bodies prepared for pathologists and medical students, forensic examination of a rape and murder victim, slaughtering of cows and the embalming process. During the process of his research, he also provides us with his impressions and questions his personal opinions on death.
The reader should remember that the Mr. Lesy's writings are based on the people he encountered and may not be representative of the majority of people in the different professions. His chapters with the homicide detectives and the mercenary presented people who seemed to be extremely blase or who justified their action for the good of America.
Mr. Lesy tries to get his contacts to provide insight into why they work in the death industry. As long as we reemember that we are told the reason for an individual and not for everybody in the industry, this remains an interesting read on the death process and the professionals that are exposed to death on a daily basis.

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michael Lesy talks to other white men about other people's tragedies, completely glossing over any outside socioeconomic factors, and does a lot of navel gazing.