The Collected Regrets of Clover

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer addresses the cultural context surrounding death in Western society. In contrast to other cultures, death is often treated as a taboo subject in Western culture. Examples of such avoidance abound in the book. The most significant example is the behavior of Claudia’s family when she is nearing death. First, the family attempts to hide reality from the dying person. Furthermore, they conceal their emotions and maintain a detached, cold attitude toward the death of a beloved person. Clover’s profession as a death doula involves countering such behaviors to help individuals come to terms with death and prepare for the end of life.

In Western society, death is frequently seen as a morbid or uncomfortable topic, leading to a culture of avoidance and silence. This fear of death can be attributed to various historical, religious, and societal factors. For example, the medicalization of death has led to the distancing of individuals from the process of dying. As a result, death becomes a clinical event rather than a natural part of life. This detachment contributes to a general sense of discomfort around the topic.

However, The Collected Regrets of Clover explores the death positive movement, which has been gaining momentum in North America and the United Kingdom since the 1970s.