Book Review: Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World’s Holy Dead by Peter Manseau

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were discussing Mary Roach’s book, Stiff, while having a merry time at our then-favorite pub.  I have always been fascinated with the Catholic Church and the the Catholic obsession with saints and worshipping bodies long dead.  The incorruptibility of certain saints and the worship of their bodies as relics is fascinating.  It just is.  I wondered aloud to my friend why Ms. Roach did not include these bodies in her compendium of uses for once-live bodies.  My friend said that I should just ask her, so… I did. 

Ms. Roach quickly replied that she had intentionally left out the incorruptible saints as it is not exactly a profession that just any body could take up, unlike that of medical cadaver or a body donated to science.  Then she recommended I read Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World’s Dead written by Peter Manseau.  Well, when Mary Roach recommends a book, people, you read it. 

Rag and Bone reminds me of a memoir.  Certainly, it is about holy relics, but not only that; it’s a book about a man’s journey visiting important relics from all different religions.  It reads almost as a travel journal would, and tells a story, not just of the relics, but also of those who worship them.  My inquiry about incorruptible Catholic Saints opened a door.  I hadn’t realized that so many religions have bits and pieces left over from the days their important leaders walked the earth. 

From whiskers, to teeth, to entire bodies, Manseau’s descriptions of his journeys to the various relics are vivid, as are his descriptions of the relics themselves.  He explains the historical and political relevance of each relic, and tells a little about similar relics to those that he visits.  Manseau has a knack for observation; his descriptions of interactions with those he encountered on his journeys leave you feeling as if you had witnessed the encounters themselves. The stories are engaging and informative, and the book reads almost like a novel. 

Rag and Bone tells the stories of the world’s holy relics.  Manseau is a wonderful storyteller.  Through his stories of the relics, he tells the stories of those who worship the relics as well.  Manseau turned what could have been a boring examination of what are essentially old body parts into an examination of people. Relics are important to people, but people are important.  Life is important.  Stories are important.  Manseau is a wonderful storyteller, and a great teacher.

After reading Rag and Bone, I want to come up with some other question for Mary Roach.  She has excellent taste in books.