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A review by becandbooks
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
5.0
Note(1): This book discusses death and bodies. It also includes a lot of 'black humour'.
Note(2): This book also includes the use of animals in scientific experiments that may upset some readers
I loved this book. I also love when authors can make me love non-fiction books.
“Cadavers are our superheroes: They brave fire without flinching, withstand falls from tall buildings and head-on car crashes into walls. You can fire a gun at them or run a speedboat over their legs, and it will not faze them. Their heads can be removed with no deleterious effect. They can be in six places at once.”
This book covers a lot of disgusting, cringe-worthy, uncomfortable, and confronting topics. I mean, it's a book about cadavers, so if you haven't braced yourself for that you may be in for a shock.
This book also contains a LOT of super interesting information - information that is historical, experimental, practical, and unthinkable.
When talking about cadavers, it is not surprising that there is a lot of medical and scientific subjects discussed. And yet, Roach's unique injection of dark humour, throughout makes this truly a unique and interesting read.
While some readers may find it inappropriate, gaudy, or cringe-worthy to include humour while discussing such topics, I found it fitting. Dark humour is a common way in which humans make themselves comfortable while dealing with the idea of death, and it makes a unique addition to a piece of writing (not that I know of many other non-textbook writing that covers such topics).
As well as the interesting discussions of the many ways in cadavers live on and participate in the human society, I found Roach's explanations of how those in the cadaver field deal with this day-to-day particularly interesting and revealing. She does a great job in shifting your perception of the cadaver as a dead ex-person, in which one may attach emotions, to a vessel which is and never was the person who once resided in it.
All in all I loved this book, and everything I learnt from it. I love how Roach made such a confronting topic one that is accessible and perhaps even enjoyable to the general public. And it has given me a lot to think about with what may become of my body once I am done using it.
Note(2): This book also includes the use of animals in scientific experiments that may upset some readers
I loved this book. I also love when authors can make me love non-fiction books.
“Cadavers are our superheroes: They brave fire without flinching, withstand falls from tall buildings and head-on car crashes into walls. You can fire a gun at them or run a speedboat over their legs, and it will not faze them. Their heads can be removed with no deleterious effect. They can be in six places at once.”
This book covers a lot of disgusting, cringe-worthy, uncomfortable, and confronting topics. I mean, it's a book about cadavers, so if you haven't braced yourself for that you may be in for a shock.
This book also contains a LOT of super interesting information - information that is historical, experimental, practical, and unthinkable.
When talking about cadavers, it is not surprising that there is a lot of medical and scientific subjects discussed. And yet, Roach's unique injection of dark humour, throughout makes this truly a unique and interesting read.
While some readers may find it inappropriate, gaudy, or cringe-worthy to include humour while discussing such topics, I found it fitting. Dark humour is a common way in which humans make themselves comfortable while dealing with the idea of death, and it makes a unique addition to a piece of writing (not that I know of many other non-textbook writing that covers such topics).
As well as the interesting discussions of the many ways in cadavers live on and participate in the human society, I found Roach's explanations of how those in the cadaver field deal with this day-to-day particularly interesting and revealing. She does a great job in shifting your perception of the cadaver as a dead ex-person, in which one may attach emotions, to a vessel which is and never was the person who once resided in it.
All in all I loved this book, and everything I learnt from it. I love how Roach made such a confronting topic one that is accessible and perhaps even enjoyable to the general public. And it has given me a lot to think about with what may become of my body once I am done using it.