Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

I really enjoyed this book. The author has such a unique writing style that kept me entertained and engaged, even when discussing some heavy and dark topics. I really enjoyed the mix of modern topics and historical review. I get the hype about this author now!

I have always loved factual books that share information on a quirky way and this book checks the box. It's interesting to learn about all the ways cadavers are used and the funny add-ins by the author that makes one chuckle about a topic that doesn't seem like it could be funny.

“Death. It doesn't have to be boring.” In this informative and hilarious book, Mary Roach discusses the lives of cadavers from past to present. With detailed descriptions of experimentations, organ donation, and other options that can happen to cadavers, she takes us on a journey of the human body after death, but only if you choose that route. “We are biology. We are reminded of this at the beginning and the end, at birth and at death. In between we do what we can to forget.” This was a fascinating and slightly disturbing book. It is not a comfortable read (or listen) but it is fascinating and informative. I never knew there were so many possibilities for cadavers. I loved Roach’s blend of information and humor because it makes learning about an uncomfortable topic fun. “When you get right down to it, there is no dignified way to go, be it decomposition, incineration, dissection, tissue digestion, or composting. They're all, bottom line, a little disagreeable. It takes the careful application of a well-considered euphemism—burial, cremation, anatomical gift-giving, water reduction, ecological funeral—to bring it to the point of acceptance.” This book has changed my perspective on donation and it makes me consider even more what I want to do with my body when I die. I know I don’t want to be embalmed but this might be a viable option, and it would help others. I highly recommend this book, especially if you want to learn about other options for your dead body. Trigger Warnings: graphic experimentations on animals (both live and dead) and cadavers

Whipped through it listening too the audiobook along with it while on a plane. Each chapter is a different way that cadavers are used so it’s super easy to breeze through it and want to learn about the next topic. Very good for the morbidly curious and the author asked a lot of questions when interviewing that I would ask too. Narrator Shelly Frasier on Spotify is great.

USE THE WORD MAGGOT, MARY. WE CAN HANDLE IT.