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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
I stumbled upon this book per chance, so your interest might be different to mine.
To get something out first: I am not sure that I do like the book's style too much. It is about seven recollections, some are autism-themed. The author's style got a very "Sherlock Holmes" vibe to it with multiple references to other works of him a la "the curious case of..". And the organization is weird at best: lots of footnotes as well as an additional "further reading" chapter. I do believe that some editorial work could have done: move essential footnotes into the text and the others into the appendix to improve the reading flow. But that might lead to a bit less show-offy book too.
The stories themselves are interesting.. a lot of lyrical waxing goes on though. I did not really get into the book (that might be also related to the before mentioned excessive foot-noting). I do like the stories where the author does not seem to need to show off what he has been reading (and I know that this is more than a bit sarcastic that I mention that on a book-reading website) more, the turning point was "The landscape of his dreams" with the subsequent autism chapters getting better and better.
So, what about the overall theme? I am not sure if this falls into the psycho-voyeurism niche but a point very well made was that autism or blindness is not inherently something negative but that it is mostly made that by people not having those abilities. This de-stigmatization is the books strongest message.
To get something out first: I am not sure that I do like the book's style too much. It is about seven recollections, some are autism-themed. The author's style got a very "Sherlock Holmes" vibe to it with multiple references to other works of him a la "the curious case of..". And the organization is weird at best: lots of footnotes as well as an additional "further reading" chapter. I do believe that some editorial work could have done: move essential footnotes into the text and the others into the appendix to improve the reading flow. But that might lead to a bit less show-offy book too.
The stories themselves are interesting.. a lot of lyrical waxing goes on though. I did not really get into the book (that might be also related to the before mentioned excessive foot-noting). I do like the stories where the author does not seem to need to show off what he has been reading (and I know that this is more than a bit sarcastic that I mention that on a book-reading website) more, the turning point was "The landscape of his dreams" with the subsequent autism chapters getting better and better.
So, what about the overall theme? I am not sure if this falls into the psycho-voyeurism niche but a point very well made was that autism or blindness is not inherently something negative but that it is mostly made that by people not having those abilities. This de-stigmatization is the books strongest message.
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Some of the language is dated, but this is truly an incredible read. I learned so much and the author writes with so much knowledge and empathy that you get a true glimpse into each subject's life.
Оказывается, издан не только "Человек, который принял жену за шляпу"! Отличные новости для тех, кто хочет почитать ещё интересного от невролога, выдающегося не только основным профилем, но и умением рассказывать. В книге: художник, который рисовал только один город и художник, потерявший цветное зрение; несколько аутистов и "идиотов-гениев" а также хирург с синдромом Туретта. Крайне любопытно!
vet interessant, ik wil ook de knuffelmachine van temple grandin
A series of in depth case histories of Sacks' neurology patients, told with a great deal of compassion and understanding of their essential humanity. I especially enjoyed 'The Case of the Colorblind Painter', about an artist who lost the concept of color, and 'The Last Hippie'. I wasn't as crazy about the two essays on autistic patients, and actually felt that the story 'An Anthropologist on Mars' was the weakest of the bunch (but that may be due to the fact that I had read about Temple Grandin before). The other 3 essays were solid. All in all, a fascinating, compassionate look into some of the strange things the human brain can do.
I've read this book over several months and it's been a pleasure. Sachs writes wonderful essays on people who are suffering from strange psychological issues. He spent a good portion of this book on people with autism. The anthropologist on Mars is Temple Grandin.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
although I thought the cases and even the studies were very interesting, I thought the author had an issue with the people he studied. He seemed to have a disgust or distaste for them always pointing out their obesity and flaws. It frustrated me that he seemed always so disappointed in them.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Fascinating stories with a very accessibly tone, but I felt that the first half was stronger than the second half. Also, the last few stories used dated terminology consistently, and felt almost dehumanizing to the people written about. The sections about autism were partially uncomfortable. However, I also recognize that this was written in the 90s, and that the medical community has come a long way since then. I might give another one of his books a try since I have heard that they are more widely read & known.
I'd give the first 5 stories in this book 4 stars, and the last two stories 2 stars, so 3 stars overall. I know I'm reviewing a book in 2023 that was published in 1995 (be prepared to read the R word *a lot*), but I can't believe this passed for acceptable writing about autism even then.
During Stephen's story, Sacks reminds the reader again and again that Stephen posseses no emotional depth, and that Sacks never knows how Stephen really feels. This, despite Stephen showing and telling Sacks how he feels multiple times. Sacks just dismisses these behaviors as rote learned behavior, not real feeling (with no evidence except the circular logic that Stephen is autistic).
The final story is about Dr. Temple, who Sacks describes as "one of the most remarkable autistic people of all: in spite of her autism, she holds a PhD in Animal Science, teaches at Colorado State University, and runs her own business". I laughed out loud. I'm not sure what would suit an autistic mind - with its propensity for special interests, creative intelligence and being alone - than a PhD (as someone currently doing one). And Sacks knows this too. These qualities are mentioned repeatedly as common in autistic people, so why is it surprising that they should find success? The whole thing feels so condescending.
I don't think you need the knowledge of the last 30 years to know that autistic people have fulfilling, successful lives. Temple knows this, and I appreciate that we get her positive perspective of autism towards the end (I just hope that that was also Sacks' view in the end, though I don't know).
During Stephen's story, Sacks reminds the reader again and again that Stephen posseses no emotional depth, and that Sacks never knows how Stephen really feels. This, despite Stephen showing and telling Sacks how he feels multiple times. Sacks just dismisses these behaviors as rote learned behavior, not real feeling (with no evidence except the circular logic that Stephen is autistic).
The final story is about Dr. Temple, who Sacks describes as "one of the most remarkable autistic people of all: in spite of her autism, she holds a PhD in Animal Science, teaches at Colorado State University, and runs her own business". I laughed out loud. I'm not sure what would suit an autistic mind - with its propensity for special interests, creative intelligence and being alone - than a PhD (as someone currently doing one). And Sacks knows this too. These qualities are mentioned repeatedly as common in autistic people, so why is it surprising that they should find success? The whole thing feels so condescending.
I don't think you need the knowledge of the last 30 years to know that autistic people have fulfilling, successful lives. Temple knows this, and I appreciate that we get her positive perspective of autism towards the end (I just hope that that was also Sacks' view in the end, though I don't know).