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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
I loved this book! It is not something I would usually read, but on a whim I read it and it was so fascinating. I learned so much about the body after it dies and in a very light-hearted way. I laughed out loud a few times and couldn’t put it down.
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
TL;DR this book is amazing and I want to be Mary Roach when I grow up.
Stiff is hilarious, gruesome, and utterly fascinating. I can't remember a time where a book caused me to grimace so much as I was reading it. Between moments of horror, I physically laughed out loud multiple times while reading (another uncommon occurrence), making my partner stop what he was doing so I could read him choice passages and footnotes. (those footnotes!!)
As others have said, if you are particularly sensitive about death, this book might be a tough read. However, I still think it's completely worth it. Maybe my Catholic upbringing has hardened me a bit (memento mori and all that), but death is inevitable. I think it's worth learning about death, reflecting on it, and deciding what you want done with your body when you're gone. Plus, Mary Roach's sense of humor is impeccable and brings some needed levity to this work.
Besides loving Stiff, I have found a new role model in Roach and plan on diving into the rest of her work. (I am currently reading Bonk, which I appropriately bought during a bachelorette trip, and am having just as much fun with it). As a person, I feel like I have been cosmically predestined for Roach -- I am a scientist by trade, with a deep love for science communication and ~fun facts~ in hyper-niche fields of study. I love editing and grammar (but ignore whatever mistakes I make here). Also, based on the opinions of my teachers and friends, respectively, I am a good writer and a funny person. With all of this in mind... Mary, if you are reading this and in need of an assistant, HMU.
Stiff is hilarious, gruesome, and utterly fascinating. I can't remember a time where a book caused me to grimace so much as I was reading it. Between moments of horror, I physically laughed out loud multiple times while reading (another uncommon occurrence), making my partner stop what he was doing so I could read him choice passages and footnotes. (those footnotes!!)
As others have said, if you are particularly sensitive about death, this book might be a tough read. However, I still think it's completely worth it. Maybe my Catholic upbringing has hardened me a bit (memento mori and all that), but death is inevitable. I think it's worth learning about death, reflecting on it, and deciding what you want done with your body when you're gone. Plus, Mary Roach's sense of humor is impeccable and brings some needed levity to this work.
Besides loving Stiff, I have found a new role model in Roach and plan on diving into the rest of her work. (I am currently reading Bonk, which I appropriately bought during a bachelorette trip, and am having just as much fun with it). As a person, I feel like I have been cosmically predestined for Roach -- I am a scientist by trade, with a deep love for science communication and ~fun facts~ in hyper-niche fields of study. I love editing and grammar (but ignore whatever mistakes I make here). Also, based on the opinions of my teachers and friends, respectively, I am a good writer and a funny person. With all of this in mind... Mary, if you are reading this and in need of an assistant, HMU.
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
This book was right up my alley, a little bit of offbeat dark humor, a little true crime-esque type vibe, and honestly just straight up interesting information. To all my sciencey and true crime people out there you should give this one a whirl, I was captivated the entire time.
informative
medium-paced
I’ve had this book for years, and I’m so happy I finally finished it. I learned so much, and I’m pretty sure the content will stay with me forever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Hilarious, informative, her footnotes go to show how much work she put into crafting this novel and it shows.
informative
medium-paced
November 2024 Update: I did it! Reading is the way to go rather than listening. This book was surprisingly funny to be all about dead bodies. If you were ever fascinated by the Bodyworks exhibit, I highly highly recommend this book, just maybe don't listen to it.
Orginal recview: I've tried to read this book a couple times, it's so fascinating but also icky, which is completely understandable when talking about cadavers. Maybe one day I'll be able to get past chapter 4.
Orginal recview: I've tried to read this book a couple times, it's so fascinating but also icky, which is completely understandable when talking about cadavers. Maybe one day I'll be able to get past chapter 4.
This had a few interesting parts but I mostly kept wondering, "Why am I reading this?"
funny
informative