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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
3.5. There was some really interesting stuff and some well-placed humor. But it just took me a really long time to get through this. I'd love to see an update on some of the things because 2003 is specifically noted more than once and is when the book came out.
May consider donating my body to science now though.
May consider donating my body to science now though.
This was such an interesting book.
I'm totally becoming a tree after I die.
I'm totally becoming a tree after I die.
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
What a really well-written book and dare I say—morbidly funny too! (I think) this is the first non-fic book I've picked up this year and I absolutely love it. I had a blast reading and comparing the information here to the current day and age. One of the interesting updates I found online: Wiigh-Mäsak and her husband declared bankruptcy, Promessa's assets were liquidated, and Wiigh-Mäsak passed away from cancer not long after. But in hindsight, there are now plenty of funeral houses offering alternative methods like natural organic reduction a.k.a. human composting, which is just as ecological and (maybe even more) humane than Promessa.
The chapter on "beating-heart" cadavers is my favourite chapter to read and reflect on. Out of pure curiosity, I navigated to my country's organ donation website, and it was such an eye-opening moment to see the statistics there: as of May 2025, 5,415 people have pledged to donate, but more than 10,000 people still need donations. I consider myself a useless scum in society (lol), and I think about ending my life multiple times, but after reading this chapter and realising how hard my heart works to keep me alive, I decided to be one of the pledgers. That's the least I could do as another human being who didn't choose to be here.
Ps: I love how Roach thanked the nameless donors in her acknowledgments.
The chapter on "beating-heart" cadavers is my favourite chapter to read and reflect on. Out of pure curiosity, I navigated to my country's organ donation website, and it was such an eye-opening moment to see the statistics there: as of May 2025, 5,415 people have pledged to donate, but more than 10,000 people still need donations. I consider myself a useless scum in society (lol), and I think about ending my life multiple times, but after reading this chapter and realising how hard my heart works to keep me alive, I decided to be one of the pledgers. That's the least I could do as another human being who didn't choose to be here.
Ps: I love how Roach thanked the nameless donors in her acknowledgments.
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
This is grotesque, funny, and educational--learn how you can become a tree when you die!
dark
informative
fast-paced
Mary Roach has written a fascinating book, but wow, my stomach was unprepared for some of the contents. Stiff is not for the squeamish. Or animal lovers. Roach documents (with great detail) some of the experiments run on human cadavers and the analogous experiments done on not-so-naturally-dead animals. The history of cadaver science apparently has many animal sacrifices. You've been warned.
I would have given a higher rating if the contents hadn't made me almost up-chuck my lunch when I was listening to the audiobook at work. Roach is a great journalist and her curiosity leads her to some really interesting stories. I'll have to check out one of her other books (preferably one with less corpses) so I can listen without overwhelming nausea.
I would have given a higher rating if the contents hadn't made me almost up-chuck my lunch when I was listening to the audiobook at work. Roach is a great journalist and her curiosity leads her to some really interesting stories. I'll have to check out one of her other books (preferably one with less corpses) so I can listen without overwhelming nausea.
informative
fast-paced
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
Perhaps a little peculiarly structured, but an incredible book with insane amounts of research and time put into it. I flip flopped back and forth between four or five stars, settling on a tentative four. Despite this, the quality of the work shouldn’t be underestimated.