A review by antmahn
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is absolutely one of my favorite books I’ve read to date. It’s morbid, fascinating, and funny. It takes what some consider a terrifying question, “what happens to you when you die?” and expands it to encompass questions you didn’t even know you had. What actually happens to your body if you donate it to science? How did we advance our knowledge of the human body when dissections were frowned upon? Are there more environmentally-friendly ways to dispose of your body? How has cannibalism been condoned throughout history? If you have a morbid sense of curiosity, I would 110% recommend this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, and Medical content

Moderate: Cannibalism

Personally, the only part I really struggled through was the topic of transplantation experiments on animals. Other than that, the book’s descriptions really let you know what kind of topics you’re getting into with this book.