Stiff

The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

By: Mary Roach

Narrated by: Shelly Frasier

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's summary

An oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem.

For two thousand years, cadavers (some willingly, some unwittingly) have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure, from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery, cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way.

In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.

©2003 Mary Roach (P)2003 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Alex Award Winner, 2004

"Uproariously funny....informative and respectful...irreverent and witty....impossible to put down." (Publishers Weekly)
"Not grisly but inspiring, this work considers the many valuable scientific uses of the body after death." (Library Journal)
"One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year." (Entertainment Weekly)

Fascinating

Where does Stiff rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A very interesting book. Not top of the pile, but definitely a good one.

What did you like best about this story?

It seems an odd subject to research, so it's quite a fascinating one.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I could pause it for other things, but I did enjoy coming back to it.

Any additional comments?

As expected, it's not the most pleasant of topics at times, but it was undoubtedly interesting, even with the potential queasy factor.

Informative read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

An interesting look at what happens with the body after death. Presented in a straight-forward manner, not skipping on details but not purposely gory or morbid. This book explores thinks like being donated to science, the embalming process and a general overview of the processes a body goes through. The author throws in bits of her own thinking along the way, acknowledging the touchy and sometimes squeamish subject matter at hand with wit and sometimes skepticism. You will have a chuckle or two with her along the way. Overall, a very enjoyable way to become informed on the unusual topic of the body after.

What other book might you compare Stiff to and why?

Sort of a textbook, but the kind that is interesting and not too stiff (no pun intended). Due to the educational matter and how it is formatted into specific sections, leading and building upon one another.

What does Shelly Frasier bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

You get a sense of camaraderie and understanding when she expresses discomfort or a sense of just being weirded out by some of the subject matter. It makes your average Joe feel that he is not alone in his discomfort with some of the material presented in this book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Life of a Stiff

Strangely amusing!

If you could sum up Stiff in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating, Funny, Respectful

What did you like best about this story?

The very interesting history of the use of cadavers and other body parts (read: HEADS) in the US and world has never been handled in such a respectful, yet amusing manner. Not just your medical students' body parts anymore... Some uses will surprise you. Enjoy!

Dead bodies - really?!?

I had my doubts but a good friend swore by the book - she was true to word. The subject is odd but Mary Roach tells the stories with humor and vigorous detail. Actually it was fascinating. Ever wonder how surgeons learned about anatomy, or how detectives know the time of death? Read on.

Mary Roach did her homework!

Where does Stiff rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my top!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stiff?

So many I laughed my head off ( which I will donate to medical science)

Which scene was your favorite?

Once again they where too numerous.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The portion of the book in which she discusses the persons final wishes and how this may affect survivors, definitely something to consider.

Morbidly funny

I thought this audiobook was hysterical! As a nurse I learned quite a few answers to questions I was afraid to ask. Provided me with even more respect for the dead and a stronger desire to donate whatever is needed!

please get rid of the bald guy headphones icon!

Where does Stiff rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

pretty good!!!

What could Mary Roach have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

not much. That will take a few re-listenings.

Did Shelly Frasier do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

yes!

If you could give Stiff a new subtitle, what would it be?

not sure! so many out there....maybe

Any additional comments?

fun, however dark read!!!

Awesome book

This was truly a fun book to listen to. Loved every moment of it

Fascinating

I had been eye-balling this book for a few years, but thought to myself, "Who reads a book about cadavers"? I was especially hesitant because I lost a family member about two years ago and thought I might be picturing him while reading about cadavers. Well, I finally decided to read it - much to the dismay of my husband.

What a great book! At times I found it rather disturbing, but mostly I found it fascinating. The author is a great writer and manages to add quite a bit of humor to the topic.

Highly recommended...

Not for the faint of heart

What did you like best about this story?

Very interesting and seems well researched. Includes quite a few puns, but not too many.