Stiff

The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

By: Mary Roach

Narrated by: Shelly Frasier

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)

Simultaneously repulsive and fascinating

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. There were parts that were so repulsive that I almost had to stop listening but I persevered and was rewarded with one of the funniest, fascinating books I've ever listened to. The reader was particularly good. She captured the dark humor side of the book. How can we go wrong when a book lists the most common ways of testing a corpse for truly being dead including a red-hot poker up the butt?

Loved the print copy so much...

Read the print copy a couple of years ago and even picked up a couple of used ones to give away. And STILL my own copy got feet! Many of my friends are also nurses, if you get my drift, so we are familiar with the corpse and the off-beat humor that MAY help us stay somewhat sane.
Anyway, no one can snitch this kind from me!
I think that Shelly give a great performance to a book that some might feel uncomfortable with.

Excellent!

This is a great read for the scientific and macabre mind. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions, looking around to be sure no one heard what it was I was laughing about!

Informative, though a bit dated

What did you love best about Stiff?

I read this (yes an actual printed copy) when it was first released years ago. Since that time TV, movies, etc have pretty much covered much of what this book has to offer. However, the delivery is respectful and scientific...and Human. The narrator lended a somber, but at times humorous, hand to a sensitive topic. Bringing to life the realm of the dead by melding interesting interviews and insights into each story. Overall, well worth the listen. I have listened to other publications by this author and will continue to look for more. I enjoy her writing style and method of delivering such unique topics.

Appropriate death defying humor

If you have a weak stomach, this book is probably not for you unless you're working on building anti-barf strength. However, if you're a health care provider or work in another type of profession that deals with death and dying, this book is for you. It provides a humorous yet oddly serious perspective on the physical life after death. Well worth the read!