Musicophilia

Tales of Music and the Brain

By: Oliver Sacks

Narrated by: John Lee

Music can move us to the heights or depths of emotion. It can persuade us to buy something, or remind us of our first date. It can lift us out of depression when nothing else can. It can get us dancing to its beat. But the power of music goes much, much further. Indeed, music occupies more areas of our brain than language does - humans are a musical species.

Oliver Sacks’s compassionate, compelling tales of people struggling to adapt to different neurological conditions have fundamentally changed the way we think of our own brains, and of the human experience. In Musicophilia, he examines the powers of music through the individual experiences of patients, musicians, and everyday people. He explores how catchy tunes can subject us to hours of mental replay, and how a surprising number of people acquire nonstop musical hallucinations that assault them night and day.

Yet far more frequently, music goes right: Sacks describes how music can animate people with Parkinson’s disease who cannot otherwise move, give words to stroke patients who cannot otherwise speak, and calm and organize people whose memories are ravaged by Alzheimer’s or amnesia.Music is irresistible, haunting, and unforgettable, and in Musicophilia, Oliver Sacks tells us why.

©2007 Oliver Sacks (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"[Sacks'] customary erudition and fellow-feeling ensure that, no matter how clinical the discussion becomes, it remains, like the music of Mozart, accessible and congenial." (Booklist)

“Dr. Sacks writes not just as a doctor and a scientist but also as a humanist with a philosophical and literary bent...[his] book not only contributes to our understanding of the elusive magic of music but also illuminates the strange workings, and misfirings, of the human mind.” (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)

"Sacks is an unparalleled chronicler of modern medicine, and fans of his work will find much to enjoy when he turns his prodigious talent for observation to music and its relationship to the brain." (Publishers Weekly)

The Best Of Sacks...

is when he removes himself (and his ego) from the narratives and simply brings neurological science to the laymen in clear, easy-to-understand terms and still does not dumb things down or oversimplify. This book is the best of Sacks. He explores all the things that can go right, and wrong, in the brain in regard to music, demonstrating that there are numerous areas of the brain dedicated to understanding and processing music, and thus, I believe, shows Pinker to be wrong when he said, "music is simply 'cheesecake for the brain' and has no evolutionary value..." He does this latter best when he demonstrates the direct link between language and music and how one probably evolved from the other--that is, that music serves as a very real form of communication, even without words.

I almost never comment on narrators--but this one was very good!

A a lot of stories

A lot of stories, which were interesting, but not a lot of science to explain all the interesting findings

Entertaining short stories and case studies

Musicophilia is an intriguing stroll through Oliver Sacks' experience with individuals who have pathologies effecting musical perceptions. He goes through a number of pathologies, such as Alzheimers, that aren't typically considered related to music but can often use music as a form of treatment or way of bettering life for patients that have little else. It's an interesting and revealing listen. At times the stories seem to meander a bit but it's overall a pleasant listen with John Lee doing a great job with narration.

If you consider yourself a music (especially classical) aficionado, you'll enjoy this book more as specifics regarding composers and symphonies are referenced throughout. This book is somewhat educational, but appropriate for a relaxed audience.

quite insightful, though nothing about harmonics

loads of info aboutmusic, psychology and the brain. nothing about harmonics and tones individually though, their meanings and representations. still very potent knowledge and info.

The brain and music: how they are connected it.

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

Yes, especially if that person likes either psycology, music or the inner works of our brain. It is very well narrated, very informative.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is not a fictional work. But you can relate to some of the cases discussed in here.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

I didn't finish all the book yet, but John Lee has done a great job. I downloaded another book narrated by the author himself. I could not stand it, whereas in this book even the most technical details seem to be a normal complement to the whole book. With a lesser narrator, I don't even know if I could stand it either.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is not that kind of book, although someone else might be more sensitive than me as to this.

Any additional comments?

I cannot say what exactly makes this book so good. Could be its narrator, the way it is written, the odd aspects related to music, or the whole ensemble. Whatever it is, is a very good reading to learn things about our mind.

Very interesting

Wow, didn’t know what to expect, but found the book to be a refreshing and interesting look into worlds I before hearing knew next to nothing about…very approachable content!

some repetition but great subject

I'm already a big fan of his take on the world, so accepted the following two issues you might need to be aware of: 1)There are occasional repetitions. 2)The scientific citations, easy to gloss over while reading a paper page, aren't served that well by the listen-only format--not that gripping... But what interesting material!! The style is overwhelmingly anecdotal,so it's not that challenging to follow. He explores the interplay of brain anatomy/function and the musical ability or appreciation--how they influence each other.His fondness for the people whose stories he tells is clear. The narrator is quite good, I thought.

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Would you consider the audio edition of Musicophilia to be better than the print version?

Cannot respond. Did not read the print.

What did you like best about this story?

This story agreed with many things I have always believed about music. E.g., Rhythm is probably one of the most primitive emotions we have and respond to. Each key has a different "mood" to it, so do certain intervals.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He sounds like what I imagine Oliver Saks voice would sound.+

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

It would make a potentially excellent documentary.
"HowWeRespondtoMusic."

Recommended

What did you like best about Musicophilia? What did you like least?

The subject matter and insight into the ways humans work and how little we know about it is what intrigues me most. The repetitiveness of the episodes narrated is what can get boring.

Do you think Musicophilia needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. It is well self-contained.