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)

Unexpected animal cruelty descriptions aside...

Was not prepared for the numerous descriptions of animal cruelty. Otherwise very informative and entertaining.

Detailed, and exciting.

Shelly did a great job, it's chapter gets you excited for the next, and you feel yourself listening until the book is over. I had a hard time pausing this one. The tone of the narrator is perfect for this book, she has an exciting and welcoming voice. I definitely recommend this one.

Don't waste those nutrients!!!

This is one of those books (audio) that causes me to endanger the motoring public because I'm laughing so much (infinitely preferably to those which make me cry, although I don't suppose it matters much to the drivers of my near-misses). Also, Shelly Frasier is the perfect reader. Mary Roach does her homework, and the book presents much to ponder as to the hows and whys of the myriad situations in which cadavers find themselves (or parts of themselves). I am personally leaning toward composting when my time comes. Enjoy!

Hah!

I almost didn’t get this one. If you’re curious enough that you’re reading reviews, buy it. It’s a little squeamish but it’s fun and thought-provoking. I especially liked the wrap-up where she shares her thoughts on what to do with her own body. I’ve had some grieving recently and I found this book to be a comfort, in a funny way.

My grandparents have a little ash vault at their church - there’s a note in it, “Actually, we’re at the lake.” After reading this, I appreciate my dad not putting them in the vault.

Brilliant!

You might not expect to be so heartily entertained by the subject matter - dead people - but this book was so full of fascinating details, written with such candour and humor that it held my attention all the way to the end.
The narration was equally excellent, with a slightly rueful style that perfectly matched the material.
Don't be put off; corpses can keep you company for ages!

Stiff , but not uninteresting.

If you aren't put off by hearing about death and the available processes offered after death, this book could be one very interesting read. I certainly thought it was.

Darkly delightful

Very interesting! I especially enjoyed how Roach is able to pepper this gruesome tale with bits of sarcastic commentary, as well as dark tid-bits of silliness.
It had some unnecessary bits of what happens to the body but also fascinating explanations of poking and prodding to try to prove everything from the crucifixion to a puppy implant!
I would suggest it to anyone who is not squeamish, but if you are squeamish... Why are you looking at a book called "Stiff"?

love it!

The author does a beautiful job of blending humor and reality. Shelly Frasier does a wonderful job narrating and inflecting this humor vocally. I cringed and laughed out loud throughout the book.
Definately glad I took the time to listen to this!

OUTSTANDING!!!!

This book is absolutely fantastic. I have read it before and just listened to it for the first time. The performance was great and the text speaks for itself. Mary Roach finds a way to talk about things that most people don't talk about. She writes respectfully but with a witty sense of humor that keeps the book upbeat even with the somewhat dark subject matter. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about the processes of death and the act of body donation.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!

This was a fascinating look into what happens when you die. It's super funny, witty and kept me interested the whole time. I didn't want it to end. I'm about to buy her other books.