Roach, Mary (2004). Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN: 9780393324822
304 pages
Classification: NonFiction
Genre: NonFiction
Age Level: 17-19
Stars: 5 stars
Subjects: Death, Cadavers, Life, Death
Reader's Annotation
Mary Roach takes an oddly humorous approach to the true story of what happens to the body after death including medical inquiry, criminal investigation, and other strange things.
Summary
In this book, Mary Roach seeks to determine exactly what happens to the body after death. It takes a historical approach to what has happened to cadavers in the past as it examines what happens to bodies today. It delves into how bodies are used for scientific experiments and how they have furthered our knowledge of the body's systems, how bodies can be used in criminal investigations, their use in crash tests of automobiles, and other strange adventures after death. It is humorous at the right moments to keep the topic from being overwhelmingly dark and depressing, and it is an engaging read that helps uncover a topic rarely talked about in society or at the dinner table.
Notes
There can be graphic descriptions in here that are not for the faint-of-heart (or stomach), which is why it is recommended for older teens. Those with a strong stomach will enjoy the whole book; others should read with caution as they discover what, exactly, happens to the body after death.
Awards
New York Times Bestseller
Amazon.com 2003 Editor's Choice Book
Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers book
A Borders Original Voices Book
Winner of Elle Reader's Prize
Other Information
Readers who enjoy the thorough research and handling of Stiff might want to explore Spook, which examines the afterlife, and Bonk, which explores the intersection of science and sex. As with Stiff, these are recommended for older teens with maturity to handle difficult subject matter.
Author Information
