Book #630 – Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Seriously, nothing says Halloween quite like the dead, in fact, it’s sort of the original reason for the holiday. This book by Mary Roach was originally published in 2003, and is the first of a series of nonfiction books that she’s published between 2003 and 2016, including a “spiritual sequel” called Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife. Mary herself was a column writer for various magazines, including Salon.com, Wired, and many others.

I hadn’t heard of Mary Roach until I started this list, but if any of her other books are as entertaining and informative as Stiff, I may have to get copies of all of them. I think most of us know someone who knew someone that donated their body. The book details both the past and present status of body donation (well, past only now because the book is 15 years old). If you’re squeamish, don’t read chapter 10.

It’s hard to make death an enjoyable read. Somehow, Roach gives this book an entertaining side without being disrespectful. There are plenty of footnotes of other information Roach discovered during her research, such as the body armor of a certain tribe, or why gummi bears aren’t vegan. Roach writes like she’s talking to the reader directly about her vacation to these facilities. It makes the book feel very personal, and if you can stomach the subject being about cadavers, very informative. If all of my history books had been like this, maybe I would have actually paid attention.

There are multiple people, both alive and dead, that are brought up in Roach’s research. If the people are met personally by Roach, she includes a brief description in a way that makes you remember she was a reporter. Historical figures and people she may not have met in person, she gives a general impression or factoid with their name. And if the cadavers were given names (usually codes in order to protect the family and identity of the deceased), Roach gave description to them as well. From the various interactions with Roach, you get the sense that she herself is rather personable, and easy-going, because everyone seemed to be receptive to her questioning. That, or she left out the less personable parts of her research sessions.

The book is split into sections detailing an aspect of life-after-death. From medical and cosmetic research and anatomy labs to the debate over beating-heart cadavers and ecological burials. Remember that “Don’t read chapter 10” comment? Let’s just say Hannibal Lector isn’t alone in his food choices. For the most part, each section is contained and slides easily into the next by way of Roach’s line of questioning. It seems like a very well put together book, and one that had me questioning if I would donate my body to science, when the time comes.

Overall, I liked it, morbid as it was. If you have any qualms about what happens to your body after you die, this book may hold the answers you’re looking for. Metaphysical, however, may have to wait until I read Spook.

You are a person and then you cease to be a person, and a cadaver takes your place – Mary Roach

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