Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Bibliographical citation:  Roach, M. (2003). Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. 303 pages. ISBN: 0393050939.

Awards: Alex Awards (2004).

Author's website: www.maryroach.net/

Annotation: Mary Roach explores the history of the use of cadavers employing a refreshingly realistic perspective and sometimes sarcastic humor.  From the role of cadavers in medical schools to the movement toward composting human remains, this will satisfy readers' morbid curiosity.

Personal Reaction: This is a comprehensive depiction of the various uses of human cadavers in the world of science.  I will first state that this book is not for the squeamish.  When I began reading this book I can honestly say that it made me a bit nauseous and I had to put it down for a bit.  I was determined to read it though, and as I  continued to read I simply tried not to dwell on some of the things that made me uncomfortable.  A few chapters in, I seem to have adjusted and was able to handle the grisly details~I think because I knew they were coming, and I also relaxed a bit thanks to Roach's sometimes funny and very smart remarks about what she is observing or studying.  Her writing has a style that feels like a conversation is taking place, especially since she tells you what is going on in her head while she is having various conversations with people that she is interviewing while researching this book.  Roach's comments are downright laugh out loud funny, so I can see why this book would be one that would interest teen readers.  It's about gross stuff that is sometimes also gory.  Throw in a bit of humor and it fits all of the criteria for teens, especially since this style definitely helps to lighten the content of the book quite a bit. 

Many of Roach's findings include reviews of the types of research and tests done on animals of all kinds since they are linked with many cadaver studies.  Author Mary Roach clearly completed countless hours of research and study in order to present her findings on the uses of cadavers.  Her travels include a medical school where she sees students practice plastic surgery on rows of decapitated heads, a meeting with a retired neurosurgeon who tried to see if a brain of a monkey could survive hooked up to another monkey's circulatory system, and a trip to China to investigate a story of a man who provided parts of cadavers to his brother's restaurant where they were used in dumplings. (This is connected to a history of medical cannibalism).

The author covers the history of grave robbers and the history of decapitation.  Most specifically,where decapitation is concerned, Roach discusses the use of the guillotine in Paris.  Is is true that the heads still move about after they are chopped from the body?  Some people claim that they do and there has been research done on this very question. There are chapters on using cadavers in crucifixion experiments, in plane crash studies, and one on the history of different practices for determining whether or not a person was actual dead.

Mary Roach discusses the many ethical questions and situations that arise regarding the use of cadavers.  What are the rights of the families?  Even if a loved one has donated their body to science, does the medical community have the right to do what they want with them?  Roach discusses these dilemmas, especially where it concerns the issues of cadavers being used to test bullets and their stopping power, as well as a place where cadavers are used as crash test dummies in cars.  Roach's findings and reports are so authentic since she visits each of these places and conducts on site research and face to face interviews.  This is important since it makes her stories believable.  There are some cases where readers may question the authenticity of a study, not because it seems that the author is making it up, but because the ideas seem so preposterous and disconnected from any kind of reality that the average person knows regarding the use of cadavers.  One example is the chapter on composting people's bodies.  Yes, I said composting.  There is a woman who believes that bodies should return to the earth from where they came and sees this as a way to save the environment.  Roach visits this site and very seriously lists the pros and cons of this practice, as well as the gory details.

This book also answers many questions by providing history of some of our culture's most common practices such as being buried in coffins and cremations, and readers are given the background of how and when these practices began.  Sprinkled through the text are pictures that are sometimes there for humor, and at other times, horror. The author herself ends discussing her thoughts on donating her own body to science and how she feels about it and whether not her husband will abide by her wishes.  I wouldn't say that I enjoyed this book only because of the content (not my normal cup of tea), but I will say that it is very well written, full of unusual and creepy information, and definitely would appeal to readers with a sense of the macabre.  That being said, it is perfect for a teen audience.

Front/Back Matter: Table of Contents, Acknowledgements, Bibliography.

*Bibliographical citation information, award information, as well as image retrieved from www.bwibooks.com (Titletales).