Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Title: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers



Author: Mary Roach
Genre: non-fiction: science, dead people
Rating:

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What I say:

In driving past a cemetery last week, the conversation went like so:

ERICA: When I die I think I want to be cremated.
ME: I want my body donated to science.
CHAPIN: I want to be fed to the hungry.

At the time we all laughed uproariously, but upon further thought this would not be an entirely unusual (at least in an historical context) use for one's mortal remains. Indeed, dead humans have been met a number of needs in the medical, scientific, and religious communities many of which are more shocking than feeding the hungry.

Who knew dead people could be so engaging? Mary Roach, a respected and thoroughly intriguing science writer suspected it and set out to prove her theory.

In this well-researched (and thoroughly funny) book, Roach explores the various fates of human cadavers through the ages. She delves into medical and anatomical research, organ donation, the heroism of crash test corpses, the many uses for the human head (including transplantation), as well as things to do with your body when you're dead. As a pacifist I may not be completely at ease with the idea of my body being used for ballistics research, but I silently salute those whose bodies have.

The last couple of chapters dealt with the various ways of disposing of one's body, from burial to cremation, from brain banking to plastination. She even dedicates a large portion of a chapter to composting, perhaps the disposal means of the future.

What will I do? I enjoy the idea of plastination and subsequent use as an anatomy teaching aid, though also am a big proponent of body composting. As Roach discusses, however, what is done with a body should be decided by the survivors' comfort and not a dead person's selfish wish.

~a m i~

Girlfriend in a Coma

Title: Girlfriend in a Coma













Author: Douglas Coupland
Genre: fiction
Rating:

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What I say:

Part love story. Part dystopic fantasy. Coupland continues his trend of searching for the meaning of life through characters and settings that seem to be devoid of any kind of meaning whatsoever.

Ever lament the state of the world today? Think things used to be a lot better? Sometimes wish you could completely withdraw from society as it stands? Coupland explores these questions and desires that have become so common that they're almost mundane, and comes to some interesting conclusions, and implores the reader to follow the same path the characters are about to embark upon at the end of the novel. (It may be a good idea to avoid the office's Xerox machine for a while after you put the book down. Trust me.)

More plot-driven than Generation X, the book that set the benchmark against which all of his work will always be measured, though still not without moments where he beats you over the head with metaphors (can't you just see him - "LOOK!!! THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! DIDN'T GET IT THAT TIME? HERE! LET ME REMIND YOU!)

Anyone who is into deconstructing absolutely everything that happens in the course of an ordinary(ish) day should love this book. And almost everything else Coupland has written. Be forewarned, though - if you're anything like me, you may find yourself drunk at a bar, pen in hand, analyzing every interpersonal interaction you've ever had, using sentence fragments. eg. "I once had an all consuming crush on a girl. She had a website devoted to John Stamos. And a boyfriend. It was unfortunate."

~mf~

Under the Banner of Heaven

Title: Under the Banner of Heaven

Author: Jon Krakauer
Genre: non-fiction: true crime/religion
Rating:

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What I say:

My first introduction to Mormons, like many folks my age who grew up in Eastern Canada, was from the commercials that aired during my childhood. They were always steeped in family values and left one with a warm, loving glow. "This has been a message from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

So before moving to Arizona I knew Mormons existed (though hadn't met any), but had little idea what the religion entailed. Most of the press they received in international and national news (Globe and Mail) was defamatory, usually involving the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints and their practice of polygamy both in Canada (Bountiful, BC) and in the US (Colorado City, AZ and elsewhere).

In Arizona, there are Mormons everywhere. I've met a gazillion of them. They're really nice, and have great family lives. But still the polygamy issue bothered me... I found "Under the Banner of Heaven" on sale at my local Borders and decided to read up a bit about the best and worst Joseph Smith's followers had to offer.

Random House categorizes this book as "True Crime - Murder; Religion - Mormonism". Do not take this lightly. Some of the anecdotes and histories told herein are gory, others just plain disturbing. Krakauer exposes the extremist LDS spinoff sects and explains the religious and societal atmosphere that spawned them. It's worth a read, and worth bearing in mind that religious extremists or fundamentalists of any kind are not necessarily indicative of mainstream adherents.

~a m i~

The Da Vinci Code

Title: The Da Vinci Code

Author: Dan Brown
Genre: fiction
Rating:

What they said: Links to reviews

What I say:

I really didn't want to like this book. I promise you, reader, I tried my best not to. The problem is that it's so darned compelling...

How does one review a book that spent so many weeks/months/years at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list and manage to sound original?

Read this because you want to feel suspense.
Read it because you'll guess wrong.
Read this book because you want to know her secret.
Read it and decide for yourself how fictional it is, or is not.

Do not open this book unless you have time to finish it. The writer of this review will not be held responsible for missed work, skipped appointments, broken dates or missed season finales of bad reality TV as a result of the reading of this book. Consider yourself warned.

~a m i~