Stiff – The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

stiff cover Stiff The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Have you ever wondered what happens to bodies that are donated to science? The lovely Mary Roach, who is not a scientist but takes a scientific approach to her books, has written a wonderfully informative, hilariously funny and at times utterly gross-out book. The subtitle of the book is “The curious life of human cadavers” and it really is a very curious book and one of the best things I’ve ever read on the subject of death, something which I readily admit to being fascinated with; from the forensic point of view, from a curiosity point of view, from the point of view of science and the unknown. Morbid I admit but how many of you out there watch shows like CSI or read books by people like Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs? Death is fascinating. Really.

In Ms Roach’s own words “For 2,000 years, cadavers – some willingly, some unwittingly – have been involved in science’s boldest strides and weirdest undertakings”. Stiff is an interesting and often incredibly funny look at the lives our bodies can take on after death.

If it wasn’t for the research and sometimes very strange experiments of these donors we wouldn’t have many of the things we take for granted every day. From surgeons practicing procedures to save lives or even giving you a facelift, airbags in cars, learning about ballistics and human decay helping to snare perpetrators of crime, you can thank a dead donor.

This book is not for the faint hearted as it goes into incredible and sometimes disgusting detail but somehow the author manages to convey all of these details with laugh out loud, very irreverent humour. Don’t get me wrong, she in no way belittles or makes fun of the dead, quite the opposite in fact. You get an amazing insight and gain a great deal of respect for those who have given the ultimate gift of their bodies to forward the science of living.

Think about surgery. From life-saving transplants to gender-reassignments to facial reconstruction and amputations, none of these would be possible if it wasn’t for the dead. Some surgeries can, of course, be practiced on living people under the close instruction of teachers but others would never have been possible if these procedures weren’t first completed on cadavers.

With wars raging around the world, cadavers have helped surgeons come up with techniques that can save limbs and lives. Every time you drive a car with an airbag you can say a little prayer of thanks to the human crash-test dummies that are helping you to be as safe as possible. Yes of course they use dummies in testing but every so often a real body needs to be used as no matter how life-like they make them, no dummy can actually realistically show what can happen to real flesh and bone. It sounds awful but think about how many lives are saved from this one experiment alone.

Cadaver donors are cut up, shot up, blown up, stitched together and taken apart all in the name of science and making the world a better place. Of course that hasn’t always been the case, this book also covers everything from the grotesque experiments of a weirdly Frankenstein nature – and I mean that in the truest sense – people trying to reanimate corpses, body-snatching, trying to measure the weight of a human soul, plastination and even composting!

Although you can easily sit back and read about the body-snatching and surgical practices of bygone eras it can be very confronting to read about a head on a tray about to get a nose job, so be prepared. It’s gore galore but extremely interesting and surprisingly entertaining. There’s also a bit about becoming a human dumpling but I won’t spoil the surprise.

The book was written because of Mary Roach’s own desire to donate her body after death so she decided to throw herself into the research and write about it. My reasons for becoming a donor aren’t very good at all. My reasons boil down to a Harvard Brain Bank donor wallet card, which enables me to say “I’m going to Harvard” and not be lying. You do not need brains to go to the Harvard Brain Bank, only a brain.

I know that many will think the subject matter is very distasteful and disrespectful, I totally understand that. Death is not something we as humans take lightly. Many will feel that the only respectful way to deal with death is by burial or cremation. After all, we are all going to die some day and most people don’t want to think about their own, or a loved one’s, body being used and abused but I’m a firm believer in “you can’t take it with you when you’re gone” so I have a great respect for those who give the greatest gift of all, their bodies – either as an organ donor or a body donor – all are are helping the living by this unselfish act.

Whether this book makes you decide to become a cadaver donor or turns you completely off the idea, Stiff is a wonderful, funny, gruesome and honest account of what may become of your body after you leave it. It’s a ripping read and completely convinced me that I wanted in. I applied to the University of Sydney to become a brain donor. The donor brains are used to study, and hopefully find a cure for, diseases like Alzheimer’s. It’s not like I’ll need my brain after I’m dead, I get by without using it much at all while I’m alive!

And if you are wondering what happens to your soul after you die Mary Roach has also written a book covering this called Spook which I’ll be reviewing very soon.

PS: You may get all sorts of guys chatting you up when they see you reading a book called Stiff on the train. strange but true ;)

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Addition by Toni Jordan

addition toni jordan

We all have quirks.  Some of us have more than others..ahem..but none of us is perfect.  Addition is the tale of one woman who lives with a BIG quirk, and her journey to build a reasonable and fulfilling life around it.

Grace counts things.  Grace counts everything.  She has an extreme form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which compels her to count everything in sight. And the end number must suit her, or she cannot proceed to her next task.  When she eats breakfast, she must first count the number of poppy seeds on her muffin.  This will help her determine how many pieces she must cut the muffin into, which will help her determine precisely how many bites, to take which will determine exactly how many times she must chew the bites before swallowing.  This is Grace’s life.  She’s OK with it.

Except that she’s not really ok.  Her life of counting has interfered with one major thing.  Interpersonal relationships.  Enter Seamus.  Grace meets Seamus at the grocery store when she realizes that she was short one banana.  You see, when you’re shopping, you must buy everything in groups of ten, and Grace only had 9 bananas in her basket.  In her desperation, she steals a banana from the man standing in line next to her.  He confronts her in the parking lot, and thus begins one of the sweetest most amazing courtships I’ve ever read.  And let me tell you, the sex scenes in this book are so hot.  They are awkward and innocent and passionate and real.

Also, this book has some of the best laugh out loud humor I’ve ever found in a novel.  Toni Jordan gives Grace a voice that is both soulful and hysterical (in both definitions of the word).

Addition is more than just a love story.  It is a story about what exactly defines us and what we should do about our personality traits that don’t fit in with societal norms.  Clearly, Grace has a problem.  And yes, she is driven by her counting.  But what should be done about it?  Should we medicate and numb a person in order to relieve them of the one thing that is wrong with them?  The parts of this book where Grace takes medication to get her counting under control are positively heart breaking, and call into question just how we as a society handle people who are not normal.

Actually, the over arching question of Addition is, What IS Normal?  Is there such a thing?  Why do we strive for it, and would we all be better off embracing our manias?

This book reminded me a bit of the film “Lars and the Real Girl” in that it asks the audience to consider whether someone who has a psychological disorder needs drugs or institutionalization…or if the best cure is actually love, compassion, and understanding.

I read this book in 3 hours 53 minutes and 29 seconds… I drank 2 diet cokes and used 6 cubes of ice.  Read Addition, and embrace your inner weirdo.

xoxo

Natalina

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The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

book The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

This has to be one of the most magnificent books I’ve read in ages.  Full of humor, suspense, romance, philosophy, Buddhist principles, and enchanting prose, “The Sacred Book of the Werewolf” is one that I’d recommend a thousand times over.

This is a book about werewolves….actually, a werewolf and a werefox in Russia; Alexander and A Hu-li. 

 A Hu-li is the werefox, who is able to transform herself into an irresistible woman, and use her charms in her occupation as a prostitute.  She hypnotizes her Johns into thinking they’re having sex with her, and she takes their money while retaining her purity.

Alexander is a Russian Intelligence officer…and werewolf.  He and Hu-li fall for each other and enter into a steamy affair that is at once very erotic and terribly sweet. 

But only part of their relationship is sexual.  The rest of it, and perhaps the most intimate, is completely cerebral.  The two talk about everything from religion and art to government and war.  The talks between the two are ultimately what lead to the dramatic change in their relationship, as they attempt to reconcile their need to overpower each other intellectually, physically, and even supernaturally, with the fact that they are hopelessly in love with one another.

But as I said, this is so much more than some paranormal romance.  This book is deep, and at times challenging to read.  The author, Victor Pelevin, takes us on a journey through post Soviet Russia, and laments at the changes in the culture and character of the Country.  Through Alexander, he shows the dangers of globalism to Russia and the rest of the world. In one moving scene, Alexander is in werewolf form, and howls forlornly next to a dried up oil well. 

There is also a deep exploration of suffering and enlightenment in this novel, bringing the principles of Buddhism into the mix.  Throughout, satire and wit are used to highlight much larger issues and agendas, and frankly, it can be enjoyed on either level.

There are major plot twists, huge surprises, and so many tangents, one might be in danger of frustration if the characters weren’t so engaging.  And the seductive, sensual nature of the scenes inside Hu-li’s bomb shelter where she carries out her affair with Alexander….I’m fanning myself just recalling those moments!

So, with an alluring and hypnotic flick of my bushy foxtail, I command you to read and savor this once in a lifetime story.  You will not regret it, I promise you.

xoxo

Natalina

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Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

goodnight nobody Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

At first glance, “Goodnight Nobody” appears to be your run of the mill classic chick lit.  While it is true that there are elements that will appeal to the traditional chick lit audience, the reality is that this is also a fantastic murder mystery, as well as an unapologetic commentary on the way women tend to lose themselves in their duties to others. It comes  from one of the most laugh out loud and brutally honest authors I’ve read in years, Jennifer Weiner.

The story involves housewife Kate Klein, who has been transplanted from New York City to the quiet town of Upchurch, Connecticut. She is married to a kind but distant career minded man and has 3 children.

While in the city, Kate herself was on the fast track as a journalist, and enjoyed fun nights out on the town with her best friend, Janie. But in Connecticut, she lives in a world of supermommies, mini vans, and designer diaper bags. Kate struggles to fit in, but she finds that she just isn’t really cut out for mommy-and-me pilates.  She remembers what it was like to be a free spirited writer, and grows weary of domestic life.

Her world is shaken by the murder of mommy extraordinaire, Kitty Cavanaugh, whose body Kate herself discovers. She finds herself completely wrapped up in trying to find the killer, and through this, discovers that not everything is what it seems in this perfect little town.

Things become more complicated when she finds that there is a connection between the deceased Kitty and Kate’s old flame, Evan. Although she hasn’t seen him for years, they meet again, and team up to try to get to the bottom of Kitty’s murder. In the process, they begin to rekindle some of those old feelings, leaving Kate confused and distracted as she tries to navigate her way through her feelings for Evan and her commitment to her husband.

“Goodnight Nobody” is a funny and honest look at how women struggle to fit in, and how boredom and doubt can sneak their way into even the most seemingly ideal of situations. The outcome is not necessarily what you would expect, and we are left relating to Kate, and cheering for her as she tries to find herself in a world where everyone tries to tell her who she should be, and where her loyalties should lie.   The title is a reference to the children’s book, “Goodnight Moon” in which a child says good night to everything in sight.  Kate says good night to nobody, spending most nights sleeping alone while her husband works.

The dialogue is funny and sincere, with some of the best comic relief delivered by best friend Janie, who joins Kate on her journey, and goes from drinking martinis in the city to Vodka and Pedialite cocktails in the suburbs.

I recommend this book especially to all women who find themselves trying to live up to standards that others have set for them, and who yearn to be loved in the way they deserve, without losing themselves in the process.
Natalina

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The Book of Joby

book of joby The Book of Joby

The Book of Job is a tricky section of the Bible, as it shows God and Satan entering into a challenge or a wager, with the life of Job, a humble servant of God, and his family, as the pawns.

I have always been fascinated by Job and his trials, and was mightily intrigued when I came upon the novel The Book of Joby by Mark Ferrari. I picked it up on a whim having read the synopsis on the back, and have never been so pleased by an impulse purchase.

“I thought so,” the Creator sighed, “The same stupid bet.”

This line outlines the premise of the book. God and Lucifer have entered into yet another bet. Lucifer is constantly challenging God for the souls of his most beloved, and God never loses. But this time, the bet is slightly different. God cannot intervene at all. The Devil and his minions may do whatever they please. The target: 9 year old Joby, a young boy with a rich fantasy life. The stakes: The fate of the World as we know it. The terms: Lucifer has 30 years to turn Joby away from the forces of good, God may not intervene, Lucifer may not physically harm the boy.

Thus begins the fascinating journey of Joby, as we watch him turn from bright-eyed boy, to disillusioned adolescent, to world weary man. We follow him every step of the way as he suffers from wave after wave of attack delivered by Lucifer, in an effort to break his spirit. And, while Joby becomes worn and weakened by the assault on his soul, he seems to retain always a spark in him, that keeps the reader rooting for him to triumph.

Now, this is not a Christian lit novel.  It is a book for grown ups with some very adult situations. In fact, most Christians would probably find this book a bit on the blasphemous side. While the main characters are mostly Biblically based (God, Lucifer, the Archangels) the themes veer into the Sci-Fi and Fantasy realm, with Arthurian intrigue and magic, as well as very human drama. The characters are so well fleshed out and believable, I found myself laughing out loud and then sobbing. I particularly loved the way God is depicted as a combination of a wise sage and a wise cracker. Lucifer is of course a slick business man, who gathers his minions in a board room, and uses power point presentations to lay out his wicked schemes.

This novel is epic in scope, and weighs in at 628 pages.  I found myself breezing through it quickly, and not wanting it to end. Never before have I read a book that so accurately portrayed the human experience and our life long struggle to make sense of the world around us.

If you are a fan of great epic tales like The Lord of the Rings you will love this book. If you are a fan of literature in general, I would highly recommend giving The Book of Joby a chance. It is one that I will re-read, that I will give as a gift, and I will treasure always.

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Welcome to Book Review Babes!

We are currently building the site so it may take on a few different schizophrenic personas over the next months as we toss ideas back and forth in a civilized manner over a cup of coffee and then move on to sipping Gins and Tonic…which will most likely end with us rolling on the floor pulling hair and bitch-slapping each other senseless until one of us gets our way. We’ll just have to see who the tougher babe is.

As my partner in crime is off the interwebs for a short time, I’ll wait for her to come back to see if we add in some photos to introduce ourselves to you all. I’d just go ahead and post some but she’s stronger than me and may punch me for doing so…which of course takes us back to the hair pulling and scratching…just no biting or hitting below the belt (at least not while she can see it coming).

coffee girls Welcome to Book Review Babes!

But without further ado, the Babes are:

CJ - who lets out her bloodlust by running Vampire Daze. She also has a couple of others up her sleeve because she seems to have a nasty case of multiple personality disorder. She’ll let you know when they’re up and running.

And,

Natalina – who chases down the paranormal and all other weird, wonderful and spooky things over on Extraordinary Intelligence. She also has her fingers in many pies (metaphorically speaking or we’d have very sticky keyboards) and we both may expand a little on ourselves with some mini bios…if we can be bothered. And you may choose to read them…if you can be bothered.

We don’t fool ourselves, we know you don’t give a tinker’s damn about us, it’s all about the books!

Well about that. We both read a lot. Not just books either, the occasional cereal box and junk mail gets a look in too sometimes. But we won’t be reviewing them. Unless of course it is an exceptionally well written cereal box or junk mail. What we will be reviewing is many different genres and every now and then – just to shake things up – we will give our separate opinions on the same book.

You can expect to find, drama, history, horror, thrillers, Sci-fi, award winning literature, classics, fiction, non-fiction, biographies and maybe even the odd graphic novel. What you won’t see too much of is chick lit. Neither of us are really into the romance genre. We may visit there every now and but expect it to be infrequently.

If you love books as much as we do we hope you’ll come back and visit, we’ll be posting reviews as often as we can. Damn, if you actually like what we write feel free to subscribe. Go on…please…our egos need boosting.

Happy reading.

CJ & Natalina

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