Stiff - Mary Roach

This was a recommendation from my father, the doctor. If you have a delicate tummy, or aren’t big on all things potentially squeem-inducing, this one will probably be a skip for you.

In my house as a kid, there was no room to be touchy regarding all things medical. Both my parents worked in hospitals, and it would be totally normal to have conversations revolving around topics most would consider “inappropriate” for dinner-time conversation (although my Mom really tried to squelsh the conversations...too bad she was outnumbered). The kicker was having a pigs leg in our fridge, covered in my fathers “practice stitches.” In case you were curious (which, if you’re still reading this, I warned you about the squeem-inducing possibilities here), pigs skin is remarkably similar to humans skin in both texture and behavior. It really does make the perfect practice canvas. Trying to explaining WHY that pigs’ leg is in the meat drawer (ha) of the fridge to a group of 15-year-old girls who just want a snack at the sleepover is less then ideal for your social life. See? Listen up kiddies, there’s serious life lessons here.

Anywhos, if you have a tummy of steel, or a natural inquisitive disposition to all things medical, then Stiff might be a book for you. My dad picked this up for a beach-read (I swear, my family is totally normal. Promise), and I found the conversations him and I had about the book to be fascinating. I grabbed this from my parents place for the plane-ride back from the holidays. I do have to warn you, the cover, along with the content, will probably get you some looks (Like yours truly received from the people on the plane, on the bus, on the subway or in my local laundromat. No, I’m not crazy. Stop staring – it’s rude). In a nutshell, Stiff is a look at what happens to bodies (dead ones) when they are donated to science. Cool, right? Just me?

If you don’t have experience with Mary Roach, she approaches the topics of her books (which also include the afterlife, sex, and spacewalking) completely blind, and writes with a fabulous sense of humor. (If the cover doesn’t put people off, the giggling Ms. Roach’s writing will cause you just might.) Some might think that using humor while discussing the deceased might come off as disrespectful, but I assure you, it never comes close to approaching that realm. If anything humor is used to temper a subject that can be uncomfortable. Ms. Roachs’ writing style was just one of the fabulous things about this book (I always appreciate a woman with a snappy wit). In addition:

• We’ve all heard the adage that two things in life are certain: death and taxes. While most people think of death as the end of their ability to further man-kind, Stiff presents a difference perspective. Bodies donated to science go on to contribute to much more fascinating endeavors then simply becoming a cadaver in a medical school lab. Why, you could be part of a forensic study to determine how bodies decompose in different states to aid detectives in solving murders, or be nailed to a cross in order to test theories surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. Aiding in crash tests to develop safer cars, or helping the FAA understand why a plane crashed could also be in your future! Seriously, how many of us have actually made that much of a significant impact on society while a fully-functioning (and, umm, alive) human being?
• While some chapters are dedicated to the uses of cadavers, others delve into the history of medicine in regards to the dead. Anecdotes about the origins of the phrase “saved by the bell” (Hint: Nothing to do with the tumultuous relationship of Zac Morris and Kelly Kapowski), medical cannibalism past and present, and the bizarre experience of watching an organ-harvest from a beating-heart cadaver, while maybe not the best cocktail party conversation starters, provide a whole new perspective on medicines roots.
• As much as bodies donated to science DON’T end up in medical school labs, a good portion of them do. The chapter dedicated to just that subject hit home the most with me. I have friends going through medical school, and have heard my father discuss his med school cadaver on many occasions. The student/cadaver relationship (abet, potentially a tad one-sided) is one of the utmost respect and even pride. The discussion of ceremonies held in honor of the cadavers from each year is down right touching.

The science nerd in me totally got down with this book. I do have to say that after completing it, I can’t imagine being put in a wooden crate and lowered into the ground for all eternity, when there are so many other options out there for me in the afterlife! Give this one a go. At the very least, you’ll have a plethora of facts to gross-out family members at the next holiday gathering.