mvanhoeck's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating case studies but narrated in a self important and ponderous style, making this a slog to get through. I rolled my eyes so many times while listening to the audiobook, and it may not have been just the narrator. I found the frequent references to philosophy and religion intrusive and annoying.
christinafrancisgilbert's review against another edition
3.0
This is a tricky text to review. First published in 1985 its wording and discussion of certain psychological afflictions might sound dated. I read this book straight after finishing 'Bedside Stories' by Michael Foxton and found many of the case studies and sensitive presentation of 'Dr Oliver Sacks's patients [who] are often conspicuous' to have interesting circumstances.
I hadn't really known what I would find in this book though I have had interest in reading it since an ex-colleague used it in her IB teaching years ago.
At its time of publication it was reviewed as an 'instant classic' and thus this helps me conclude there is a lot to be analysed and debated in its content. I believe it has also been recommended for junior doctors' reading (not sure if that's still the case?) for its pyschiatric insights.
Calling the chapters the equivalent of 'Arabian Nights tales as Dr Sacks like[d] to describe them, providing a divertissement, an entertainment ...' seems derogatory and another perhaps politically controversial source said Oliver Sacks ' has a happy knack of turning his casebook into literature - ' The jury is out on that one...
I hadn't really known what I would find in this book though I have had interest in reading it since an ex-colleague used it in her IB teaching years ago.
At its time of publication it was reviewed as an 'instant classic' and thus this helps me conclude there is a lot to be analysed and debated in its content. I believe it has also been recommended for junior doctors' reading (not sure if that's still the case?) for its pyschiatric insights.
Calling the chapters the equivalent of 'Arabian Nights tales as Dr Sacks like[d] to describe them, providing a divertissement, an entertainment ...' seems derogatory and another perhaps politically controversial source said Oliver Sacks ' has a happy knack of turning his casebook into literature - ' The jury is out on that one...
ari__s's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fascinating - amusing at times and heartbreaking at others.
Occasionally, Sacks is a little too clinical and leaves concepts of neurology unexplained - but to be fair, neurology is essentially the nature of the book, so there actually shouldn't be the expectation of him to explain every neurology reference he makes. If anything, the references in the book that I wouldn't consider common knowledge and were left unexplained didn't leave me frustrated and confused - they made me want to pick up a textbook on neurology and learn more about what the author referenced.
This is a book for anyone who is intrigued by the capacity of the human brain. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Occasionally, Sacks is a little too clinical and leaves concepts of neurology unexplained - but to be fair, neurology is essentially the nature of the book, so there actually shouldn't be the expectation of him to explain every neurology reference he makes. If anything, the references in the book that I wouldn't consider common knowledge and were left unexplained didn't leave me frustrated and confused - they made me want to pick up a textbook on neurology and learn more about what the author referenced.
This is a book for anyone who is intrigued by the capacity of the human brain. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
ckfoster's review against another edition
3.0
This was really tough to get through because it seemed repetitive at times and outdated at others. The book was originally written in the 70s so obviously mental health research has come a long way.
Wouldn't recommend but rating a 3 because it is well written and some of the case studies are interesting. It just isn't what I was expecting.
Wouldn't recommend but rating a 3 because it is well written and some of the case studies are interesting. It just isn't what I was expecting.
library_ann's review against another edition
3.0
these are case studies of individuals with various sorts of brain disorders, dysfunctions, hyperfunctions, and I don't remember what else. some of the studies were frustratingly short, while others were just not that interesting to me. The adaptability of the human brain is a remarkable thing though, when it is allowed or assisted.
luxxen's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
2.0
It was a short read, but not as compelling as a similar book which I'd instead recommend - "The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head: A Psychiatrist’s Stories of His Most Bizarre Cases by Gary Small".
This one was fairly dry and left me with more to be desired.
2.7/5
This one was fairly dry and left me with more to be desired.
2.7/5
dhwanix's review against another edition
3.0
I'm so mad! Why did we get such a sympathetic description of the man who (apparently) gruesomely killed his partner. I know this wasn't the point of the book but that was hard to get through.