Stiff Audiobook By Mary Roach cover art

Stiff

The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

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Stiff

By: Mary Roach
Narrated by: Shelly Frasier
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An oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem.

For two thousand years, cadavers (some willingly, some unwittingly) have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure, from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery, cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way.

In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.

©2003 Mary Roach (P)2003 Tantor Media, Inc. Anatomy & Physiology Biological Sciences History History & Commentary History & Philosophy Medicine & Health Care Industry Science Sociology Suspenseful Thought-Provoking

Editorial reviews

Mary Roach unzips the body bag and tells us far more than we thought we wanted to know about what happens to our bodies after we pass away. And yet somehow, she makes you want to know even more. It's like watching something repulsive but fascinating through cracks in the fingers you placed over your eyes so you wouldn't see. The author takes a deliberately humorous, academic tone as she describes these fascinating atrocities, and Shelly Frasier mirrors the author's tone perfectly. That very dry humor pervades the entire book; never cynical or condescending, never adolescent or tasteless, and it makes what could be a ghastly, repellent subject surprisingly upbeat and entertaining. Despite all that, we can't recommend that you listen to this audio book with a bunch of 11- or 12-year-old girls in the car with you, unless you enjoy hearing "Eeeew - gross!" squealed in a high-pitched voice over and over again. To some, that would be a fate worse than...well, death.

Critic reviews

  • Alex Award Winner, 2004

"Uproariously funny....informative and respectful...irreverent and witty....impossible to put down." (Publishers Weekly)
"Not grisly but inspiring, this work considers the many valuable scientific uses of the body after death." (Library Journal)
"One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year." (Entertainment Weekly)

Featured Article: A Future Corpse's Guide to Death Acceptance


Confronting death does not necessitate a spiral into despondency. Instead we may come a realization that, in acknowledging and accepting this fate, we paradoxically lead fuller and more emotionally present lives. In this list, scholars, physicians, journalists, philosophers, and death professionals share their stories, perspectives, and advice, offering a glimpse into how we can prepare for the end with grace, heart, and humor.

Featured Article A Future Corpse's Guide to Death Acceptance
Engaging Humor • Respectful Approach • Perfect Comedic Timing • Educational Storytelling • Thought-provoking Content
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I enjoyed this book thoroughly. There were parts that were so repulsive that I almost had to stop listening but I persevered and was rewarded with one of the funniest, fascinating books I've ever listened to. The reader was particularly good. She captured the dark humor side of the book. How can we go wrong when a book lists the most common ways of testing a corpse for truly being dead including a red-hot poker up the butt?

Simultaneously repulsive and fascinating

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Read the print copy a couple of years ago and even picked up a couple of used ones to give away. And STILL my own copy got feet! Many of my friends are also nurses, if you get my drift, so we are familiar with the corpse and the off-beat humor that MAY help us stay somewhat sane.
Anyway, no one can snitch this kind from me!
I think that Shelly give a great performance to a book that some might feel uncomfortable with.

Loved the print copy so much...

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This is a great read for the scientific and macabre mind. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions, looking around to be sure no one heard what it was I was laughing about!

Excellent!

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What did you love best about Stiff?

I read this (yes an actual printed copy) when it was first released years ago. Since that time TV, movies, etc have pretty much covered much of what this book has to offer. However, the delivery is respectful and scientific...and Human. The narrator lended a somber, but at times humorous, hand to a sensitive topic. Bringing to life the realm of the dead by melding interesting interviews and insights into each story. Overall, well worth the listen. I have listened to other publications by this author and will continue to look for more. I enjoy her writing style and method of delivering such unique topics.

Informative, though a bit dated

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If you have a weak stomach, this book is probably not for you unless you're working on building anti-barf strength. However, if you're a health care provider or work in another type of profession that deals with death and dying, this book is for you. It provides a humorous yet oddly serious perspective on the physical life after death. Well worth the read!

Appropriate death defying humor

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This is one of the best books I've purchased from audible. I got it on a whim and was amazed at what an entertaining treasure this book is. I mean, it had such an impact on me that not only did I register as a donor when I renewed my license, I also changed my post-mortem plans of being cremated to being donated to science. Before this book I was horrified at the thought of what would happen to me after death...I cringed at the thought of discussing death. This book has really changed my outlook on the whole thing. Mary Roach is very insightful and I love the way she thinks...the dark humor is very familiar. She went above and beyond in her research, as she isn't involved in the "death industry". I'm so thankful that she decided to write this wonderful book instead of her usual books on travel. Shelly Frasier is amazing as well. Great voice and expression. I have listened to it 3 times as of 12/13/11...and will listen to it again I'm sure.

An underestimated jewel of a book!

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Where does Stiff rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top 5

Have you listened to any of Shelly Frasier’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard her other performances but would be glad to listen to another.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No some of the subject matter needs a break now and then.

Any additional comments?

A fascinating subject that is deftly handled both in writing and performance. I bought the book in part because it was on sale and in part because it had good reviews. I agree with the reviews. Well done!

Informative & deftly written with humor

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Mary Roach packed the book full of very interesting information. If you can handle the topic, it is well worth the time. It was all interesting, but I found some of the topics to be absolutely fascinating (enough so that I would rewind and listen to them again to make sure I caught everything). Stuff I didn't realize I was too squeamish to want to know!

I am not sure how she kept her sense of humor with such a grotesque topic, but there were many times I was laughing at things that I would never had thought could be funny. She has a very clever sense of humor that is sometimes subtle and sometimes like a club over the head.

Several times I had to check to see if it was Mary Roach narrating because Shelly Frasier made it seem like she was telling a story, not reading text. I am not sure how to explain it, but it flowed very naturally and her comic timing was superb!

It's like a car wreck, you can't look away!

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This book was recommended to me by a friend a while back, and when I found it here on sale I jumped at the opportunity. I didn't regret it - it was both interesting and funny, and the narrator did a good job. As someone else mentioned foreign words/names aren't pronounciated very well, but honestly.. what can you expect from native English speakers? Most aren't known for their language skills, and so most listeners won't care.

Brilliant

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Inspired by the tv series, 6 feet under, I thought it would be interesting to read about what really happens after we die. The author even discusses our options, from the traditional to the enviromentally friendly. This book lead me through a reflection on what death really means to me and so many others. Facts, gore, and humour, what else could I ask for?!!

Dead right!

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