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A review by jenbsbooks
The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat by Oliver Sacks
3.5
This was a book club selection ... I bought the audio (AudibleExclusive) on a sale knowing it was coming up, and managed to snag a Kindle copy from the library. I've completed my listen and will do a basic review now, but this is one that I'm planning on re-reading myself to prep for book club discussion. SO many words I need to highlight and look up. I need to look at the TOC and see the parts and chapter headings to see what I remember right off after listening (which stories made the most impact). Right off the top of my head, I'm not remembering much from the 3rd section. The author breaks up his presentations into four parts: Losses, Excesses, Transports, The World of the Simple. Each has an introduction and then several different cases showcasing that issue.
The Kindle copy I have has two introductions/preface to the book, one written in 1985 for the original (this is what was included in the audio, read by the author ... some slight changes I a listened and compared it to the text. Listed as "Author's Note" in audio, Preface in Kindle). The second preface written in 2013 (so I missed out on it in audio) addresses the fact that "written in the early 1980s, contains a number of words which are, thankfully, outmoded today. "Idiot savant" "simpleton" "moron" "retardate" and the like, were the terms of the day, and as such I have left here." I will admit that during part 4, even assuming this (as I hadn't read this until after I completed the audio) it still was hard not to find it offensive. The author states "I no longer agree with some of the things I wrote in HAT ..." but then doesn't really tell us WHAT those things are.
So my first thoughts, after a quick audio listen and glance at the Kindle copy are that, this was very interesting, although at times seeming for the "lay" person, also still technical and over my head. In some ways, it all overwhelms and saddens me, that there can be so many struggles (and this is just neurological issues). Having been to the neurologist for some more minor issues (seizure) I worry about future issues. I just don't want to deal with anything, even small things. I'd rather just be done than have to struggle and cope and be a burden. It is amazing and overwhelming ... the brain, and life, and health and happiness ...
Right now I am planning on a re-read, where I can highlight and take notes, but we'll see if it keeps my interest enough for the time that would take (as it is just for book club, not an actual school assignment).
I loved the movie "Awakenings" ... this author is the doctor featured there, and wrote the book. Not having read the book, I presume "the movie was better" as the presentation of the writing is difficult at times to comprehend completely (and I felt like the movie did a great job, of course I can't really judge having not read the book). I'd like to give it a rewatch, but it's not streaming anywhere ... I may have it on DVD, I'll have to look. Apparently there is a new TV series out "Brilliant Minds" that is based on this book, so I think I'll have to check that out as well.
Two uses of proFanity (quotes).
The Kindle copy I have has two introductions/preface to the book, one written in 1985 for the original (this is what was included in the audio, read by the author ... some slight changes I a listened and compared it to the text. Listed as "Author's Note" in audio, Preface in Kindle). The second preface written in 2013 (so I missed out on it in audio) addresses the fact that "written in the early 1980s, contains a number of words which are, thankfully, outmoded today. "Idiot savant" "simpleton" "moron" "retardate" and the like, were the terms of the day, and as such I have left here." I will admit that during part 4, even assuming this (as I hadn't read this until after I completed the audio) it still was hard not to find it offensive. The author states "I no longer agree with some of the things I wrote in HAT ..." but then doesn't really tell us WHAT those things are.
So my first thoughts, after a quick audio listen and glance at the Kindle copy are that, this was very interesting, although at times seeming for the "lay" person, also still technical and over my head. In some ways, it all overwhelms and saddens me, that there can be so many struggles (and this is just neurological issues). Having been to the neurologist for some more minor issues (seizure) I worry about future issues. I just don't want to deal with anything, even small things. I'd rather just be done than have to struggle and cope and be a burden. It is amazing and overwhelming ... the brain, and life, and health and happiness ...
Right now I am planning on a re-read, where I can highlight and take notes, but we'll see if it keeps my interest enough for the time that would take (as it is just for book club, not an actual school assignment).
I loved the movie "Awakenings" ... this author is the doctor featured there, and wrote the book. Not having read the book, I presume "the movie was better" as the presentation of the writing is difficult at times to comprehend completely (and I felt like the movie did a great job, of course I can't really judge having not read the book). I'd like to give it a rewatch, but it's not streaming anywhere ... I may have it on DVD, I'll have to look. Apparently there is a new TV series out "Brilliant Minds" that is based on this book, so I think I'll have to check that out as well.
Two uses of proFanity (quotes).