A review by thebigemmt505
Unthinkable: An Extraordinary Journey Through the World's Strangest Brains by Helen Thomson

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

Unthinkable is a great peek into the human brain and it’s many intricacies. The book takes a compassionate and reflective approach to each case. The science in the book is accessible, and the reader is never made to feel like they’re stupid. The writing is well-done and very readable, although it doesn’t particularly stand out. There are a couple segments and chapters that feel disorganized; the structure changes frequently, which sometimes interrupts the pace of each case study. That being said, there’s not a dull moment in the book and each person’s brain explored is fascinating. The addition of practical applications and experiments for each brain anomaly is a great touch and makes Unthinkable an engaging read. The only other issue to note is more a personal one: something feels missing from this book. I think it could’ve been perfect with a more consistent structure, and within that structure a bit more research cited. This, and I believe it also would’ve been enhanced with a picture diagram of the brain, although that’s a very personal critique. Overall, the book is incredibly informative and accessible. I highly recommend it!