I found this very interesting book at the OBCZ when we checked into the Sheraton hotel for the BC 10th anniversary convention. The shelf is right by the check in desk, so while my hubby took care of checking in I got pulled to the shelf like magnet. Real bad of me to start picking up books before I released any or the book buffet was even open.

This book hasn't been registered, and a BC search didn't turn up any likely candidate, so it probably was left there by a hotel guest/staff.

Anyway, this lucky little book has joined hundred others to celebrate Ballycumber's 10th birthday.
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This is a hauntingly moving memoir of the relationship between a cadaver named Eve and the first-year medical student who cuts her open. Christine Montross brings an uncommon perspective to the emotional difficulty of the first year of medical school, and her disturbing, often entertaining anecdotes enrich this exquisitely crafted memoir, endowing an eerie beauty to the world of a doctor-in-training.

So, this is a book about a girl and her... cadaver.

Generally speaking I like reading memoirs by doctors, the cases they presented are always fascinating. In this book, Montross focused on her anatomy classes. Besides documenting the experience, she also delves into the history of dissection - the crazy days of grave robbers, and the different views regarding dissection in various cultures. I can't express how much I appreciate it, as most English books tend to focus on the American or European perspective. I remember reading an article in a medical journal from Taiwan, in which it was mentioned how at a Buddhist hospital, before each dissection class they would pray and offer incense to the bodies, and they call the donors bodhisattva - people who vow to help end sufferings and bring benefits to all sentient beings. I bet those students won't be as likely to use the intestines as jumping ropes!!

Read this for my Book Junkie Trials readathon, and now going into the science bookbox.

Putting into bookbox.

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This book returned with the Science & Technology Bookbox.

Any books I do not keep to read will continue their journey via another BCer, LFL, or distributed at a book festival.

Thanks for sending this book along and participating in the Science & Technology Bookbox!

This looks to be a fascinating, eye-opening, eyes-squeezed-shut book that I can't wait to dive into!

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Given to my niece She is interested in studying medicine and is enthusiastic to read this book. The author plans to study psychiatry as does my niece. A fortuitous choice, as I didn’t know that was the case. I love how things work out that way! Turned out to be a good choice to bring on the trip.

My thought:
As a non-medical student, I found Montross‘ meditations on her first year of med school (focusing solely on her anatomy/dissection class) humanizing. Meaning it wasn’t sterile or clinical. It had a rhythm and human touch that made it a smooth and easy read.

Thanks for sharing!

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