book discussion questions to Stiff

Book Discussion Group
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

1- In her introduction to Stiff, Mary Roach remarks that "Death. It doesn't have to be boring." What do you think about death before and after reading the book? Why is it that we do not discuss this topic with others?

**I thought the distinction between death and dying was interesting. Mary Roach said watching her mother die was traumatic, but then once she had passed away the dead part was bearable. I think a reason we rarely talk about this subject is because the only time it really comes up is when someone has been dying. And so then it would be talking about someone's loved one as the cadavier and that is a difficult and even inappropriate subject matter.

2-Each chapter is such a unique and interesting topic on the life of cadaviers, did one stand out more than the others for you, and why?

**I thought the "Eat Me"chapter was the worst. I was reading this chapter by my four year old daughter and I must have been making squeamish faces because she kept asking me what was wrong. I also found the first few chapters to be very interesting due to the novelity of the topic. I had no idea there were so many uses for cadaviers.

3-What did you think of Roach's use of humor? Did it help make a grim subject matter more approachable or merely distract from the content?

**I loved Roach's sense of humor. In fact, it is totally my sense of humor! I did not find it distracting or disrepectful. There are many examples to choose from, but i will quote just one such humorous aside about the many uses of gelatin located on page 139. "What I am getting at here is that if you're going to worry about mad cow disease, you probably have more to worry about than you thought. And if there's any danger, which I like to think there isn't, we're all doomed, so relax and have another Snickers."

4-In the conclusion to Stiff, Roach discusses whether it is appropriate or reasonable to attempt to control what happens to your remains after death. Do you think it is more important to honor the wishes of the dead or the wishes of those whom the dead leave behind? Why?

**Before reading Roach's arguments I would have said it is more important to honor the wishes of the dead. But maybe that is just our culture. We do what the dead have requested especially in those deaths that are not unexpected. But I think Roach made a good argument for honoring the wishes of the living. So I guess basically I am torn. I can see both sides and I am not really convinced either way.

5-The last chapter of the book, Mary Roach sums up what her plan for her own body after she passes away. Did she have a plan already, has it changed? Or, has this book helped you to get a better idea of what you want to do when you die one day?

**I have always been opposed to being embalmed. I do not like funerals much at all either. I have said for years I just want to be buried immediately in a burlap sack. I am also currently an organ donor. But now I really like the idea of composting. Also I am certainly not opposed to donating my body to science.

A GREAT BOOK!