Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Books


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published September 14, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 14, 2007 at 2:04 AM

E-mail article     Print view

How a medical student made peace with a corpse

As seen through the eyes of a first-year medical student, "Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality From the Human Anatomy Lab" by Christine Montross ponders the use of human cadavers in...

The Birmingham News

"Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality From the Human Anatomy Lab"

by Christine Montross

Penguin Press, 296 pp., $24.95

As seen through the eyes of a first-year medical student, "Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality From the Human Anatomy Lab" by Christine Montross ponders the use of human cadavers in the study of medicine. Montross' memoir is a philosophical view of life, death and the doctor-patient relationship.

Like many medical students, Montross began her studies by standing over a dead body. Her relationship with her cadaver, whom she calls Eve, provides the framework for observations about the medical profession. She discovers that to be an effective doctor, she must remain detached but empathetic.

Balancing this combination is difficult. Culturally, doctors are powerful. Montross is astonished by how readily people discuss intimate details with her, simply because she's in medical school. The rules of polite society no longer apply. After all, cutting, probing and dismantling a corpse is taboo.

While some students regard their cadavers as objects, Montross identifies with Eve's humanity. She dwells on her mortality. Members of her lab team are also affected. One drops out of medical school. The stress of retaining an enormous amount of information is compounded by taking apart a body that is not unlike their own.

Ultimately, Montross believes that dissecting a human cadaver prepares students for the emotional challenges of the medical profession. Being able to touch the most intimate and grotesque parts of the human anatomy is not for everyone, nor is reading about it. Yet this memoir offers a distinct view for prospective medical students on what awaits them in the human anatomy lab.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Books headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Lit Life: National recognition for Seattle's readergirlz online book community

The Ultimate Holiday Cookbook Social at Palace Ballroom

Journalist and author Amy Goodman in Seattle

Book review: "Molly Ivins: A Rebel Life:" Fearless, funny and opinionated

Book review: 'Changing My Mind': Zadie Smith ponders the mad, mad world

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

Advertising