by Philip Kerr
First published 2020
Philip Kerr joins fourteen other writers in this anthology examining the human body organ by organ. Each author takes on a different body part to reveal how these hidden systems shape our lives. Naomi Alderman dissects our relationship with food through the intestines. Thomas Lynch examines the womb as life's starting point. A.L. Kennedy investigates how the nose triggers memory. Kerr himself maps the evolution of brain surgery across centuries. The collection moves through lungs, hearts, kidneys, and other vital organs that keep us alive while remaining mysterious to most of us. These writers transform medical anatomy into personal reflection. They show how our physical selves connect to emotions, memories, and identity. The book reveals the body as both mechanical wonder and source of meaning.
Genres: science, medical, non-fiction, biography-memoir, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: anthology, essay-collection, medical-nonfiction
192 pages · Paperback · Wellcome Collection