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The Rag and Bone Shop

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O’Keane is a psychiatrist and this detailed book delves into what makes memory, feeling and abnormal states such as psychosis - including after having given birth - and dementia. She also delves into false memory, trauma and collective memory.
She combines neuroscience, biology and psychiatry, mixed with a dash of fairytale and folklore!
She includes some fascinating case studies - patients she has seen over her career.
There is a lot of physiological detail which makes this a technical read. It is so dense that I ended up reading it in bite-sized chunks.
There were so many ideas covered here that I sometimes felt that I was skipping around inside O’Keane’s brain.
Recommended for those interested in the hard science of what makes us tick.

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Subtitled 'How we make memories and memories make us', this intriguingly titled book doesn't disappoint, being an enlightening and thought-provoking read.

While it features plenty of science and medical case studies, there are also examples from literature - which are fascinating!

The author is a practising psychiatrist who has spent many years observing how memory and experience are interwoven.

Why do memories feel so real? Why is place so important with memory? How are our sensations connected to memory? Are there true and false memories? What happens to memory in mental illness?

She draws on examples from literature to highlight how the understanding of memory and psychosis has changed over the years with examples from 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and 'Waiting for Godot' by Samuel Beckett. She also refers to the life and work of Virginia Woolf, John Banville, Marcel Proust, WB Yeats, Lewis Carroll and others.

This book is many faceted. Some of the case studies are too involved, in my opinion, and the scientific information is very detailed though still accessible to the lay person, but the references to literature are compelling.

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I really tried to like this book. The subject was really interesting to me and I was keen to learn more. Sadly, the writing style was just not for me. I kept pushing myself to try and finish it but in the end it just was not enjoyable. There's a lot of unecessary information in there and the explanation of the science still feels difficult and confusing. I felt like I was reading a 200 page long scientifc paper instead of a book. And even though I wanted to learn more about how we remember and how we form memories every time I closed the book I was just more confused. There is a lot of information but it is not organised properly so nothing sticks. And for a book that is exploring how are mind rememembers, it felt very disappointing not to be able to remember anything. Overall , a very interesting subject but poorly executed.

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Thankyou so much to NetGalley and Allen Lane for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful, unique and thought provoking book.

We are made of memories. They shape our lives and the lives of those we love. This book examines just how those memories are stored and how we access them. I thought that this book blended the anecdotal with complex scientific thought perfectly. There was just enough science to support the writers thoughts without it becoming inaccessible to the layperson. I will be re-reading and recommending to friends, particularly those working in mental health.

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The human brain is a complex organ and one in which we are just beginning to make strides in our understanding. Here, neuroscience and medicine come together in an exploration of memory and the tricks our minds can play on us. There is a lot of heavy scientific content which can slow down the reader but this is interspersed by historical narrative and first person experiences. Written by an experienced practitioner, cases are used to illustrate the manifestation of the brain chemistry.
I found this book fascinating and quite sad as individuals cope with symptoms that seem so real to them but not to the rationale mind. Not every story has a happy ending but O'Keane's passion and sympathy shine through.

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‘The Circus Animals’ Desertion’ was the final major poem published by W. B. Yeats in his last volume of poems. In the last line, he talks about ideas springing from ‘…the foul rag and bone shop of the heart’. In her book, The Rag and Bone Shop, Professor Veronica O’Keane explains how the various parts of the brain – the cortex, hippocampus, insula, amygdala, etc. – work separately and together so that we sense – and make sense of – the world.

O’Keane gives a lot of information in straightforward language but doesn’t talk down to the reader at all. She does, however, expect us to keep up and give her the courtesy of paying attention. This is not a casual read but the reader who engages with the text will have a great understanding of how the brain works. My view of mentally ill people has changed from a simple – possibly slightly scornful one, to my shame? – to a much more sympathetic one. O’Keane states “Hearing a sound, a human voice, is a subjective experience, whether the voice originates in the outside world or is generated in the brain by pathological neuronal firing. The experience of hearing the voice is similar in both cases.” In other words, whether another person in the room is speaking to you or you are alone, your brain is behaving in the same way and it tells you that you have been spoken to.

The sections on biology and neuroscience are interspersed with case studies from her career. This combination of science and humanity makes the book so rewarding to read. O’Keane states “Memory is, in its essence, the infinitely complex neural representation of sensory information that has been carried to the brain.” And “Ultimately, what is memory without emotion – an endless repertoire of experiences without any human meaning. And emotion without memory? A shallow flitting from one object of desire to the next.”

Why is it that, like Proust, a scent or a phrase or the sight of an object, can cause a rush of memories and the emotions we associate with the trigger? O’Keane quotes Donald Hebb’s brilliant phrase, “Cells that fire together wire together.” The first half of the book tells us about the role performed by various parts of the brain and the second half explains the process of memory. Although Beethoven couldn’t hear external sounds because the auditory nerve passing sensations from his eardrum to the auditory region of his cortex no longer worked. However, his auditory cortex remembered the sensation of hearing various notes, instruments, etc., and send neural representations of those sounds (memories, to you and I) onto his prefrontal cortex. Therefore, Beethoven could imagine how his music would sound. The staggering thing is that his brain was putting all those individual memories (piano, trumpet, singers) together in a way that they had not been combined before. He had to imagine ALL the new music he wrote after becoming deaf.

As I said, this is not a book to read casually - the language is simple but you do need to keep up. If, though, you’re willing to concentrate, you will have a great appreciation of brains, thinking and memories.

#TheRagandBoneShop #NetGalley

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REVIEW: The Rag and Bone Shop by Veronica O’Keane

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am often frustrated by my poor memory and with a family history of Dementia it is a subject that holds great personal interest to me so this book appealed instantly to me.

A practising psychiatrist O’Keane seeks to explore the topic of memory through poignant stories of her patients, literature, fairy tales, genetic history as well as the latest neuroscientific research in a bid to decipher the puzzle that is the human brain from birth through to adolescence and old age.

O’Keane’s belief is that through developing an understanding of serious mental illness and how that manifests within the brain we will unlock everything we know and feel as humans, and in turn lead to advancements in the treatment of mental health.

This was a fascinating read and I learnt so much about my brain, the way I think and about memory formation. It made me reflect some of the potential causes for my poor memory. The inclusion of case studies within the text proved to be of most interest and it was clear the impact these people had on the author.

At times this did get a little bit scientific but I commend O’Keane’s ability to deliver the information and then explain and summarise with context so that as a lay person I was able to understand and follow her work.

Anyone who has an interest in the human brain, what makes us human and or mental health this is one to pick up.

Thank you to @netgalley and @allenlanepr @penguinukbooks for this copy ❤️

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The book delves into the scientific and cognitive processes that are involved in creating & recalling memories, but also what consciousness really is and how our idea of self is developed.
Overall this is an accessible exploration of how humans develop, recall & process memories and the links with emotions. There is enough science to ensure credibility, but also references to literature and folklore as well as case studies, anecdotes & stories from the author’s practice as a psychiatrist to make it interesting & relevant. I particularly enjoyed the historical sections, looking at what we use to think about the brain & treat those who were mentally ill compared to current practice.
It’s quite a serious book & not one to skim read, but the style of writing makes it easy for the non-medical person to understand, though it will be of more interest to those with an interest in science or perhaps someone looking to delve into memory after having a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimers or similar.

I am not sure about the title (taken from a W B Yeats quote “the rag and bone shop of the heart”) and think that the subtitle “How We Make Memories and Memories Make Us” would be better explored as a title.

Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. Whilst my thanks go to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this, all opinions are my own.

#TheRagandBoneShop #NetGalley

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I was very curious about how memories are actually formed as I've read a little about it before, but I never thought of the way memories do form us in a way. 
This book was full of discoveries for me. I was taking my time with it as so many things needed to be digested slowly. Definitely wasn't the one to rush.
It is written in a language that is easy to read and understand, but it gives you such an indepth look into how our brain works in the memory department and how it may affect us in all different ways.
It was a brilliant and indulgent read. I have thoroughly enjoyed it!

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An enthralling look at memory: the complex processes/parts of the brain involved in the formation, storage, editing of memories from childhood to adulthood; but also how memories impact our idea of self and our personal stories. Through a combination of scientific research, patient cases, literature and personal experiences O'Keane builds a very detailed image of what is happening in the brain re memories, but also presents us with a historical view of what we use to think about the brain, the mentally ill and how everything is in constant change now due to the rise of neuroscience and brain imagining.
Despite this falling in the popular science category, there's still a lot of scientific terminology as well as an in depth exploration of processes and the brain to require quite a bit of attention/dedication from the reader. It can even be challenging at time and I guess it's going to be more for those with an interest in science than for a reader of fiction. But at far as I am concerned, it was an engaging and very informative read that I wholeheartedly recommend.

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I've always been interested in scent memories. The smell of a certain face powder invokes memories of my Nan. I can't stand the smell of the Body Shop Dewberry as it reminds me of feeling miserable at 6th form, and so on.

This is a fascinating read, I found it hard going in a few places but definitely worth it.

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This book considers how humans form memories, and how these in turn affect human experiences. Supported by well-chosen case studies, it explains not only the scientific and cognitive processes involved in memory-making, but also covers broader themes such as human consciousness, subconsciousness, and collective memory. My favourite passages in the book related to the importance of ‘place’ in all its forms, whereas I found the sections on psychosis and mental illness harder to process. As an introduction to the research area of psychiatry for those of us who are non-experts, this book is without equal and I warmly recommend it. My thanks go to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC I received.

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3.5*
 
As per the tagline, in The Rag and Bone Shop, O'Keane is looking at how we make memories, and how they make us.
The book spans a range of content, from the specific processes involved in the brain to understand, form and store sensate experiences as feeling memories to the intersection of memory with wider concepts such as consciousness, selfhood and collective memory.
 
The focus of the book is not quite what I had expected, but this is on me as I was looking for something a bit more flowery and philosophical whereas this takes a more scientifically detailed approach of looking at memory processes themselves, supported by key psychology case studies and those of her own personal and professional experience.
 
I do feel that I have come out of this book with a better technical understanding of memory as well as a new perspective as a reader of human stories in terms of how narratives are constructed and the interplay between age and mental illness with memory and perception.
 
O'Keane's journey through memory also took on a personal significance for me, as we moved through the chapters I was able to revisit many cherished memories and reflect upon their pervasiveness in my life and identity.
 
Like all writings that are so broad in scope, some chapters were more appealing to me than others. I particularly enjoyed those touching on the significance of place for the recall of memory and emotion and on the way in which memory is constantly in flux and reconstructed in the context of the present. Likewise, there were areas I would have liked to have seen O'Keane push a bit more, the section on collective memory in particular felt a bit weak and limited. I also think it would have been valuable to see more non-Western perspectives embraced in the volume.
However this is of course a very personal commentary of what I find interesting and would like to think about in a bit more detail.
 
Overall this is an accessible and wide reaching look at the human experience/process of memory that I think would serve to open up new perspectives and ideas with which to consider almost all areas of life (due to the all-encompassing nature of memory!) and if nothing else, will take you on a (mostly) pleasant trip down memory lane.
 
"Present experience and memory are in a never-ending dance of construction and re-construction"

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This is a fascinating and insightful book. O’Keane writes in a way which is absorbing and approachable, whilst retaining her professional knowledge and allowing the reader to access this. Many difficult concepts are made comprehensible through her rich narratives and caring attitude. A wonderful and thought provoking book.

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Psychiatrist Veronica O'Keane explores the meaning and nature of memory.

Drawing on clinical observation, and referencing literature, film and folklore, O’Keane covers the latest research in neuroscience, as well as giving a potted history of what we understand of memory and the mind, a tour of the brain, and an explanation of biographical and cultural memory.

The aspects covered are so wide-ranging, this book is likely to be one which the average reader will dip in and out – I’ve marked several passages I want to return to in future.

Well-researched, accessible and enthralling.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Press UK for the ARC.

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I was taken in by the subtitle “How We Make Memories and Memories Make Us” as well as the image suggested by the title (which itself is derived from a poem by WB Yeats). Like most of us, I’m fascinated by the workings of memory and Veronica O’Keane with a full and varied career in neuroscience is an ideal guide.
The book falls soundly between an exploration for the general reader and those who are able to absorb all the science. I did try really hard to grasp the wonders of brain chemistry and function but there were too many amazing bits of brain doing amazing things. I could follow the gist but struggled to take it all in, having to go back over bits when I picked up the book again, my memory itself perhaps letting me down.
What is fascinating are the case studies from the author’s career and I also particularly liked her bridging of science with art, especially literature, where she credits some writers, amongst them Samuel Beckett and the oft-cited Proust of finding ways of conveying the workings of memory and memory disorders before science had a chance to explore these gut feelings and turn them into scientific fact.
I also very much liked O’Keane’s ability to get us to grasp concepts with examples from her own life - the “prescient memory”, described broadly as the past merging with the present, depicted here as a succession of visual memories as her son left home to go to college and “meta-consciousness” as the experience of her fondness of year-round sea swimming and that transcendent feeling of being at one with the environment which when reading her description becomes fully comprehended.
It’s not intended as a book to help boost memory but there is a little fillip for those of us well into middle age- knowing that you have forgotten something is itself a form of memory, it is when you start not knowing you have forgotten something that could flag concerns.
If there is a star of the show it is the hippocampus, the mysterious sea-horse shaped part of the brain which, like plastic, is fairly adaptable. London Taxi drivers who have studied The Knowledge have been found to have larger right side hippocampi because this is where the brain has its memory of place. The left side is for biographical memory which can shrink when a person is depressed leading to potential amnesia, but it is able to reactivate itself. I found out a lot about this part of the brain and it was fascinating.
As well as the correct workings there’s plenty of examination of when things go wrong and misfires occur (obviously these are the aspects which teach professionals so much about the brain), there’s the history of neuroscience, what happens to our memories and emotions at different parts of our lies and the whole concept of “false” memories is examined as well as a little look into the future of this relatively recent discipline.
I think it’s a book with parts that will stay with me, memory-wise, and I may want to revisit certain sections but as a whole it is a little overwhelming but that’s to do with me and a lack of basic scientific education rather than the quality of the work here.
The Rag And Bone Shop is published in the UK by Allen Lane on 4th February 2021. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the advance review copy.

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The Rag and Bone Shop is a book about the complex neurological processes involved in making and storing memories.

The author draws on experiences working with those suffering with post-partum psychosis and used some excellent case studies to illustrate her examples. She also uses a wealth of other materials and current research.

I was excited to read this book as I am interested in learning more about the process of memory making and storing and thought it sounded intriguing. However, I confess to being overwhelmed by the scientific nature of the book and having just finished some light fiction I struggled with the switch between the two.

It was clear that the author knows what she is talking about and it is obviously well-researched but I found myself dipping in and out of the book quite often.

An interesting read but not for me at this time.

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The Rag and Bone Shop is a fascinating account of memories - how we form them, and how the areas of our brains interact to allow us to access them. It also examines how mental illness and brain disorders affect our memories. Written by a psychiatrist, the author draws on real life case studies which brings the subject to life. History and philosophy also form the background to this examination of neuroscience, and despite some scientific detail, it is quite accessible to the layperson.

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I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review

A very fascinating read on how our brains work, how we form memories, and how do they affect us.
Veronica O'Keane touches on cognitive, social and developmental psychology among others, making it easy for anyone to understand even without a prior knowledge of psychology/psychiatry.

Straightforward explanations of how neurons work and how dendrites connect between one another and descriptions of how the amydgala works and the importance of the hyppocampus are backed up by stories of real-life patients that O'Keane dealt with personally during her career as a psychiatrist. Sometimes, she brings in novels and poetry as well, demonstrating how psychosis is actually way more common in our world than we might think. We probably just don't really know that we're reading or listening about a psychothic episode. Among the authors and works cited, we see W.B. Yeats multiple times, but also Dostoevsky, Virginia Woolf, Aldous Huxley, and Henry James.

The books feels like O'Keane is in front of you, explaining everything you didn't realise you wanted to know about memories and the brain. It's a thought-provoking book that would be perfect for anyone interested in the topic. I personally have a rudimentary knowledge of psychology as it was part of my BA so I was already aware of a good amount of the concepts touched upon on the book. For me it was a good refresh of the good old uni days, but no prior knowledge is required to appreciate this book fully.

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Rating: 3.5

Veronica O’Keane has been a practising psychiatrist and researcher for over thirty-five years. She has worked in both England and Ireland and has particular expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of post-partum psychosis and depressive illness. She explains that when she was training, Freudian theory and therapeutic technique dominated the field of psychiatry, but that from the late 1990s on discoveries in neuroscience have shed light on the biological underpinnings of mental illness. In The Rag and Bone Shop, she provides case studies of psychiatric patients she has cared for over the years, reflecting on their illnesses—from anorexia and borderline personality disorder to mania and schizophrenia—in light of discoveries about brain anatomy, circuitry, and the neurophysiology of memory. Psychologist William James’s observation that the study of abnormal mental function can help us to better understand what is normal resonates strongly for O’Keane, forming the bedrock of her book. In addition to her own clinical experience with mentally ill patients, she draws on the findings of psychologists, philosophers, neurosurgeons, and researchers—historical and current—and on the literary works of greats from Samuel Beckett to Virginia Woolf, who, she declares, were highly observant and even prescient about the workings of the brain.

Rich in detail, fascinating, and informative, O’Keane’s book is ambitious, possibly too much so. (I think the forays into physics and folklore, for example, could quite safely be cut.) Early on, she writes that she is interested in the question of memory. However, her work ranges well beyond that subject, her stated focus seemingly ironically forgotten. I found the title, taken from Yeats, rather misleading. O’Keane invokes “the rag and bone shop of the heart” in her discussion of the prefrontal cortex and insula of the brain, regions which interpret and regulate our emotional responses to the external and internal worlds. Since the book is about so much more than these areas of the brain, I would have liked to see a more general and inclusive title.

I read an uncorrected proof provided by the publisher. It was abundantly clear that the text was still in its own “rag-and-bone” form—that is, still in need of a fairly significant clean-up. There were numerous distracting typos, dangling modifiers, pronoun agreement and reference problems, punctuation issues, and many baggy, ungrammatical sentences. Since the material is fairly dense and complex for the lay reader, I do hope the prose undergoes a rigorous editing. I would especially love to see someone correct O’Keane’s tendency to refer to research subjects, not in the expected plural—i.e., as “rats”, “monkeys”, or “babies”—but in the singular, as proper nouns. Her writing about how seven-month-old babies learn that their parents are separate people is particularly grating and awkward: “If Baby is left alone too long or if they are not soothed . . . difficulty in forming trustful relationships may start” and “About eighteen months later Baby begins to become aware of themself.”

I have no doubt that O’Keane’s subject matter would fascinate many. Having said that, I think some expert revision and editing are in order before this book is sent out into the larger world.

Many thanks to Allen Lane/Penguin for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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