Alive by Gabriel Weston is a book about the five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. The author is a doctor, and she uses real-life stories and personal thoughts to explain how each sense works and how it affects the way we experience life.

The book is interesting and thoughtful, and it makes you really think about how amazing and important your senses are. Some parts talk about medical things and can be a bit graphic or emotional, but it’s written in a clear and poetic way.

As an avid fan of anything médical I devoured this book in short order. I remember Gabriel Weston from her time on Trust Me I’m a Doctor. She was fascinating in that, with her gentle demeanour and knowledge. This book is very absorbing, with the finely described anatomy details, but also the author’s personal and family health struggles.
Very good and educational read, in an accessible style

This book is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the human body, not as a collection of biological systems, but as a landscape shaped by experience, emotion, and the very act of living. Weston, a surgeon, brings a unique and insightful perspective, blending medical knowledge with lyrical prose and a deep appreciation for the intricate and often surprising ways our bodies reflect our lives.
Total rating 3.5 stars

What a fascinating book this was to read. I loved how it linked in the history, her training and the medical theory behind each organ but in a way that those of us not medically trained can understand.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I accepted this arc. It was very interesting and in more depth than I anticipated. I can imagine it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I found it fascinating.

Thank you very much for the earc, unfortunately this one just wasn't for me this time though. I think I was just a little confused with the medical part of it all.

Never did I expect to enjoy Alive as much as I did. Initially, I picked it up to better understand my son’s fascination with biology, but I quickly found myself completely absorbed in Gabriel Weston’s compelling storytelling and deep insight into the human body.

Weston, a skilled surgeon with a background in English Literature, masterfully blends science with a captivating narrative. She takes the reader on an unforgettable journey, from the stark reality of an autopsy in the opening chapter to thought-provoking discussions on essential organs; from the brain’s complexities to the bowel and even faecal implants. Her exploration of anatomy challenges conventional perspectives, shining a light on underappreciated aspects of human physiology, such as the clitoris and its overlooked significance in medical studies.

What sets this book apart is Weston’s ability to make complex topics accessible, fascinating, and deeply human. Her writing is elegant, informative, and utterly compelling. This is not just a book about science, it’s a book about what makes us alive in every sense.

I wholeheartedly recommend Alive to anyone curious about the secrets within our own bodies. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a casual reader, or simply someone looking for an eye-opening read, this book will surprise you and fascinate you in equal measure.

"Alive" is such a needed piece of writing that combines literary skill with the medical knowledge. It's not comfortable or cozy in any way, the exploration of the body is delivered in detailed, meaty descriptions that may make some stomachs churn.

I found author's journey towards medicine very fascinating and truly appreciated her utilising her knack for writing to talk about anatomy. Definitely an original book for a reader who wants to marvel at the human body inside and out.

This is a difficult book to slot into a genre. Although it is, in some ways a medical text of how our bodies are put together, it is also a look at medicine from a doctor and patient point of view.

Each chapter looks at different parts of the anatomy. Although I didn't really care to know the names of every bit, I was interested that they are all named after men! The way the author fuses the information with examples and descriptions of her personal life is unusual. It's a style that some readers might find off putting but for me, it was what kept me turning the pages.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read and review this book. It was very different from my usual reads but I really enjoyed it.

After reading Alive, I spent a few weeks thinking about how to review it. Not that it's a bad book or difficult to read; some parts are incredibly moving, informative and life-affirming. But therein lies the problem...

Alive is quite patchy - some sections work better than others - and the pace is uneven as it moves from organ to organ and from Weston's professional life to personal life. It's as if it loses its way at times and then comes back clumsily in a slightly repetitive fashion.

I can't give five stars, but I would recommend giving it a try, especially if you're not a medic. It's eye-opening and gives a some small insight into the impact surgery can have on those who perform it as well as their patients.

What a fantastic book. A unique perspective and totally engaging.
Don't know how to describe the read but it kept me turning the pages as quickly as any work of fiction.

I’m not sure who the audience should be for this book. Too medical for the layperson, too nostalgic for the medical expert. I found myself flipping backwards and forwards to find a chapter that held my interest. Very informative and an incredibly knowledgeable author. Just not a book for me.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This would be a great book for someone in the medical field or able to tolerate descriptive medical writing. I found this a bit heavy on the medical side so I wasn’t able to finish it.

Alive by Gabriel Weston offers an interesting perspective of medical issues from someone who has experience from both sides as a professional and a patient.

This book grabbed me from the first sentence and did not let go. I found it very interesting and very well written. Loved it.

What a fascinating read!

This is a hugely engaging look at your anatomy. It is easy to read and understand and keeps you reading to the end.

This would definitely suit anyone who has a curiosity about the human body.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

An immersive journey through the human body, with Gabriel Weston writing with huge enthusiasm, exhaustive knowledge of the subject and an immensely readable style. It was difficult for this reviewer to work out exactly what audience the book is aimed at and it therefore didn’t always sit comfortably with this general reader. The medical terminology, whilst necessary, did become difficult to swallow at times (see the chapter on the oesophagus!) and therein lies the source of reservations about the book. These reservations are understandable as any medical professional would be expecting such detail and terminology, but the general reader will always struggle a little. Nonetheless, as an inhabitant of a human body, the book was fascinating, informative and written with real passion for the subject.

This is a difficult one to review. I don’t really know who the audience is who this is aimed at. For me it tried to suit too many audiences and succeeded in satisfying none. It comprises of very detailed, medical history and descriptions of various parts of the body. It also intermingles the author’s own medical issues and that of her son. The mix of personal and complex medical sections just doesn’t seem to work. As a layman who is interested in health I found some of the chapters too complex and frankly boring. The personal sections would not suit those looking for a medical text. For me this book should decide if it is one or the other. Well written, with some fascinating information but misses its mark.

I don’t read as much non-fiction as I could. I was sent this via NetGalley and have found it fascinating. It’s an exploration of human anatomy by a surgeon who arrived at medicine via literary studies. During her own journey she faces challenge through her own health struggles and through a terrible and terrifying event involving one of her children. This leads the final third of the book to be less surgical and more reflective.
I found the anatomy writing really engrossing. Gabriel Weston has a lovely, lyrical style, so despite the often explicitly medical description, it’s not too horrifying. I learnt so much about different body parts, and feel like I’ve been educated in a very enjoyable way.

DNF. This sounds like a really interesting book but, unfortunately, the style didn't work for me; especially with all the back and forth it made me lose track and, therefore, interest.