I adored this book. What a wonderful overview of the human body and the importance of every part of our anatomy.

Told from the perspective of a surgeon, who tells us about all the major organs and features of the body through observations of surgeries or autopsies, we go so much further than the physical structures that make up who we are physically. We also get anecdotes, insights, and empathetic responses to what happens when something goes wrong in our bodies, and how the impacts of that are far more than simply physical.

The writing was beautiful and the message incredibly important.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

I was invited to read this book by the Publisher. It sounded interesting and I decided to read it.
This was a fascinating book, and very interesting. There was a lot of the text that I couldn't understand as there was too much medical jargon, which is a pity. I did enjoy the parts that I did understand though.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my arc.

This is a beautiful book. Dr Weston is a literature graduate who became a doctor and the two skills are melded perfectly in this dive into human anatomy. It’s the sort of book you can read easily and yet every page you learn something.

Dr Weston goes out and about and talks to different specialists and works the learning back to anatomy and how doctors are trained. Some of the sections are interesting - like genitals and breasts - because you think you know stuff but don’t really. Some are fascinating because of their intrinsic worth - the section on the brain is also scary because it involves a member of the author’s family.

The section on the kidney is heartbreaking but it was honest about the time taken out of a life when someone is chronically ill. Plus the poor patient who can only have a litre of fluid a day :-0

This would be an interesting gift for any potential healthcare professional or student as it’s never patronising and gives a lot of information you might not get in an academic anatomy book. I’ve never read one but I’m wondering if they’d go into this level of detail about breast milk or the human cost of different types of surgery.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

I was very excited to read this book after reading the description, but I did find it a bit too medical. I expected more of a balance of story with it like the Adam Kay book and many others that are similar. It was very well written just not what I expected.

I tried my bst to enjoy this book but it just felt a little overly long for me and the medical jargon, which i understood, just felt a little too much. The premise is fantastic though, having a lot of complicated medical issues myself i was fascinated to read about someone else and more so because she's a doctor as well and fully understands the biology far more than I. alas, it didn't work out for me, ultimately, its just a bit too science-y for me i think!

After reading the book I'm not sure who the intended audience would be. It is very medical jargon heavy and super scientific, which even as a Nurse I got lost in and a little bored with at times. But then there's personal memoir type stories mixed in that wouldn't fit with a book aimed at medical professionals. It was like the book didn't really know what it wanted to be and needed editing. It was informative but at times it felt a bit slow paced.

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.