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.

Alive is one of those books that takes you beyond science and into experience. I loved the flow of the book as we focus on the different organs, it was like travelling through the body on an exploration. There are some more scientific parts, with my basic knowledge
I felt I understood everything and at the same time expanded my mind. If you are on the more squeamish side then be prepared for detailed passages. Be this is an intimate examination after all and the brutal reality of the sciences. I loved the incorporation of art and also of the authors real life experiences. We all have a body yet we don’t know even half of what it does and how that’s achieved. If you want a personalised story and a fascinating read then this book is for you. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

If you don’t like detailed description of body parts, this title may not be for you. In a former life, I was involved with observing post mortem examinations, which I initially dreaded. However, the pathologist was an articulate and gentle man who talked the whole way through, explaining what he was doing, why, and what he found. It was fascinating and he always treated the individuals with respect and as people rather than a corpse.

Gabriel Weston’s book reminded me very much of some of those examinations. She personalises the story and packs in huge amounts of medical and physiological information, but at a very human level. Absolutely fascinating. Easy to read, albeit in small chunks and although a lay person, I’d think this would be of interest to those considering medicine.

An interesting book about the human body. It looks at the wonders of each organ but is interspersed with personal experiences that really bring it to life. Recommended.

'Alive - an Alternative Anatomy' by the surgeon Gabriel Weston is looking at the body through a more human prism.

It starts with the observation of an autopsy which is not for the fainthearted. The following chapters center around different organs like the gut, the brain and the lungs. The book is very informative and even though I never had anatomy lessons in college I've learned a lot which will help me in my medical profession. I like the way Gabriel Weston humanises the body and adds her personal experience and observations to the scientific facts.

The human body is amazing and this book manages to convey exactly that. It is a great read for anybody interested in science and medicine.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Vintage for the ARC.

I was approached and asked if I wanted to read this pre publication as it seemed up.my street. They were correct, it was right up my street.
A fascinating exploration of the human bodily functions with great explanations. Flipping between anatomy and personal experiences this book gripped me.
The book throws you straight into the deepend with a description of an autopsy but I love this. I am so fascinated with the human body. I was much like Gabriel when I was a student. I was always asking if I can observe theater and surgery and I have been lucky enough to observe and help in many situations.

I adore medical books/memoirs and this one was a lovely combination of them both. Alongside personal anecdotes about her own medical training as well as her experience as both a patient and the parent of a patient, this is a brilliant and highly accessible account of the wonder of the human body and how it works. I loved it.

Alive by Gabriel Weston is a profound and intimate exploration of the human body, looking beyond the scientific details of anatomy to delve into the lived experience of inhabiting a body. Weston, a surgeon herself, brings a unique perspective, having navigated both the knowledge gained from her medical training and the personal journey of becoming a patient. The book reflects on the tension between the clinical understanding of the body and the deeper, more complex reality of how we experience life through our physical selves.

In Alive, Weston takes us through a deeply personal and meditative examination of various organs, considering them not just as structures to be studied or operated upon, but as integral parts of the stories that make up our lives. She brings the clinical into the realm of the human, blending her professional expertise with the vulnerability and fragility that come with being a living, breathing person. The narrative goes beyond the surface to explore how our bodies shape our experiences, both physically and emotionally, and the tension between the body’s fragility and its capacity for resilience.

The book touches on themes of mortality, connection, and the transient nature of existence, offering readers a holistic view of life that is as much about the inner workings of the body as it is about the moments, relationships, and stories that define us. Alive presents an anatomy like no other, one that acknowledges the fears, beauty, and miracles of living. It’s a book that draws attention to the complexity of being human—both as an individual with a body and as part of a shared human experience.

If the exploration of the human body and its deeper significance resonates with you, this is a truly captivating and thought-provoking read that will leave you reflecting on the miraculous, fragile nature of life.

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This was a really great read and such an interesting and informative take on the human body and anatomy.
Given the subject matter and that the author is a surgeon this is a very descriptive book with plenty of graphic insights into surgery & technical/medical language used.
What makes this a very different read is that the author doesn't just look at the scientific side of anatomy but also the personal, emotional and spiritual side and the importance of empathy.
Not for the queasy or faint-hearted but a great informative read for the strong stomached.

I really enjoyed this book and the story it told and I wish the author all the best with this book

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read this book

Alice by Gabriel Weston

A great & very informative book .
The author takes us on a journey of our body and tells us the story of gets as well . Some may struggle with certain chapter due to the content.

I have always thought of the human body as a wonderous machine; so complex that it is little wonder that it sometimes goes awry.
Gabriel Weston reaches out to non-medical people with this book which some, admittedly, may find rather gruesome when reading the first few chapters as graphic descriptions of surgeries and autopsies are described in vivid detail.
Then as she goes through her own experiences and I can see the empathy there. The machine malfunctions.
The book is very technical and it depends whether that fascinates you or you want a straightforward book on someone’s path through their training and career. If the latter then I do not believe this is for you.
For me, someone who enjoys medical programmes showing how surgeons try to fix what was once thought to be unfixable, it was fascinating.
Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for the ARC.

I think the title is misleading. I really don't get how this anatomy book, which is not an anatomy book, is an alternative to an anatomy book understood stereotypically. Is it because it's more personal? The personal bit I find creepy and bizarre, frankly.
The author tries to make anatomy more familiar and less scary. This is supposed to be achieved by inserting glimpses from personal daily life, history, biology, and culture. Some parts are interesting, and I made some notes, but overall, it doesn't work. In my opinion, there's too much of an author.
The writing style is a bit heavy and chaotic. We jump constantly from one thing to another, and often, it's hard to spot the connection. In the beginning, the book is packed with medical jargon, which is way too much for an average reader to digest. Later on, there's less and less science, more personal life and thoughts.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

An extraordinary well written novel from Gabriel. I found it very interesting and very informative as he gives excellent descriptions and facts about the human body. Some parts were so descriptive and sensitive I felt nauseous and had to skip sections- more suited to a medical person.