‘A work of splendid richness and depth, driven by a curiosity so intense that it hazards at times the extreme boundaries of the sayable.’—Helen Garner

‘Comfortably numb. A close-up look at anaesthesia is equal parts social history, popular science and report on experience.’—NZ Listener

'Not just an account of medical research but a poetic exploration of the mysteries of the human mind.'—The Australian

‘Cole-Adams’s prose is sinuous, at times intoxicating, and witty.’—Sydney Morning Herald

‘A troubling, anxious subject that most of us would rather avoid or deflect with dark humour. Cole-Adams has illuminated it in a memorable way. The book is a gift not of oblivion but of awareness.'—Inside Story

‘For the interested reader, it’s an outline of the science, with an emphasis on the unknown. For the practitioner, it’s a patient experience, eloquently expressed. There’s much more the anaesthesia than meets the eye, and this book provides a glimpse into the depths.'—The Conversation

'Mesmerising…This rich and thorough study looks more deeply into questions about the nature of consciousness than many of us who undergo an anaesthetic are likely, or willing, to ponder.’—Australian Book Review 

‘A fascinating mix of historical background, moving—sometimes shocking—surgical stories, interviews with experts and case studies. Surprisingly, it seems relatively little is really known about exactly how effective and affective anaesthetic is. Despite that, I found this book an oddly reassuring study.’—North and South