Awakenings

by Oliver Sacks
Awakenings cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 3335
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • Publisher: Doubleday Books
  • Published: 1974-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Awakenings is a remarkable non-fiction book by neurologist Oliver Sacks, recounting his experiences with a group of patients who had been catatonic for decades due to the effects of encephalitis lethargica, a rare brain inflammation. In 1969, Sacks administered the newly discovered drug L-DOPA to these patients, leading to extraordinary and often dramatic awakenings, as they regained consciousness and mobility after years of immobility. The book delves into the profound emotional and psychological challenges these patients faced as they re-entered the world, grappling with the loss of decades of their lives and the disorienting rapidity of modern society. Sacks' compassionate and insightful narrative not only explores the medical and scientific aspects of the disease and its treatment but also the deeply human stories of his patients, raising questions about identity, memory, and the nature of consciousness.

Reviews
PMC - NCBI · PA LeWitt · 2023-01-01
compassionate 4.20

The reviewer acknowledges Sacks' compassion for his patients but notes that not everyone shared the same view of his approach. The book is seen as a thorough and empathetic account of neurological care.

PA LeWitt's review in PMC highlights the compassion that Oliver Sacks shows towards his patients in 'Awakenings'. The reviewer notes that Sacks' thorough conveyance of his patients' struggles and triumphs makes the book a standout in the field of neurological literature. However, they also mention that not everyone viewed Sacks' approach in the same light, indicating a diversity of opinions on his methods. Overall, the review emphasizes the book's empathetic and detailed portrayal of the patients' experiences, making it a valuable contribution to the understanding of neurological conditions.

Quick quotes

    Awakenings was notable for how thoroughly it conveyed its author's compassion for the thwarted lives of people under his care.

    However, not everyone viewed his approach in the same light.

    The book's empathetic and detailed portrayal of the patients' experiences makes it a valuable contribution to the understanding of neurological conditions.

Bob on Books · 2017-02-16
insightful 4.00

The reviewer emphasizes the importance of human connection in the healing process, noting that Sacks' observations are both insightful and touching. The book is seen as a powerful blend of science and humanity.

In the review from Bob on Books, the focus is on the profound impact of human connection in the stories told by Oliver Sacks. The reviewer is struck by how Sacks' observations highlight the significant improvements in patients when they feel a genuine connection with their doctor. This blend of scientific detail and emotional insight makes 'Awakenings' a unique and powerful read. The reviewer also appreciates how Sacks balances the technical aspects of neurology with the deeply personal stories of his patients, creating a narrative that is both informative and deeply moving.

Quick quotes

    Sacks also observes how significant the human connection is with his patients, and how they do significantly better when there is at least one.

    The book is a powerful blend of science and humanity, making it a compelling read.

    Sacks' observations are both insightful and touching, highlighting the importance of empathy in medicine.

The Guardian · 2016-04-18
profound 4.50

The book is seen as a profound exploration of the human condition, blending neurological insight with deeply personal stories. It is praised for its sympathetic and empathetic approach to the patients' experiences.

The Guardian's review highlights how Oliver Sacks' 'Awakenings' transcends a mere medical account and becomes a deeply personal journey. The stories of the patients are told with such empathy that they resonate on a universal level, touching on themes of hope, resilience, and the human spirit. The reviewer appreciates how Sacks intertwines scientific detail with heartfelt narratives, making the book a compelling read that stays with you long after you've finished. They also note that the book's exploration of the human condition makes it a standout piece of non-fiction.

Quick quotes

    Sacks's stories become a kind of memoir, a neurological romance and a profoundly sympathetic essay on the human condition.

    Readers who watch the film will find the book even more poignant and revealing.

    It is a testament to Sacks's skill as a writer and a doctor that he can make the complex and the technical so accessible and so moving.

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