I have been an avid reader of medical narratives since picking up the book “The Incurable Wound” by Berton Roueche. In my quest to find other books detailing medical case histories, I came across the works of Oliver Sacks.

I think I was introduced to the works of Dr. Sacks with the book “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales,” and the last book that I read of his was “The Mind’s Eye,” where he discusses cases where the ability to see has affected their lives, including Oliver Sacks himself, who suffered from ocular melanoma, which ultimately took his life.

“Letters” is a book that collects letters that Dr. Sacks had written throughout his lifetime to various people, including his parents and siblings. He had a wonderful way of describing people, events, and what we would consider the most mundane things. It was easy to plunge deep into his world.

While Dr. Sacks had a gift for writing, it can be a bit pedantic despite the beautiful prose. I occasionally found it tough going and will admit skimming parts of it, but I also paid great attention to those letters that centered on his work, especially that detailing the backgrounds of his clinical writings.

I would recommend this book to someone who is familiar with Dr. Sacks’ work and is interested in the back stories of his clinical writings. I do not think this book is really for a casual reader, who might find it a difficult read, but for those of us who are fans of Dr. Oliver Sacks, this book is a delight.

4/5 stars

[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion, which I have given here.]

I am a longtime fan of Oliver Sacks, and since his passing, any feelings that he is still here are so lovely. I loved the format of this book and will be thinking of its content/message for a long time. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to share my thoughts!

We have this impression of the great thinkers of history as stoic and orderly. Early to bed and early to rise very serious sort of folk. These letters remind us of their humanity. When I first saw the quote in one of Charles Darwin‘s notebooks, “I am very poorly today,” I remembered my own days of despair in a chemistry lab.
OS‘s letters in this collection illustrate this fact poignantly. He is distracted constantly, unable to pay his bills, can’t clean his house or keep his bike in good repair yet he is also a brilliant thinker able to solve many of the neurological mysteries of his day. He coped by self-medicating and having hypersexualised drug-fueled weekends. Maybe not the best for his longevity? Maybe it was the only relief he could conceive of at the time.

The editors did an excellent job editing the text and cleaning up punctuation to make it pleasantly readable and engaging while I presume still remaining true to OS original feelings and intent.

Letters by Oliver Sacks is a compelling collection of personal correspondence that reveals the profound insights and heartfelt reflections of the renowned neurologist and writer. Through his letters, Sacks shares his intimate thoughts on a range of subjects, from his experiences with patients to his own existential musings. The book not only showcases Sacks’ deep empathy and intellectual curiosity but also offers a window into his personal life and relationships. His eloquent prose and thoughtful observations make Letters a moving testament to the power of communication and the shared human experience. It’s a must-read for fans of Sacks and those interested in the intersection of science and humanity.

An interetsing read. Certainly not a book that will keep you awake all night while you try to finish. If you are familiar with Dr. Sacks work, this is a wonderful book for you. Though there isn't anything earth shattering or exciting about it, if you enjoy a sneak peak into the every day life of VIP's (Very Interesting People) - this is a wonderful book.
I'm giving 3 stars only because it's slow, but I'd give it 4 for quiet interestingness.

I came away from this book feeling like I've read a biography of OS rendered in a series of chronological but unfocused anecdotes. This was not my expectation going in. Other anthologies of personal letters I've read have been edited and distilled to reveal poignant, important, and enlightening observations by the author, but this collection seems to be more scattershot and focused on chronology rather than on importance/interest. I've been very interested in OS's work in neuroscience, his interesting revelations about the human psyche based on cases he's worked on, and his philosophical musings on life. All of these are covered very well and in better writing style in his other books. His letters here came across as largely prosaic and belabored. Many of them gave me little beyond anecdotal accounts of his daily life and family relations (which I did not find especially interesting, and that after a while felt more like distracting "filler" material), lacking the scientific underpinnings and clear explanations found in his books. I regret to say it, but despite my admiration for the man, this is not a book I would likely purchase or recommend.

Oliver Sacks was a brilliant scientist and an equally brilliant writer. This compilation of his letters is an important contribution to his body of work, providing additional insight into his life and accomplishments. However, you will only get the full meaning of this volume if you have already read at least one of his other books. (I recommend "An Anthropologist on Mars" although there are many others.) Highly recommended under those terms.

I love books of letters or correspondence and this one did not disappoint. Oh, how I would have loved to sit and talk with him a while! What a storied life he led and we are fortunate to have a glimpse into his worlds. Sacks fans, don't miss this one!