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A neurologist’s account of patients who were revived by a new drug
1973Steady paceThoughtful
What it is about
In 1969, Oliver Sacks treated a group of patients who had been frozen for decades by an epidemic of sleeping sickness. A drug called L-DOPA woke them for a time. He tells their stories and the lessons of the treatment.
Who will enjoy it
Readers who like Oliver Sacks.
What you will get
It was adapted into the 1990 film Awakenings.
Awakenings Facts: Pages, Genre and Setting
Genre
Nonfiction · Neurology · Medicine · Case studies
Length
408 pages · ≈ 12 h
More about this book
Characters
Oliver Sacks and his patients.
Setting
A New York hospital in 1969.
What makes it different
A humane account of a unique medical event.
Feel
Humane, moving and curious.
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