Plot Summary

Hallucinations

Oliver Sacks
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Hallucinations

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012

Book Brief

Oliver Sacks

Hallucinations

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Hallucinations (2012), Oliver Sacks explores the various causes of hallucinations, including sensory deprivation, injury, and the use of psychedelic drugs, while examining the experiences of different sensory hallucinations such as visual, auditory, olfactory, and bodily sensations. He aims to demystify hallucinations and remove the stigma attached to them, emphasizing that anyone can experience them and that they are not solely linked to mental illness or drug use. The book also discusses phenomena like Charles Bonnet Syndrome, phantom limb syndrome, and the impact of conditions like sleep disorders, stress, and PTSD. Topics addressed include violence and trauma-related experiences such as PTSD.

Informative

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.2

25,547 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Oliver Sacks' Hallucinations is lauded for its insightful and compassionate exploration of the human mind. Critics praise Sacks’ engaging storytelling and ability to make complex topics accessible. Some, however, find the book occasionally repetitive. Overall, it is a compelling read for both professionals and general audiences interested in neurology and psychology.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Hallucinations?

A reader intrigued by the workings of the human mind and neuroscience, with an interest in firsthand patient narratives and vivid case studies, will enjoy Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks. Comparable to The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Phantoms in the Brain, it appeals to those fascinated by psychological phenomena.

4.2

25,547 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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