logo

67 pages 2 hours read

Oliver Sacks

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

Oliver SacksNonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1985

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Oliver Sacks

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1985
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Various • 1980s

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks explores 24 neurological case histories, each portraying patients with unique conditions affecting their perception and cognition. Structured in four parts—"Losses," "Excesses," "Transports," and "The World of the Simple"—the book combines complex neurology with human stories, emphasizing the holistic interconnectedness of body, mind, and soul. The book includes outdated and potentially offensive language when describing individuals with disabilities.

Informative

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Oliver Sacks' The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat is widely praised for its compassionate and insightful portrayal of neurological disorders. Readers are captivated by Sacks' storytelling and empathetic approach. However, some critics feel the medical jargon is occasionally overwhelming. Overall, the book is a compelling blend of science and human experience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat?

A reader who enjoys The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks is likely fascinated by neurological mysteries and human behavior. They may appreciate works like Awakenings by Sacks or Phantoms in the Brain by V.S. Ramachandran for their in-depth exploration of unusual medical cases and the human mind.

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Various • 1980s

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.