Oliver Sacks's not quite nonfiction

The book tells the extraordinary story of a group of patients who survived the great sleeping-sickness epidemic of the 1920s and were 'awakened' 40 years later by the administration of the drug L-DOPA. Dr. Sacks documents the miraculous and sometimes disastrous effects of this treatment, exploring themes of health, disease, suffering, care, and the human condition. The book also delves into the psychological and philosophical implications of these patients' experiences, highlighting the complexities of identity, personality, and the impact of their prolonged immobility on their lives.

This book by Julia Kristeva explores the notion of the 'stranger' or 'foreigner' in various cultural, historical, and philosophical contexts. It delves into the experiences of foreigners and the internal sense of strangeness, contrasting cosmopolitanism with xenophobia. Kristeva analyzes the legal and social status of foreigners throughout history, drawing examples from Greek tragedy, the Bible, and literature from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. She also reflects on her own experience as a foreigner in France and discusses how recognizing the foreigner within ourselves can lead to a deeper understanding of our own identities and the loss of boundaries between self and other.

This book is a compilation of twenty-four essays divided into four sections: 'Losses', 'Excesses', 'Transports', and 'The World of the Simple'. It delves into various neurological conditions, including visual agnosia, as seen in the titular case of a man who mistakes his wife's head for a hat. The book provides a profound understanding of the human mind and its complexities, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of individuals with neurological disorders. Sacks narrates complex medical phenomena in an accessible manner, exploring aspects of brain function, memory, perception, and the intricate relationship between the physical and mental selves.