‘𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚞𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗’.

   

A brilliant introduction to how our senses work and how they can go haywire, and what that tells us about how the human body functions. It’s a bit pop-science, but in the positive way - clear and accessible - not hyperbolic sensationalism to grab the masses attention (although obviously he uses interesting and rarer conditions). It’s use of patient case studies balances out the more medical details. And to be honest makes it much more absorbing and easy to read, as trying to empathise with some of the horrible and bizarre conditions necessitates full engagement. 

   

It’s almost certain you’ll find something fascinating and new here, as despite the mechanisms of sight and perception being frequently touched on in books on many other topics (about everything from conspiracy theorists to personality), very little is out there on smell, tastes and hearing etc. 

   

Obviously (based on the title) the book touches on synesthesia, but it includes so much more. Particularly fascinating examples I want to read more on include: the fact you can be blind but still see movement, you can not have a ‘minds eye’, your taste can make EVERYTHING seem putrid, pheromones can distinguish for sexual orientation, and a certain poison/genetic flaw can literally make it feel like your tears are on fire 😭