Dear Oliver: An Unexpected Friendship with Oliver Sacks

by Susan R. Barry

In this intimate and inspiring book, Susan Barry shares the heartfelt letters through which she and Oliver Sacks became friends, laying bare the meeting of two people endlessly intrigued by the world and its mysteries. When Susan Barry first wrote to Oliver Sacks, she never expected a response, let alone the deep friendship that blossomed over ten years of letters. Now, she is sharing those letters for the first time.  It began when Sue―a neuroscientist―wrote to share an extraordinary development in her medical history. Severely cross-eyed since birth, Sue had been told she would never acquire stereovision―the ability to see in 3D―and yet she did, a development at odds with decades of research. Within days, Oliver replied, “Your letter fills me with amazement and admiration.” In a painful twist of fate, as Sue’s vision improves, Oliver’s declines. And as it becomes harder for him to see, his characteristic small type shifts to handwritten letters. Sue later recognizes this to be early signs of the cancer that ultimately ends his life. These letters are a joyful celebration of, as Oliver writes, a “deep and stimulating friendship” that “has been a wonderful and unexpected addition to my life.”  With 27 black-and-white images

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Science, Writing, Friendship, Health

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 30, 2024

Reviews

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epistolary. Vision. Friendship. Curiosity. I'm obsessed with Oliver Sacks.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Barry, a neuroscientist and biology professor at Mount Holyoke, had the eye condition strabismus, or crossed-eyes. She had read all of Oliver Sacks' books featuring case studies of physical and mental problems and thought that her recent accomplishment of being able to see in 3D after being told that what she did was impossible, would interest him. Thus began a correspondence between Sacks and Barry that lasted until the death of the famous author. Their letters were mutually beneficial-Sacks wrote her up as one of his cases, naming her "Stereo Sue," while encouraging Barry to write her own books. They helped each other to solve problems in their work, and showed a great talent for humor and compassion. It was a very touching way to document a friendship between two kindred spirits.
I have been a fan of Oliver Sacks for many years, and was able to meet and talk with him myself, so I was very interested in reading this book. Besides giving a new window into Sacks' life and thoughts, Barry wrote extensively about eye problems in children (crossed eyes and lazy eye) which the "experts" maintained were not correctible in later life. The author's case and many others proved them wrong which was a real revelation. However, a lot of their letters dealt with science at a level that was somewhat hard to follow and might be a problem for the average reader. I felt though, that the contents of their letters was actually not as important as the love and respect that they grew to have for one another, and everyone will be able to understand that.

[Moayad · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to give an opinion on a book of this nature. You don’t read these types of books looking for knowledge, nor do you explore the evolution of a narrative or unfolding plots that lead to a satisfactory conclusion.

I have found myself thinking of what stays in my mind long after I’ve closed the last page of a book, sometimes it’s a feeling, others it’s an opinion, maybe a phrase, rarely a fact or a complete synopsis. For this, I don’t think I’ll remember much at all, because this book is kind of like sitting in a park bench and watching two friends vibrantly converse, with loud and soft voices, laughs and cries, hands flailing about and thoughtful, loving gazes. And with such sights, one contemplates their own life, appreciating the depth Susan and Oliver had in their relationship, admiring the awe and curiosity of life overtake their conversations, and allowing themselves to be open to life.

I am filled with inspiration, to see, to experience, to write, to consume, and deeply contemplate my being, our being, and this life. This, I feel, is a good enough reason to merit going through this book and reading the correspondence between two people who knew how to engage each other in life.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Oliver recounts the letters exchanged between neuroscientist Susan Barry and the renowned Oliver Sacks, uncovering a decade-long friendship filled with intellectual curiosity and heartfelt exchanges. Starting with Sue’s unexpected breakthrough in achieving stereovision, the letters detail profound conversations on science and life. As Sue’s vision strengthens, Oliver’s eyesight fades, creating an emotional narrative that captures the journey of their friendship as it intertwines with both scientific and personal transformations.

Through candid letters, Dear Oliver reveals the transformative power of connection and the legacy of an extraordinary friendship. Barry’s book is a warm tribute to Sacks and their shared wonder for the world, capturing the beauty of friendship sparked by curiosity.

This beautifully intimate exchange captures the warmth, intellect, and kindness that make Oliver Sacks’ work so admired - I've loved all his books so far. Oliver Sacks' genuine care and curiosity shine through, adding a personal depth that brings a new dimension to his legacy.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically a collection of correspondence but the nature of the writers makes it so meta. Oliver Sacks, of course, is the neurologist who wrote all the fantastic books about the interesting cases he encountered. Susan Barry is a scientist who suffered from an unusual eye condition that was not treated early or understood. Barry wrote to tell Sacks about how she finally got treatment to improve her condition, and she and Sacks developed a several years long friendship that lasted until his death.
The most interesting thing to me is that this is two people who write about the world writing about themselves and sharing their own stories. Sacks was an interesting person because he clearly needed a lot of empathy to understand people the way he did, but he managed to remain relatively solitary, never marrying and living alone for most of his life.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and deeply moving book, I read it in a single sitting. The book feels raw, like I was sitting next to the author writing each letter over the years. It reads like a novel except it's all true, with the real-life letters, handwriting and all, pictured and integrated into the text. The book also shows the casual brilliance of Oliver Sacks, with his made-up words (that are complicated enough the reader needs footnotes to understand) and his fluent discussion of biology, medical science, and chemistry all wrapped up in the fun, joy, and sadness of living life. A wonderful journey, highly recommended.

[Svetlana Didorenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of inspiring, touching details of a science-inspired friendship through letters.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oliver Sacks comes to life in this lovely book filled with his correspondence with the author, scientist Susan Barry. I will admit, at times, the level of their discourse was WAY above my pea brain, but the letters and love and friendship they shared cuts through all of that. Makes me want to sit down and write a friend a letter.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting insight into correspondence between 2 neuroscientists discussing the authors visual diagnosis. Personal details regarding Oliver Sacks interest in all things human and brain related. Great non-fiction pick.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's rather sweet that the author and Dr. Sacks had a long friendship sustained by their letters.

Especially appealing to me since their correspondence centered around the author's acquisition of stereo vision in her 40s.

But I found it rather tedious and my interest petered out.

[gltgw · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I came out of it thinking that Oliver seemed like a learned, interesting man.
There were lots of interesting reflections on neuroplasticity, but also is just a series of letters between two people who became friends, and a sweet window into that relationship.

[Jia · Rating 4 out of 5]

已经是关于Oliver Sacks我读的第二本书了，第一本是Billy Hayes的insomniac city描写纽约以及OS晚年生活，还有这一本是Sue与O长达十年的写信友谊。他们真的都是对于世界无限好奇的人，会思考会反省，从世间万物获取生命的意义而并非假大空的形式理想主义。虽然知道结局但也忍不住为自己也为世界惋惜失去了Oliver这样的人

[Barb Wiseberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

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