On the Move by Oliver Sacks Summary

On the Move is Oliver Sacks' memoir tracing his journey from a rebellious, motorcycle-riding young man grappling with sexuality and drug addiction to becoming a celebrated neurologist and author. It explores his professional breakthroughs, personal struggles, and formative experiences—including weightlifting, psychedelic experimentation, and cross-country travels—that shaped his unique approach to medicine and storytelling.

This book appeals to fans of Sacks’ clinical works (Awakenings, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat), memoir enthusiasts, and readers interested in neurodiversity. It offers insights into LGBTQ+ identity in mid-20th-century academia, the intersection of science and creativity, and the resilience required to rebuild a life after setbacks.

Yes—critics praise its raw honesty, vivid anecdotes (like Sacks’ amphetamine-fueled manuscript losses), and reflections on how his wild youth informed his empathy for patients. The LA Times calls it “a fascinating case study of an iconoclastic adulthood,” though some note emotional detachment in describing relationships.

• Self-reinvention: From closeted Oxford student to San Francisco biker.
• Risk-taking: Motorcycle crashes, drug experimentation, and professional gambles.
• Intersection of science/art: How Sacks’ literary flair transformed dry case studies into bestsellers.

Unlike his patient-focused books, this memoir delves into Sacks’ private life—his sexual identity, family tensions, and insecurities. However, it mirrors his clinical writing’s blend of curiosity, vulnerability, and vivid storytelling.

Some reviewers note Sacks’ emotionally distant tone when discussing romantic relationships, possibly rooted in childhood trauma. Others highlight abrupt transitions between personal and professional narratives.

• On identity: “I had to make myself… through acts of becoming.”
• On writing: “My journal was my only confidant.”

These lines encapsulate Sacks’ lifelong quest for self-discovery through action and reflection.

Sacks recounts coming out to his father in 1951, fearing his mother’s reaction. The memoir contextualizes his closeted early career and later openness—a trajectory mirroring societal shifts in LGBTQ+ acceptance.

He details pivotal moments: losing his first job over Migraine (1970), treating encephalitis survivors at Beth Abraham Hospital, and balancing clinical work with writing—a tension he navigated via “wildly associative” thinking.

Its themes—rebounding from failure, integrating multiple identities, and questioning societal norms—resonate in eras of rapid technological and cultural change. Sacks’ emphasis on curiosity over dogma remains timely.

The memoir reveals strained dynamics, particularly with his brother Michael (who developed schizophrenia) and his surgeon mother. His father’s pragmatism (“You don’t seem to have many girlfriends”) contrasts with Sacks’ inner turmoil.

• A 300-pound bench press feat.
• A near-fatal motorcycle crash in Canada.
• A psychedelic trip where he “became” a dog’s nose.

These episodes highlight Sacks’ view of life as “neurological adventure”.