This book is an important contribution to the sociological study of pandemics and life-saving bodily donations as well as medical uncertainty and even human uncertainty more generally. It also has the distinctive merit of bringing new questions and new theoretical insights to research on liminality, gifts, and the relation between them. This book convincingly highlights processual, time-related, and intertwined dynamics of illness, liminality, and gifts, which we can only hope will inspire similar explorations of various types of life-saving donations in other national contexts and possibly enrich research on gift-giving in other spheres of social life. (Ilana F. Silber, Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Bar-Ilan University, Israel; Coeditor-in-chief of the journal MAUSS International)
This book offers an incredible opportunity to examine classical sociological theory in the context of the pandemic. It provides invaluable insights for those who recognize the potential of future global-scale infectious diseases. It is also a perfect example of how qualitative research can significantly enhance our understanding of the human experience during the interruption of everyday life caused by COVID-19. The authors successfully demonstrate the immense power of semantic theory construction through cultural interpretation, contextualization, and capturing multiple dimensions of lived experience, ultimately revealing the dynamic and emergent nature of social reality. With its insightful analysis and practical advice, readers will be empowered to take control of their lives and make a positive impact on the world. (Jaeyeol Yee, Professor of Sociology at Seoul National University, S. Korea)
