Spanish language
Published July 29, 2016 by Seix Barral.
When Breath Becomes Air is a non-fiction autobiographical book written by American neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. It is a memoir about his life and illness, battling stage IV metastatic lung cancer. It was posthumously published by Random House on January 12, 2016.
My first memoir and hopefully won’t be the last. Paul’s journey resonated strongly with me. His clear voice was accompanied by his sincere pursuit of meaning in this short wordly life. The book was poignant but lovely at the same time. Touched my heart throughout the entire read. Particularly the epilogue written by Paul’s wife Lucy. I would recommend this book for anyone who is searching meaning in their life.
I admit to being conflicted about this book. I really wanted to love this book, after all, it had gotten stellar media reviews, yet, when I started reading the book, my feelings bubbled to the surface.
I mean, what’s not to “love” a book about a dying neurosurgeon who took the time to chronicle is journey from being doctor to patient.
Yet, as I trudged towards the end of the book, I found myself not enjoying the book and wondered why.
After careful consideration, I realized it was because this wasn’t the kind of book I’d read previously where a doctor (or patient) chronicles their journeys and reader me was taken along for the ride. Instead, When Breath Becomes Air was more of a metaphysical, philosophical journey and one I really wasn’t interested in taking.
Paul Kalanithi’s background as a writer and philosopher permeated the prose as he wrote about …
I admit to being conflicted about this book. I really wanted to love this book, after all, it had gotten stellar media reviews, yet, when I started reading the book, my feelings bubbled to the surface.
I mean, what’s not to “love” a book about a dying neurosurgeon who took the time to chronicle is journey from being doctor to patient.
Yet, as I trudged towards the end of the book, I found myself not enjoying the book and wondered why.
After careful consideration, I realized it was because this wasn’t the kind of book I’d read previously where a doctor (or patient) chronicles their journeys and reader me was taken along for the ride. Instead, When Breath Becomes Air was more of a metaphysical, philosophical journey and one I really wasn’t interested in taking.
Paul Kalanithi’s background as a writer and philosopher permeated the prose as he wrote about his journey with cancer. Having really not enjoyed philosophy and literature courses in college, I really couldn’t relate. In fact, I thought the best part of the book was his wife Lucy’s continuation of the narrative after Paul died.
Having said all this, I am glad to have read this book, but it’s not a book I’m likely to read again.
I recommend this book for those who are interested in the journey of a doctor who becomes patient interlaced with the philosophy of life and death.
Rating: 4.0 stars.
This is how you know a book or a work of literature is powerful:
- Pick a book about a man who is diagnosed with cancer, a book that, you know, is by an author who dies.
- Read the book only to become attached to the writer. Not only because he tells things, but the way he does tell them. Because he ponders about his work, about life and death, things that, maybe, you gave some thought before, or because the things he says are, well, fair. The fairness in the way a med doctor works, the kind of life they live; the kind of things they are responsible for: their patients, their wellness and the heavy burden of not affecting the lives of those around them.
- Reach the last page and take a big breath. Consider the title of the book. Think about it.
- Go to …
This is how you know a book or a work of literature is powerful:
- Pick a book about a man who is diagnosed with cancer, a book that, you know, is by an author who dies.
- Read the book only to become attached to the writer. Not only because he tells things, but the way he does tell them. Because he ponders about his work, about life and death, things that, maybe, you gave some thought before, or because the things he says are, well, fair. The fairness in the way a med doctor works, the kind of life they live; the kind of things they are responsible for: their patients, their wellness and the heavy burden of not affecting the lives of those around them.
- Reach the last page and take a big breath. Consider the title of the book. Think about it.
- Go to the epilogue. Feel the profound sadness of a person who is dying (who knows is gonna die, who you know has died), the recount of his last few days.
- Cry, maybe. It is optional.
It is a powerful essay about who we are, and why we do things. About our plans, our capabilities. About the lack of touch of those who get used to the dying, to the sick. And the thing that makes us strive for: it is, also, about love. Not romantic love, but the links between people.
It is short. You should read it anyway.
