When Breath Becomes Air

by

Paperback, 256 pages

English language

Published Nov. 11, 2017 by Vintage.

ISBN:
978-1-78470-199-4
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OCLC Number:
968339659

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5 stars (8 reviews)

At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade’s training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, the next he was a patient struggling to live.

When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi’s transformation from a medical student asking what makes a virtuous and meaningful life into a neurosurgeon working in the core of human identity – the brain – and finally into a patient and a new father.

--back cover

29 editions

reviewed When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Didn't find this to live up to the hype or even the blurb...

3 stars

I feel icky giving low ratings to memoirs and biographies, but I just can't bring myself to give more than 3 stars for this one.

It was interesting to be able to see life through the lens of a neurosurgeon. But I felt like there were few moments where I was actually learning about what Paul went through, what he learned, what he truly felt. It lacked the emotion that I expected with someone coming to terms with knowing that their life will be short-lived and trying to move along with that. I learned far more in the afterword from his wife than I did in the entire book.

I also just have a particular dislike for people who decide to have kids when they know one parent will not be alive to see that child grow past being a toddler. It's not my life, and people should live how …

reviewed When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

A Refreshing Breath of Air into Our Own Fragility

5 stars

A powerful book that intertwines literature, philosophy, medicine, science, and religion all into a ball of lived-experience that highlights the fragility of our existence—even for the young, smart, and successful. This book will lead you to think deeply about your life and will cause you to weep as Paul recounts his own experience with death. This memoir is a short and essential read for all mortals.

reviewed When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Review of 'When Breath Becomes Air' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

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.

reviewed When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Review of 'When Breath Becomes Air' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Among the most powerful books I've ever read. It is hard to believe how completely Dr. Kalanithi covers just about every topic that matters in a life well-lived: birth, death, grief, love, fatherhood, morality, Christianity, literature, childhood, marriage, faith, friendship... I'm sure I'm missing even more. I am moved at how he faced a certain death; I'm in awe of his ability to express the journey in such a clear, profound way; I grieve for a world that lost one of the greats far too soon.

This is a magnificent tour de force of a book. It's a book only he could have written, and I am eternally grateful that he did.

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