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Reviews

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
2017-02-01

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and he wrote this book to recount and discuss his life in its entirety. Not only his life but life and death in general. I read this book in pieces. Everyone who saw it open in my hands told me I would do so. It was made known that I should expect to cry and I certainly did. What was interesting to me were the points at which emotion struck. It didn't always happen by way of my normal triggers. Reading about his discussions with his wife after having just gotten the news is very moving indeed. Kalanithi's is an eloquent telling of a short life lived so well. Normal events become exceptional as they are gifted, in transit, with the author's appreciation of them. I was not prepared for the poetic way in which our neurosurgeon enlists the reader to appreciate the miniscule narrative contained in almost any action performed by one's neighbour. His simple descriptions of the hospital staff during his first visit to Obstetrics and Gynaecology easily triple the significance of whomever is at the centre of his focus. The wise and humble telling of his reactions to the bad and, less bad, news he receives throughout his illness cannot help but inspire. It is ultimately heartbreaking to know the world didn't have such a precisely considerate soul for longer than 23 days shy of 38 years. I hate to make grand claims unless I'm being sarcastic but; everyone should read this book.

- by Neil Hendry

by: Neil

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