Book Review: When Breath Becomes Air {+ Bonus Link}
When Breath Becomes Air is the memoir of the life and (mostly) death of Dr. Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist at Stanford. Paul died of cancer, quickly, days after graduating from residency, leaving behind a wife and infant daughter. He wrote this memoir during the short time he battled cancer.
What worked
Perhaps because I live with a life-threatening disease, Paul’s battle with a terminal illness felt personal. “Death may be a one-time event, but living with terminal illness is a process.” (Part II: Cease Not Till Death) Amen!
He wrestled with the meaning of life, and I understood. He was surprised by what it felt like to be a patient, at one point noticing that you can taste the saltiness of saline solution as it is dripped into your veins, and I understood. He described the helplessness of being in a bed while a team of doctors stood around arguing about his treatment, calling it WICOS (Who Is the Captain Of this Ship?), and I understood.
Paul knew he was dying, yet chose to live as much as he could before the end. “Even if I’m dying, until I actually die, I am still living.” (Part II: Cease Not Till Death) This reminded me of a little mantra I tell myself, “As long as there is breath in my lungs, God is not done with me yet.” It is good to be reminded of the sovereignty of God. I’ll admit, sadly, that it took several years after my lungs broke to get on with living while God determined for me to still be alive. Paul is a better example.
One of Paul’s lifelong learning adventures was to determine where meaning comes from. It’s what led him to a career in neuroscience. It’s also what led him to God.
As I read Paul’s words, I found a friendship building, which is the weirdest thing ever, if I’m being honest. We never met. I didn’t know he existed before picking up this book. Yet, I cried when I finished the book. For days, I mourned the loss of this new friendship formed through pain and suffering and a peace that comes from accepting what God has allowed.
While living with a disease that keeps me fragile, finding a friend in Paul was like finding someone who understands, someone who has walked part of the road I’ve traveled. It was a treasure to find him.
Who it is for
I recommend this book to anyone wrestling with the meaning of life, anyone enduring a physical suffering (especially a chronic illness), and anyone who loves someone suffering a terminal illness.
CAUTIONS
Death is described from both a patient’s view and a doctor’s view. Sometimes, it can be clinically non-emotional.
There is a mention of suicide.
There are a few cuss words.
The reality of patients living in a vegetative state is discussed from a few angles.
STAR RATING
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars for good writing that honors the death process, for honesty about the faith aspect of dying, and for being oddly hopeful. (Side note: Paul grew up reading the classics. He earned a degree in English Literature and always wanted to write. It shows.)
Bonus
The forward by Abraham Verghese is excellent. Don’t skip it.
Read Paul’s New York Times article, “How Long Have I Got Left?” that spurred the writing of When Breath Becomes Air.
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