When Breath Becomes Air
Reflections on life, death, and the human experience
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:5th Jan '17
Should be back in stock very soon
This powerful memoir explores the journey of a neurosurgeon turned patient, reflecting on life, death, and the meaning of existence in When Breath Becomes Air.
In When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi shares his extraordinary journey from medical student to neurosurgeon, and ultimately to patient. Diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer at the age of thirty-six, he navigates the profound questions of life, death, and what it means to lead a meaningful existence. Through his experiences, Kalanithi explores the delicate balance between being a healer and becoming a patient, offering insights into the human condition that resonate deeply with readers.
The narrative is both heart-wrenching and enlightening, as Kalanithi reflects on his training and the privilege of caring for patients while grappling with his own mortality. His eloquent prose invites readers to consider the essence of life and the impact of illness not only on individuals but also on their families and loved ones. This poignant memoir serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing each moment.
Despite his diagnosis, Kalanithi's commitment to his craft and his desire to impart wisdom shine through in When Breath Becomes Air. The book stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on all who read it. Kalanithi's legacy endures through his words, offering guidance and solace to those facing similar struggles, and encouraging us to reflect on the meaning of our own lives.
A vital book about dying. Awe-inspiring and exquisite. Obligatory reading for the living. -- Nigella Lawson
Rattling. Heartbreaking. Beautiful. -- Atul Gawande, author of BEING MORTAL
Powerful and poignant. * The Sunday Times *
Extraordinary...Remarkable... luminous, revelatory memoir about mortality and what makes being alive meaningful ... Lyrical, intimate, insistent and profound. Kalanithi had the mind of the polymath and the ear of a poet. * Daily Telegraph *
A stark, fascinating, well-written and heroic memoir. -- Stefanie Marsh * The Times *
Exceptional. -- Katie Law * Evening Standard *
When I came to the end of the last flawless paragraph of When Breath Becomes Air, all I could do was turn to the first page and read the whole thing again. Searingly intelligent, beautifully written, and beyond brave, I haven't been so marked by a book in years. -- Gabriel Weston, author of DIRECT RED
A meditation on what makes a life worth living. * Guardian *
A powerful and compelling read. * The Economist, Book of the Year *
Dr Kalanithi describes, clearly and simply, and entirely without self-pity, his journey from innocent medical student to professionally detached and all-powerful neurosurgeon to helpless patient, dying from cancer. He learns lessons about the reality of illness and the doctor-patient relationship that most doctors only learn in old age but Paul Kalanithi died at the tragically early age of 37.
Every doctor should read this book - written by a member of our own tribe, it helps us understand and overcome the barriers we all erect between ourselves and our patients as soon as we are out of medical school
- Short-listed for Wellcome Book Prize 2017 (UK)
- Short-listed for Pulitzer Prize for General Non-fiction 2017 (UK)
ISBN: 9781784701994
Dimensions: 197mm x 129mm x 18mm
Weight: 192g
256 pages