Comments on: When Breath Becomes Air

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 01:37:40 +0000

In reply to Kristin. Agreed. There was so much grace and self-awareness in him.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:35:51 +0000

I waited to read your review because I had literally just gotten the book from the library and I wanted to form my own opinions. What a special book! It is so difficult going in knowing the tragic conclusion, and yet, like the previous commenter Susan, I didn’t cry until the epilogue. Paul’s writing was so beautiful and his perspective so wise that I didn’t feel the tragedy until I was facing the final moments of his life.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 02:48:04 +0000

In reply to Katie @ Doing Dewey.

It’s odd- I cried early on, but towards the end I didn’t. Almost as if his doctorly impulses took over and he didn’t want to upset the reader. Except for his final words…you’ll need the tissues.

By: Katie @ Doing Dewey

Katie @ Doing Dewey — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 17:59:46 +0000

I just received this book in the nonfiction book and I’m excited to pick it up – although my swap partner did send it with a pack of tissues I expect I’ll be needing! Books about medicine and nonfiction with beautiful prose talking about big questions are something I can’t say no to though, so I’ll definitely be picking this up even though I know it will make it me cry 🙂 Thanks for the great review!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 18:13:27 +0000

In reply to susan. Oh, Lord, I'm sure I couldn't have handled audio!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 18:12:50 +0000

In reply to Susie | Novel Visits. Agreed. Even though his job was so rarified, everyone has to face death and his responses made me feel sad and peaceful- if that makes sense.

By: Susie | Novel Visits

Susie | Novel Visits — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 13:33:24 +0000

Perfect review of this gem of a book. Kalanithi was so wise and yet so every man, too. I hated his story and I loved it. For me it was difficult because the ending was known, so I was always worried about him, but I’m grateful for the life lessons of When Breath Becomes Air.

By: susan

susan — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 20:52:28 +0000

I listened to this book as an audiobook last year and somehow I held it together until the wife’s very well done epilogue — upon which I lost it. She writes that well. Gosh it seems so unfair to Paul and all of them. It really got me: both in rage / & sadness.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:18:44 +0000

In reply to Tara. It's so sad that there will be no more contributions from him, either in medicine or writing.

By: Tara

Tara — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 15:46:52 +0000

YES, YES, YES!! I cannot say enough good things about this book; I have pushed it onto so many people that I work with, or come into contact with because of my work, and they are always appreciative. There is so much wisdom and enlightenment within his story; a beautiful contribution.