Tuesday, May 17, 2016

When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi

No one is able to escape the death. The newborn babies, the successful and riches, the beautiful and young, the poor, the oldies, in fact, anyone, eventually one day we will all go to the same destination.

Paul Kalanithi  (Pic source: Google.com)

Death and life in the eye of Paul Kalanithi, a 36 years old man. Graduated from Standford University with a BA and MA in English literature, and BA in human biology. He too had MPhil in history and philosophy of science and medicine from the University of Cambridge and graduated cum laude from the Yale School of Medicine. He returned to Standford to complete his residency training in neurological surgery and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience as it was his calling and passion to become a neurologist.

Birth and death - Samuel Beckett

He felt pain on his body and later on found out that he was diagnosed with stage IV of lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live.

What makes life worth living in the face of death? He had been asking this throughout his life. Through his experience he shared what agony he faced through the living, dying, and already dead body from his medical and philosophical point of view.

When breath becomes air- Paul Kalanithi 

Finally I managed to borrow and read this book. It's his dream to use his love and passion in literature to write the book before he disappeared from this world. Although he couldn't manage to finish writing it, he tried as best as he could to convey what he felt, his experience towards the upcoming dying, the unknowing time, which was later than what he expected and earlier than what he desired.

His wife, Lucy, continued the chapter at the last part, vividly expressed their feelings towards that final day and her gratitude towards the man that she loved deeply. It made me crying my heart out as I could feel their loss and pain. He had chosen his way on how to spend the rest of his life. Thank you Paul and Lucy to share your life with us. Rest in peace Paul...

4 comments:

Luzee said...

I read about their story some months ago and badly wanted to read the book. Sadly, you had borrowed, was hoping I could borrow from you :)

Will try looking for it in a bookstore!

Overcome Life said...

Hope you manage to get the book there. It's already been sold in India though. Sure soon it will reach Bhutan :)

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing about this book.I was looking for this book as soon as I saw your reveiw but took a long time to get. Finally i a got a copy. Really a tearjerking. One of most heart melting book ever.

Overcome Life said...

It's my pleasure la. You should have told me if you want to read it and I'll get one for you la. Glad that you enjoy reading it :)

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