When Breath Becomes Air: A Review Of Paul Kalanithi's Moving Memoir

When Breath Becomes Air is an incredibly moving memoir written by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon facing his own mortality. It’s a story of hope and courage in the face of tragedy and despair, as he shares his experiences with terminal illness and death. Through this book, readers can gain insight into what it means to live a meaningful life in spite of our inevitable mortality. The writing is beautiful, as Kalanithi puts words to the unspeakable pain of illness and death. His profound understanding of life and death shines through every page. This book will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

The topics that Kalanithi touches upon are not only relevant to those facing terminal illness, but also to all of us who will inevitably experience loss at some point in our lives. He speaks honestly about his struggles with faith, family, and identity while dealing with his diagnosis. He candidly shares stories from his own life as well as moments of joy and sorrow that he witnessed in his career as a doctor. He also provides a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be human when faced with mortality. This book is truly an emotional roller coaster that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own life.

Table of Contents

When Breath Becomes Air Review

When Breath Becomes Air: A Poignant Reflection on Life and Death

When Breath Becomes Air is Paul Kalanithi’s poignant memoir about life and death. In the book, Paul, a neurosurgeon in training, reflects on his life and career while facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. Through his writing, he reveals deep insights into the value of life and death, as well as the power of courage and resilience.

Key Features:

Paul Kalanithi’s Story: Follows the journey of famed neurosurgeon in training Paul Kalanithi as he faces a terminal cancer diagnosis.

A Reflection on Life and Death: Explores the importance of recognizing one’s mortality, as well as the power of courage and resilience.

Poignant Writing Style: Written with grace and poignancy, this memoir serves as an inspiration for readers to live their lives to the fullest.

When Breath Becomes Air is an incredibly powerful read that will leave you feeling moved, inspired, and reflective. With its honest writing style and sincere reflections on mortality, Paul Kalanithi’s story has become a celebrated classic for readers seeking hope in times of despair. Whether you’re looking for solace or searching for answers to life’s biggest questions, When Breath Becomes Air will undoubtedly provide comfort.

Product Details

Product Name	Author	Publisher
When Breath Becomes Air	Paul Kalanithi	Random House Trade Paperbacks
ISBN-10	ISBN-13
081298840X	978-0812988406
Number of Pages	Publication Date
256 pages	January 12, 2016
Dimensions
5.9 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
Weight
11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

When Breath Becomes Air Pros and Cons

When Breath Becomes Air
1. Pros:
a) It is an inspiring and unforgettable memoir written by the late Paul Kalanithi, who was a neurosurgeon.
b) The book offers an honest insight into his experience as he faced terminal cancer.
c) It also contains valuable lessons about life and death that are applicable to everyone.
2. Cons:
a) Some readers have found the book too depressing or sad.
b) Others may find it difficult to relate to the author’s struggles with terminal illness.

For those seeking an inspirational read, When Breath Becomes Air is the perfect choice. It offers readers a unique perspective on life, death, and living in the moment. Despite its somber subject matter, it is ultimately uplifting and thought-provoking. While some readers may find it emotionally draining, others will appreciate its honest look at mortality and what it means to live life fully in the face of death.

Who are They for

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is a stunningly honest account of his life as a neurosurgeon. Written in the face of death, this memoir captures the joys and struggles of living with an incurable illness. Kalanithi poignantly explores questions about life, death, and the meaning of existence.

This heartbreaking book is an exploration of identity and life’s purpose. An inspiring read for anyone facing difficult times, Kalanithi’s story will evoke deep feelings in readers. With unflinching honesty, he reveals his own personal journey to understanding mortality. He takes us through his experiences with courage and grace, offering insight into the beauty and fragility of life.

The book is also filled with reflections on medicine and its power to heal or fail. With beautiful prose, Kalanithi shares his thoughts on the importance of living each day with intention and awareness. Through poignant observations, he encourages us to live fully—even when that means accepting our mortality.

When Breath Becomes Air is an unforgettable testament to the human spirit that will leave you feeling inspired. It offers a unique perspective on living one’s life to the fullest, even in the face of inevitable death.

My Experience for When Breath Becomes Air

I was once a medical student, and When Breath Becomes Air was my go-to book. It made me laugh, cry and think deeply about the meaning of life. From the very first page I felt connected to Paul Kalanithi’s story. He had so much wisdom, courage and resilience and it is no surprise that this book became a New York Times bestseller.

When Breath Becomes Air is an inspiring memoir. It tells the story of Paul Kalanithi, a young neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer at the peak of his career. Despite his diagnosis, he continued to work hard in search for answers and treatments for himself and others. His journey will make you appreciate life even more.

The writing style in When Breath Becomes Air is engaging and poignant, making it easy to read and hard to put down. You will find yourself reflecting on your own life choices as Kalanithi bravely faced his mortality. He writes about faith, hope and love with such vulnerability that you can’t help but feel inspired by him.

This book has helped me understand how precious time is and how important it is to make the most of every moment. As I wrote in my journal after reading it: “Life isn’t measured by years; it’s measured by moments.” If you’re looking for a powerful read, I highly recommend When Breath Becomes Air!

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:

1. Some readers find the book to be too scientific and technical.

2. It is not suitable for readers who are looking for a lighter read.

3. The book can be emotionally draining due to its subject matter.

4. Some readers find the writing style to be overly flowery and poetic.

5. It may not appeal to readers who prefer nonfiction books that are more research-oriented.

How to Live an Exemplary Life with When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air is a deeply moving book about Paul Kalanithi, a young neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His story of courage and resilience serves as an inspiration to us all, but it can also be used as a guide to living an exemplary life. Here are some tips on how to live an exemplary life with the principles from this book:

Take responsibility for your life. Paul Kalanithi taught us to take responsibility for our own lives and make decisions that will bring us closer to achieving our goals. He faced his own mortality head-on and accepted his fate with grace and dignity. We can all learn from his example and be responsible for ourselves.
Seize the moment. One of the most powerful lessons in When Breath Becomes Air is that we should seize every moment that we have and make the most of it. We do not know when our time will come, so we should focus on making each day count and appreciating everything that life has to offer.
Live with intention. Paul Kalanithi knew that there were things he wanted out of life, even in the face of death. He was deliberate in his actions and strived to make sure that he accomplished his goals before his time ran out. We should strive to live with intention like Paul did, so that we can make the most out of our limited time on earth.
Be kind to others. In addition to taking responsibility for himself, Paul was also kind and generous towards others, even in times of hardship. He was always willing to help people in need and serve as a source of comfort for those struggling around him. This is something we can all learn from – being kind and compassionate towards others is one of the best ways to live an exemplary life.

By following these lessons from When Breath Becomes Air, we can strive to lead better lives by living with intention, taking responsibility for ourselves, seizing every moment, and being kind to those around us.

Questions about When Breath Becomes Air

What is When Breath Becomes Air?

When Breath Becomes Air is a New York Times best-selling memoir by the late Paul Kalanithi, who was a neurosurgeon and writer. It chronicles his journey as he battles lung cancer while reflecting on his life and thoughts on mortality.

What topics does When Breath Becomes Air cover?

When Breath Becomes Air covers a wide range of topics, from marriage to morality and spirituality. In particular, Paul Kalanithi examines questions about how to live a meaningful life in the face of death. He also reflects on his difficult experiences with illness and loss, providing insight into how these events shape our lives and beliefs.

Why should I read When Breath Becomes Air?

When Breath Becomes Air is an inspiring and thought-provoking memoir that provides readers with an opportunity to reflect on their own lives. Through his honest writing and vivid storytelling, Paul Kalanithi encourages readers to contemplate the big questions of life and death, enabling them to gain valuable insight into what it means to be human.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.