Reviews with content warning for Medical trauma - When Breath Becomes Air

Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

47 reviews

readandfindout's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

On first read in 2017: This has to be one of my favorite non-fiction books of all time now. I often find that, though I will enjoy a memoir, it doesn't really resonate with me. But this certainly did.

The entire time that I was reading this book, I was noting the similarities between my thinking and Paul's. I wish that we had been able to meet, because I think we could have had some very interesting discussions about mortality and meaning. I also found myself awed by his integrity, throughout his life as well as when he was facing death.

On 2023 reread

Overall rating: 4.75 stars

Style/writing: 4.5 stars
Themes: 5 stars
Perspective: 5 stars

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meremeth's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

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beetandbaguette's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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parasolcrafter's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

i needed a good chunk of time to let this book sit with me because it was soooo impactful, and much more than i had prepared myself for. its just...living in its rawest state; learning to know a man in his own words as he comes to terms with his life in the past, present, but not future as hes very quickly dying...its a lot to read about but Paul Kalanithi had such a way with words and for that many people will always be grateful to him and he'll always be remembered. i wish the best to his family 💖

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puterica's review against another edition

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emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

Banyak istilah kedokteran yang kurang bisa dipahami, tapi secara keseluruhan narasi dari Paul udah enak bgt utk diikuti. Buku ini ngingetin aku sm banyak hal yg seharusnya aku prioritasin. And im bawlinh my eyes out reading the epilogue😭

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sabrinas's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

I cannot stress this enough, if you’re reading/listening to this book be fully prepared to cry. A friend recommended I not listen to this audiobook while driving because I would need to pull over and cry. I heeded that advice and I listened at home—alone—and I openly wept.

Paul’s words were very clinical at times but never cold or without emotion. This was his life’s story about his education, career, and personal life but most importantly it’s about how he continued to live even though he knew he was dying.

Lucy’s epilogue absolutely wrecked me.

Paul: ”I’m ready.”

Lucy: “I climbed into the last bed we’d share.”

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emgovan's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

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balfies's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

Immensely powerful, visceral posthumous memoir by a neuroscientist-neurosurgeon about his shifting philosophies around life and death in the face of his work and his cancer diagnosis. This was truly compelling to read, I finished it in one sitting. He has a very distinct, intelligent voice. Feel like this is one to return to at big moments of hardship and grief in life.

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k04j1's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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