When Breathe Becomes Air By Paul Kalanithi Book Review — Titilola Shittu
This is a very heartbreaking memoir written by Paul Kalanithi- a neurosurgeon who had lung cancer. The book is about his struggle with the terminal illness.
“I was driven less by achievement than by trying to understand in earnest what makes human life meaningful?” Paul said. He considered literature as the essence of life — which made him acquire a degree in English literature. But he fell in love with neurosurgery — the link between a meaningful life.
One thing I love about the book is the way it talks about life. He said “The defining characteristic of a meaningful life is striving.” He faced this also when he was on the transition towards death.The thought of having a child which he would be leaving behind must have been very heartbreaking.
The author tells his story in a very compassionate way. Paul Kalanithi was a very courageous man,it must have been difficult for him to tell his painful story.
When breath becomes air is a book embedded with a whole lot of wisdom. It was a great read.
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