When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is an unforgettable memoir about a young neurosurgeon's struggle with terminal illness. Kalanithi was a brilliant neurosurgeon at the peak of his abilities. Dedicated to his career and its possibilities, he was well on track to achieve his life’s goal of becoming the best surgeon he could be. That is, until he received a diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer. His world was forever altered and he was forced to reconsider what a meaningful life should be.
Kalanithi’s journey began in the winter of 2013 when he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. What followed is an impeccably written story of battles, spiritual quest, and personal reflections. Kalanithi faced his illness with courage and a relentless will to live. He captures the ambiguities of life and death, of endings and new beginnings, and of modern medicine and its limits. But what is most remarkable about this book is not its account of a life cut short, but its meditation on how to make the most of a life defined by such stark limitations.
Less than a year after the cancer diagnosis, Kalanithi passed away, leaving behind this unforgettable memoir. In When Breath Becomes Air, Kalanithi shares his most intimate thoughts on life, death, and his future. Preparing for death and reflecting on his life as a patient, a physician, and a future father, he offers a unique insight into the complexities of mortality, science, and spirituality.
At its core, When Breath Becomes Air is a story of light and darkness, of gaining and losing, and of learning to accept and celebrate our individual mortality. Even in the face of tragedy, Kalanithi maintains a positive attitude and hope for the future. He urges readers to consider not only our individual mortality, but also what it means to live a meaningful life. Kalanithi’s memoir is moving, reasonable, and inspiring.
In the face of despair and uncertainty, Kalanithi’s wisdom and wit endures. While his life was cut short, his words remind us that death does not equate to the end of life. Kalanithi’s poignant message is one of hope, and it extends far beyond the scope of his memoir. When Breath Becomes Air is a powerful reminder of what makes life beautiful and exciting, and even its tragedy can continue to illuminate.
