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- Book Title: When Breath Becomes Air
- Author: Paul Kalanithi
- Year Published: January 12, 2016. (Please note: As When Breath Becomes Air was recently released, its copyright must expire before a legal and free PDF version is available.)
- Goodreads Rating: 4.40/5
- Availability: Buy the PDF from Google Play Books.
After you have purchased When Breath Becomes Air, follow these instructions to download it from Google Play Books in PDF format:
- Click on the "Books" tab at the top of your screen.
- Click on the "Your Library" link beneath that.
- Find your book and click the icon with three dots beneath the cover image.
- Select "Export" and then "Export as PDF".
How to Read When Breath Becomes Air in PDF Format
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Our Review of When Breath Becomes Air
"When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi is a memoir that leaves a lasting impact on readers through its profound reflections on life, death, and the meaning found in between. Paul Kalanithi, a brilliant neurosurgeon and writer, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the peak of his medical career. This book chronicles his journey from a promising doctor to a patient facing his own mortality. It’s a work that resonates deeply, offering both a touching narrative and thought-provoking insights into what makes life worth living.
The book’s structure mirrors Kalanithi’s life. The first half covers his early years, exploring his path to medicine, driven by a love for both science and literature. His writing here is captivating, painting a vivid picture of the grueling demands of medical training and the ethical challenges doctors face. It’s an eye-opener for anyone unfamiliar with the intense life of a medical resident, offering a window into the struggles and moral dilemmas that shape those who take on this critical role.
The second half of the memoir shifts focus to Kalanithi’s battle with cancer. Here, the narrative becomes more intimate, as he grapples with the reality of his diagnosis. The writing is raw, alternating between hope and despair, making it nearly impossible not to wish for a different outcome, even though the end is inevitable. Readers who have faced similar situations may find comfort in his words, while others will gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological toll terminal illness takes on both patients and their families.
Kalanithi’s literary background shines through in his eloquent prose, which is unexpected yet deeply moving coming from a medical professional. His reflections on the human condition, drawn from both his experiences as a doctor and a patient, add layers of depth to the narrative. The memoir closes with an epilogue by his wife, Lucy Kalanithi, whose words provide a fitting and heartfelt conclusion to this remarkable journey.
What makes "When Breath Becomes Air" particularly worth reading is its ability to change how one perceives life and death. It’s more than just a memoir; it’s a meditation on what it means to live fully, even in the face of death. Whether you’re drawn to stories about medicine, personal transformation, or philosophical musings on existence, this book offers something profound for everyone. It’s a brief read, but the thoughts it provokes will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
We recommend adding "When Breath Becomes Air" to your reading list. And after you've finished, why not check out our top BookTok recommendations? You might just find your next great read there!
