Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

28 reviews

mdwsn27's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death, Medical content, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood

berryradical's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

I was able to read this book in a day. Definitely cried. The briefness we have on this planet makes you question things like what to let go of or what to pursue based on what you value. Paul going from a surgeon being paged to patient status places his viewpoints in perspective. He leaves behind a legacy of trying to help others in a vulnerable state. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Death

smkelly1997's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

Beautifully written. I wish their could have been more but I guess that somewhat reflects life and one of the many messages of this book. Overall, incredible. I think it’s important for all health care providers to read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Vomit, Cancer, and Chronic illness

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Cancer, Death, and Medical content

Minor: Vomit and Suicide

serenachowna's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, and Grief

asen123's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.75

Beautifully written. It highlights so many ideas about death, the relationship between patient and doctor, and purpose. The epilogue is gut punching. The story is so beautiful and heartfelt. It’s incredible. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death

parasolcrafter's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Cancer, Chronic illness, Medical content, Pregnancy, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Suicide

puterica's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Cancer

Moderate: Suicide

brinasatt's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Chronic illness, Medical content, Death, Cancer, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Addiction, Suicide, Dementia, Car accident, and Blood

lmy612's review against another edition

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. 

Spoiler

Paul: ”I’m ready.” 

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, Grief, Chronic illness, Death, and Medical content

Moderate: Infertility and Pregnancy

Minor: Vomit