A review by bookfairy99
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
This book really changed the way I look at aging, mortality, and what it means to live a life that's truly meaningful. I believe everyone should read this, no matter your age or stage in life.
The book begins by exploring how we, as a society, often fail to address the needs and desires of the elderly and the terminally ill. Instead of focusing on their quality of life, our medical system tends to prioritize extending life at any cost, even if it means giving up the very things that make life worth living. Gawande is an incredibly skilled storyteller. He weaves together anecdotes from his own experiences as a surgeon with broader historical and societal context. The result is a compelling and accessible narrative that had me hooked from the very first page.
One part that really resonated with me was Gawande's discussion of how society has shifted from venerating elders to venerating the independent self. He writes, "The veneration of elders may be gone, but not because it has been replaced by veneration of youth. It's been replaced by veneration of the independent self." This observation made me recognize that the value we place on independence can sometimes come at the expense of respecting and honoring the wisdom and experiences of our elders.
Gawande also writes beautifully about how people don't view their lives as merely the average of all its moments. He says, "For human beings, life is meaningful because it is a story. A story has a sense of a whole, and its arc is determined by the significant moments, the ones where something happens." This quote had a deep impact on my perspective of my own life. It serves as a lovely reminder to focus on the moments that matter most and to embrace the narrative of our lives.
In conclusion, "Being Mortal" is a thought-provoking, compassionate, and deeply personal exploration of aging, mortality, and what it means to live a meaningful life. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's a must-read that will leave you with valuable insights and a fresh perspective on life.
The book begins by exploring how we, as a society, often fail to address the needs and desires of the elderly and the terminally ill. Instead of focusing on their quality of life, our medical system tends to prioritize extending life at any cost, even if it means giving up the very things that make life worth living. Gawande is an incredibly skilled storyteller. He weaves together anecdotes from his own experiences as a surgeon with broader historical and societal context. The result is a compelling and accessible narrative that had me hooked from the very first page.
One part that really resonated with me was Gawande's discussion of how society has shifted from venerating elders to venerating the independent self. He writes, "The veneration of elders may be gone, but not because it has been replaced by veneration of youth. It's been replaced by veneration of the independent self." This observation made me recognize that the value we place on independence can sometimes come at the expense of respecting and honoring the wisdom and experiences of our elders.
Gawande also writes beautifully about how people don't view their lives as merely the average of all its moments. He says, "For human beings, life is meaningful because it is a story. A story has a sense of a whole, and its arc is determined by the significant moments, the ones where something happens." This quote had a deep impact on my perspective of my own life. It serves as a lovely reminder to focus on the moments that matter most and to embrace the narrative of our lives.
In conclusion, "Being Mortal" is a thought-provoking, compassionate, and deeply personal exploration of aging, mortality, and what it means to live a meaningful life. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's a must-read that will leave you with valuable insights and a fresh perspective on life.