Book Review: When Breath Becomes Air

#5stars #whenbreathbecomesair

“Human knowledge is never contained in one person. It grows from the relationships we create between each other and the world, and still it is never complete.” - Paul Kalanithi

When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir from Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgical resident who has to face his uncertain death from cancer. Nearing the final days of his life, Paul reflected on his view on death over his life, from the scientific lens through his calling in neuroscience and insight of death through human condition through literature. Although he was unable to see the future of both his doctoral service, supporting patients through his life, Paul was able to touch millions of readers with his reflection in life.

I’ve always wanted to read the renowned book, but my friend had given me the chance to do so and lent me his copy. In a span of a couple of days, I finished the book with a deeper insight into the duality of life and death. Although I had reflected on what the end of my life would bring over high school, whenever I was centrally focused on my work, I would need to move past those philosophical thoughts and instead focus on the steps ahead of me. Yet, what I admired about Paul was his willingness to face such uncertainty with a clear-eyed view and constantly strive for those answers about death. It was such philosophy that guided him through his readings in literature and his approach with the multitudes of patients that he met through his residency. 

To approach death and the uncertainty of the future is one of the most fearful things that one could experience, the uncertain inevitability of our ending and losing everything that we love along the way. From the time of the cancer diagnosis that Paul received, to walk the tightrope of life and death was left most in my mind. Was Paul going to continue his work as a surgeon? Was he going to write in the remainder of his life? The push and pull of hope and agony was present through all the decisions that Paul had to undergo. But the way Paul had to experience both life and death in his first day working with patients in the hospital, the release and celebration of his young daughter’s life at the end of his own was both a sad but fulfilling moment for conclusion.

I would recommend this book to anyone willing to read it and experience Paul’s philosophy through his life.