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71 pages 2 hours read

When Breath Becomes Air

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2016

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Book Brief

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Paul Kalanithi

When Breath Becomes Air

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

228

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

California • 2000s-2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is a memoir chronicling his journey from childhood to becoming a neurosurgeon, and his profound struggle with terminal cancer. The book reflects on his experiences from medical school to residency, his diagnosis, and how he grapples with questions of life, death, and purpose. His meditations blend professional expertise with personal vulnerability, culminating in the birth of his daughter and his eventual passing. The narrative deeply explores themes of illness, mortality, and finding meaning in life's final chapter.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Inspirational

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.5

810,833 ratings

88%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is lauded for its poignant and introspective narrative, capturing the author's transition from doctor to patient. Readers appreciate its eloquent prose and philosophical depth. However, some critiques mention a rushed ending and an incomplete sense of closure. Overall, it is a profoundly moving memoir that sparkles with emotional and intellectual insight.

Who should read this

Who Should Read When Breath Becomes Air?

Readers who will appreciate When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi are often drawn to deeply personal memoirs and the intersection of medicine, mortality, and meaning. They may also enjoy Atul Gawande's Being Mortal or Abraham Verghese's Cutting for Stone for their insightful and poignant exploration of life and death.

4.5

810,833 ratings

88%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

228

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

California • 2000s-2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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