I had finally read this book after a wanting to do so for a really long time. After a huge hiatus of not reading (!!!) for around 3-4 years, i finally, after a new year resolution, brought back my reading habit into action last year. This book took a prestige place in my reading list for this year.
It is a very thought provoking autobiography. The author is Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon in residency who sadly dies after succumbing to metastatic lung cancer at age of 37.The book has additions from his friend and his wife as well. This is a life story from childhood to his death. The picture develops of an young, ambitious, brilliant mind who throughout his life and career seeks to find answers to questions of identity, life and death. He narrates his experiences as a doctor through its layers of professional, medical and ethical dilemmas. Never does he shy away from voicing the truth or self criticism. At the end, he confronts death in the most honest and graceful manner. The decisions he takes as a husband and doctor is nothing short of absolute grit and fills you with a deep sense of admiration. He writes this book in the last few months of his life and is testament to his resolve in "living until death".
He is an eloquent writer and there is a real expectation to think between the lines. He weaves philosophy into the day to day human life. In short, he creates an undercurrent of value and meaning to the simple things we do in life.
Personally, the questions and answers the book presents demands you to think and rethink one's actions and thoughts. More so as a doctor, it invites to pause and consider our attitudes towards patients and to consider how intricate and sensitive these relationships actually are!. At the end of the day, I truly believe, his words and actions ,if one is willing, can make you a better person.
The book is definitely for a read especially for healthcare professionals and those who aspire to be one. The time that you spent will be worth as you feel a great sense of pride for knowing a fellow human being as wonderful and remarkable as he was.
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