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| Published 12 January 2016. |
Over the next 22 months, his life came into sharp focus as he tried to align his values with how he spent his dwindling time.
The pages of his memoir make evident Kalanithi's three core values: develop the skill as a neurosurgeon in order to prolong life and quality of that life; read, write and think deeply about what it means to be human; and cherish loved ones.
As a retired English teacher, I particularly enjoyed how he found solace through the pages of literature. In years prior, Kalanithi not only studied biology and medicine, he also earned three degrees in literature and philosophy. His memoir draws on key passages from classic literature, helping him explore his thoughts and feelings.
His memoir covers those months in some detail, but he also reviews the whole of his life. He died on March 9, 2015 at the age of 37, just eight months after his wife, Lucy, gave birth to their only child, Elizabeth Acadia (aka Cady).
The Epilogue, written by his wife, explains that the book's manuscript was incomplete and had to be pieced together by Lucy and the book's editor. This is understandable, given that Kalanithi was undergoing various treatments and finishing his training so that he could graduation with his MD prior to the cancer disabling him.
He lost his health the very day of his commencement. I am selfishly grateful that he spent some of his waning time writing material that editors could fashion into this thoughtful, touching memoir.
Related:
Books on the Dying Process
Films about Older Adults Active in the Dying Process
Final Exam: Book Review (author is a surgeon)
Being Mortal: Book Review
This sounds like a truly wonderful book. Someday...someday I hope to be able to read it. Time is such a precious thing isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to assume a particular future, and then in an instant things can change dramatically. He shares that vertigo moment, but I imagine it was way more disorienting than his portrayal. He projects a fairly calm and introspective demeanor.
DeleteSome artists are taken from us way too soon! It was wonderful that his wife and editor were so dedicated, and finished writing the book. Kudos to them!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could focus in this way in the year after losing a loved one. It was kind and heroic for his wife to complete his book in such a timely manner.
DeleteI felt so delicate lately I've deliberately avoided this book. I think it's time I read it whether I'm feeling personally delicate or not.
ReplyDeleteCarla: Bless you and your tender heart. May you feel protected and healed, and may you have people come into your path who will minister to your needs. Hugs and hugs. I have read a handful of books in this genre, and he really avoids raw emotion. Some of the reviewers on Goodreads criticize him for not processing his feelings more overtly. He takes a philosophical and scholarly approach. That being said, I did cry when he writes about his infant daughter. He does convey emotion, but it's not overwrought. (My memoir in a similar situation would be!!)
DeleteI've heard such great things about this book. I've been a little reluctant to read it since the loss of my sister almost one year ago, also to lung cancer. What a great gift he left by writing this book. I will read it...Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about the loss of your sister. Yes, it may be too soon. People grieve in their own way, and reading a book about a similar experience might be a salve but might be an irritant. Hugs and hugs.
DeleteThis looks like a really good book, thank you for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteAll my best for finding a book that hits just the right spot for your summer reading, whichever book that might be.
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