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When Breath Becomes Air
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Sunil Malhotra
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
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When Breath Becomes Air
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Summary
Tackling the agonizing transition from skilled surgeon to bewildered patient, When Breath Becomes Air is an unflinching account of what it means to be betrayed by the body you devoted your life to understanding.
The New York Times number-one best seller.
At the age of 36, on the verge of completing a decade's training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, the next he was a patient struggling to live.
When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a medical student asking what makes a virtuous and meaningful life into a neurosurgeon working in the core of human identity - the brain - and finally into a patient and a new father.
What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when life is catastrophically interrupted? What does it mean to have a child as your own life fades away?
Paul Kalanithi died while working on this profoundly moving book, yet his words live on as a guide to us all. When Breath Becomes Air is a life-affirming reflection on facing our mortality and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a gifted writer who became both.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Zaman
- 10-01-17
Great book
Great read about reflection
Especially Great insight for medics
I would highly recommend for all clinicians
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Susan P.
- 21-08-21
Absolutely riveting c
Couldn’t stop listening to this true story. Heartbreaking for sure. Thourougly recommended to read this book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- TheActualRon
- 26-02-18
Really thought provoking
I read this as a medical student in my penultimate year of study while on my palliative care pathway and it put into perspective the humanity and death we as physicians so often become accustomed to and...desensitised against.
I really enjoyed this book and it reminded me of why I am doing what I am doing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs Q
- 09-03-18
When Breath Becomes Air......
I have listened to hundreds of books and very rarely review them other than a star rating.
When Breath Becomes Air has me captured from the moment I started listening. The mix of medical and emotional insight is very good indeed. I feel as though I knew the man after listening to this and honestly I wept at the end.
A lot.
Thank you to the family for your commitment and bravery in publishing this x
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Peter
- 18-03-18
incredible!!
such an incredible, moving and inspirational story. I would definitely recommend it as an audio book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 29-06-18
Contemplative companion (easy listen)
Apart from the medical jargon, the book is simply written. The non-complex way it was written placed emphasis and allowed the exploration of other areas of the human psyche. A contemplative companion and nightly staple during the hour (or two) just before bed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- L. Hamilton-white
- 01-11-17
Poignant in its inspiration
This book is a brave and intimate sharing of the experience of creating a unique and personal path to death. It is courageous in confronting one of our continuing taboos that of dying and death. In so doing, and with gentle and honest candour, the author brings us into his personal journey. It is beautifully written with poetry enmeshed with philosophy and yet grounded firmly making it accessible to all. I feel it would make good recommended reading for all especially medical professionals and any whose lives are touched by grief or the care of the dying.
It is not depressing but instead inspires to improve our relationship and therefore our experience with death and dying.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sue
- 31-10-16
Tragic story, beautiful writing
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes. As a reminder of our own mortality in the business of life. The author is in control of his successful academic and professional career which he has worked long and hard for, only to have his future blown out of the water by a devastating diagnosis. Gradually his identity is taken away and he becomes a patient.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Paul himself, a lovely, intelligent, thoughtful and open man, living to learn.
What does Cassandra Campbell and Sunil Malhotra bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
I think reading this book may be better than listening. Nothing wrong with the narration, but his beautiful writing is meant to be read.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Too many to mention, but his joy in the new life of his baby daughter as his drew to a close was very poignant.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- sannah ahmed essa
- 25-01-22
A true story of bravery.
I loved this book. I got deeply emotionally invested in the storyline. I would 100% recommend it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- marnie jack
- 28-12-19
Enlightening
Even if I didn't have a cancer diagnosis I'd have learned so much about courage and intelligent authenticity. I learned a lot about how dying works, not in a morbid way but as useful information I'll need for death in myself and my family. It's about how to live well and die well. It has strengthened and deepened my spirit.
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