When Breath Becomes Air: a book review.

I used to love reading but during the past few months I barely even picked up a book. Reading had lost its magic, it’s charm. At least, that’s what I told my parents when they asked me. These days, my parents have been pushing me to read and one of their recommendations was “When breath becomes air” by Paul Kalanithi.

Frankly, I didn’t have high expectations and was ready to force myself to read the book just for the sake of saying I completed it. However, after the foreword (which I had forced myself to read) I found that the book was rather interesting and before I knew it I had been reading for two hours and it was dinner time.

The book is divided into two parts and is rather easy to read. The main focus of the story is a thirty-five-year-old literature lover turned neurosurgeon. The book is an autobiography and shows off Paul’s writing prowess. He had the ability to convey what he wanted to say crisply and beautifully. Although his writing style was neither flamboyant nor glorious, it had a certain realness that is very easy to relate to.

I followed the story of a young adult fascinated with death. He strived to find answers to his questions and decided that the best way to understand the phenomena of death was to experience it first-hand. This is when he decided to become a doctor. He knew that the job that he had chosen would require arduous hard work and that the road to success would not be easy.

However, he stood unfazed in the face of all his difficulties and overcame them one by one. He became a skilled surgeon and had the next twenty years of his scientific career planned out (the twenty years after that, he would write). But life was not all cupcakes and unicorns. Nearing the end of his residency he felt weak and sick. Although he tried to deny it, he knew.

Then, he was diagnosed. He had stage four lung cancer. His world turned upside down. The skilled neurosurgeon that everyone thought was going places became a sickly patient with an unknown fate. All his plans fell through and he no longer knew how long he had left.

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“When breath becomes air” is the type of book that really makes you think, it’s the type of book that makes you believe. Personally, it gave me hope (for lack of a better word). If Paul can do it why can’t I? Why can’t I be both a doctor and a writer? Why can’t I be as hardworking? Why can’t my life be as successful? The answer is simple. Why not?

Before I used to believe that I would have to choose between science and art, being a doctor and a writer. However now I believe that I can do both if I commit. The book has broadened my horizons and has opened my eyes to possibilities that I had never even known were conceivable.

I found “When breath becomes air” to be a rather compelling and touching read and I enjoyed the book more than I had expected to. Easy to read, heart touching and filled with life lessons and values, I believe it is a must read.

Hope you’ve enjoyed reading and see you next week!