Reviews with content warning for Death - Being Mortal

Reviews tagging 'Death'

josh_goetz's review

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

This book, like the conversations and decisions it explores, is uncomfortable, unflinching, and essential. We tip-toe around the topic of death, ignoring it for as long as we can until inevitably it arrives at our feet, sometimes suddenly, sometimes in an excruciating crawl. In Being Mortal, Dr. Atul Gawande makes the case that our perspectives on death and dying are limited, and only by changing our framing can we best serve ourselves and our loved ones in our dying days.

We often view healthcare and medicine as essential for preserving and extending life. But at what point do the costs and sacrifices of preserving one’s life infringe on one’s ability to live a dignified and fulfilling life?

What are the responsibilities of doctors and healthcare providers in aiding their patients with life altering medical decisions?

How can we best support the people in our lives who are quickly approaching the final years of their lives?

This book has given me an entirely new view on life (and of course, death) and will be staying with me for a long time.

9/10

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bendercath's review

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

So powerful and thought-provoking. My parents who are in their 80s and both had careers in medicine also read this. Everyone should read this book. However, the topic is very heavy so proceed with caution if you are currently having a difficult time.

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nyom7's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is a must read for frankly everyone. They say the two things you can guarantee in life are death and taxes. Well this book deals with the mortality of man in a hopeful, profound, and easy to access way. Having these conversations with your loved ones is imperative. The humanity and compassion contained within these pages, shaped by the experiences of the author pours out. READ. THIS. BOOK. Tell your friends, your mum, your brother, the person you're sitting next to on the bus to READ. THIS. BOOK.

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brenreads's review

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dark emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

3.5

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electrickid's review

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challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This changed my brain chemistry, inspiring both my life and clinical practice. A really interesting, thought provoking, and delicately powerful read.

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alyssabookrecs's review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-paced

2.0

It seems I’m in the minority of Storygraph ratings for Being Mortal, and I wish I liked this more. Some moments did shine, but that doesn’t outweigh the constant case study structure. I also wondered about if Gawande could have looked at socioeconomic status and access to medicine/treatment; in here it feels as if the status quo is that everyone has access to palliative and end-of-life care (and good care at that), but that isn’t always the case.

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anushareflects's review

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.75

A profoundly difficult read because it holds up a mirror to what we all will inevitably face - old age, disease, death. It is an extremely powerful work filled with information and language that we need to learn in order to contemplate the decisions that come with our mortality and those of our loved ones. It can be terribly depressing in many parts and the futility of our lives overwhelmed me at times, but it is necessary reading for everyone. Chock full of research, statistics, and empathy, Gawande does a phenomenal job communicating the message.

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rigbylove's review

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emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Such a beautiful book that has already opened a conversation with my aging mother (who is reading it). A must-read for everyone, especially healthcare workers.

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