Scan barcode
mommaslonglegs's review against another edition
5.0
Easy to understand but difficult to get through (in a good way). While there is some medical jargon it does not affect the readability or overall narrative of the powerful picture Gawande writes. It took me two tries to get through however, because the topic is pretty heavy and obviously applies to everyone. While not really a fun read, definitely a necessary one. Death and dying wouldn't be as scary and often horrific if folks could approach it with the honesty and openness Gawande presents. Would not read again but would for sure recommend.
happylilkt's review against another edition
5.0
Less than 2 years after reading this my father died. This was absolutely the best secular book I read to prepare for that strange, terrible, and sacred experience (nothing could have prepared me). Scripture and poetry and this book.
I don't know what will help as I continue to grieve, but if you haven't read this yet, please consider reading it—and sooner rather than later. Some things are best read before we know we need them.
(And some NYT bestsellers are worthy of the attention. This is one of them.)
I don't know what will help as I continue to grieve, but if you haven't read this yet, please consider reading it—and sooner rather than later. Some things are best read before we know we need them.
(And some NYT bestsellers are worthy of the attention. This is one of them.)
charlypeters's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
An excellent and necessary read about death, dying and how best to manage both in a way that maintains choice and dignity.
logarithmic's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Terminal illness, and Medical content
crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
5.0
Bullet Review:
+ If 2023 taught me anything, American society is woefully inept at dealing with death.
+ By the logic of this book, I’d rather live 5 really good years than 50 years drooling and pissing myself.
+ We all want to die in our sleep - I just hope for us to die swiftly and as painlessly as possible.
+ If 2023 taught me anything, American society is woefully inept at dealing with death.
+ By the logic of this book, I’d rather live 5 really good years than 50 years drooling and pissing myself.
+ We all want to die in our sleep - I just hope for us to die swiftly and as painlessly as possible.
nataliexf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
finally finished this after starting it over a year ago at my dad’s recommendation. having aging parents, a parent who works in hospice and palliative care, a close friend who passed away at age 20 from glioblastoma, and my own paralyzing fear in my younger years of the passage of time and the finality of death allll combined to make this an incredibly difficult read for me. I couldn’t sit down to read this if I was going to leave the house soon because I was always at risk of ending up in tears every time I picked it up again. but I’m so grateful this book exists because it helped me develop a greater respect for my dad’s life’s work and pushed me to think about my own values in a really pivotal time in my life. I always hate when people say “everyone should read x book” but… I think this would be my everyone should read book.
emmalsmits's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
I'm very glad I read this book, and I would encourage everyone I know to read it, too. I don't really understand the reviewers who found this book depressing, because I found it to be beautiful and hopeful. We can do better, and Dr. Gawande presents a clear path forward. We shouldn't view these conversations as scary or depressing, and we shouldn't wait until times of high stress to have them. If we were more comfortable talking about death and what we want for the end of our lives we'd be much better off.