A review by nomonbooks
The Selfless Act of Breathing by J.J. Bola

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

This book is stunning. You can tell from the title that the writing is going to be a lyrical beauty and it did not disappoint. It is a serious and heavy book but also with the specific levity of utter relatability in both being a Londoner, and being a Londoner who has visited the US (San Francisco in particular for me). 

This book is about Michael, who at the very beginning decides to withdraw all his money, travel to the US and when his money runs out commit suicide. It follows his time in the US alongside flashbacks to his time back in London where he works as a teacher so that by the end of the book you understand how and why he began this journey. It’s utterly heart-breaking alongside being a joy to read and each character is fully realised and clearly driven by their own motives, personality, and goals – and you see that from Michael’s specific point of view. I can’t express how much it felt like I knew all of these people by the end of the book. It made me want to contact my friends and check if they are okay instead of being miffed that they haven’t got back to me. 

There are some really beautiful and poignant moments in the book and I completely believed the narrative. It blew me away. Also the cover art is so gorgeous. The title is gorgeous. The contents did not disappoint. I wish I could read this again for the first time. 

Thanks to Netgalley and DialogueBooks for the ARC! 

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