Report by Ian Pendleton
This month, the Book Club discussed Paul Kalanithi’s remarkable memoir, When Breath Becomes Air. A young neurosurgeon with a love of literature, Paul is on the brink of completing his training when he is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Members found the book profoundly moving and beautifully written.
Topics discussed included the incredible demands of a medical calling, living the best life, leaving a legacy (whether a baby daughter or a book) and transforming from doctor to patient. The book, not surprisingly, prompted members to share stories from their own lives, triggered by the book’s themes. It was certainly a serious read, but a rewarding one.
Members rated the book an average of 7.5 out of 10, and three-word summaries included ‘Well lived life’, ‘Well worth reading’, and ‘Legacy, commitment, meaning’.
