"Only 0.0012 Percent of people in the world develop lung cancer by the age of 36," Paul Kalanithi is one of them. By the time you read this, he will no longer be alive. In the past, he graduated from Stanford, Cambridge and Yale medical schools. After years of hard training, he was a neurosurgeon with superb medical skills and a bright future; now, he is a patient whose lungs are covered with tumors, becoming increasingly weak and requiring regular chemotherapy. When the end of his life suddenly came, and when he had the opportunity to re-examine his soul, he began to review and record his life as a doctor and a patient, exploring medicine and ethics, family and love, and why people are worth living. As the body gradually fails, the soul becomes stronger and stronger. On the way to the end of his life, Paul created a new future and gave the ultimate answer to life - "I cannot move forward. I will still move forward."
Reader comments
This book moved me very much. I admire the strength and courage of the author Paul. I am inspired by his persistence in exploring the meaning of life even when facing a terminal illness. The characters in the book have distinctive personalities and unique experiences. We may all encounter difficulties, but if we face them positively like Paul, we may create a different future. This book makes me appreciate my current life more and makes me understand that no matter what I encounter, I must move forward firmly.
A genius doctor with a bright future cannot control his own life and death
The "building" that was about to be completed suddenly collapsed when the disease came to visit.
Death, due to illness or accident, no one is immune, but it will be sooner or later
When death approaches, the money, status, pleasure, etc. That you desperately pursued during your lifetime will all disappear in an instant, including life, which you cannot grasp.
So, what is the most important thing when you are alive?
Paul is a neurosurgeon who contends with major diseases. He faces life and death every day, but he is also a cancer patient. This allows him to look at cancer objectively from the perspective of a doctor. Although he also experiences fear and pain, he shows more tenacity and tenacity. In the last stage of his life, he still chose to stick to his dream and return to the operating table to save more seriously ill patients. He also left his love and hope to his wife and daughter in the last stage of his life. He said his final farewell to this world with a calm and grateful heart. His words can really heal people's hearts, allowing us who cannot change the length of our lives to live every day of the rest of our lives well, making the width of our lives more meaningful.
A book recommended by a friend. I originally wanted to get closer through this book, but in the end I lost contact. None of the messages I sent to her were answered, and I gradually stopped thinking about her. It also reflects the ending of the book. Regret and death are the most terrible things, but they cannot defeat people's faith and pursuit!
I haven't finished it yet, not even the first chapter, but I can't wait to give it a five-star review. I have had many emotional resonances in the words I have read. When I mentioned that I would be able to usher in the future I imagined after I finish my residency in one year, my mind suddenly connected with Lu Yang from "It Snowed in His Heart". Paul worked as a resident under a strict teacher, and Lu Yang also studied under a strict teacher. Then I saw my mother hoping that her son would become a successful child. I think all children in East Asia would resonate with her. Then I read that Paul loved reading, and I thought it was really an excellent hobby. I am also trying to develop this hobby now. I love reading, but I love all kinds of novels (referring to online novels), but it is always a headache to read classics, let alone professional-related books. I think that only by reading many, many books can you make decisions for your future. I am a woman who wants to live alone without getting married and having children, and I think this decision should be made after a lot of reading to ensure that I am rational enough and strong enough to make a choice that I will not regret.
This is a book about life, farewell, touching, warmth, bravery, healing, family love, love, friendship and the true feelings between doctors and patients. "In today's world, information is exploding. We are often drowned in screens, our eyes fixed on the buzzing rectangular luminous object in our hands, and we are always paying attention to those fragmented things." These are the words in the preface, but it is through this small screen that I feel the gift from Paul. Not only Paul, but also other people's words in this book are equally moving. My writing is poor, so please forgive me for not being able to post a long comment.
My father-in-law had lung cancer. On October 27, 2024, one lobe of the lung was removed. The reexamination on March 8, 2025 showed that everything was normal. The reexamination on May 20 showed a new 1cm nodule, which was suspected of recurrence. The doctor told me to wait until July and then do a CT reexamination.
If I got cancer at this age, would I be able to face it so calmly? Maybe I will be depressed every day. If the remaining time is enough for me to accept the reality, I can wake up and enjoy myself in time... I have never understood the meaning of life since I was a child. I looked at the coffin in the hall and cried and asked why I was born if I was going to die? Even now I am still confused, but maybe this problem requires me to pursue it all my life. It is better to let it go first, do the things in front of me, and love the people in front of me. Those things that I thought were a waste of time may be the most important things.
This spring, a close relative of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer.
This was definitely a bolt from the blue for me. I cried every night, unable to restrain myself from imagining the ending that might befall us one day. I wanted to hold the bond between us tighter, even if I ended up drifting away to the sky with her.
I opened this book by chance. In the process of reading, I kept asking myself a question - or, in other words, a reminder: What can this book bring me? What does it want to teach me?
Paul could cry, be vulnerable, and confused because of the tragedy, but he could also start the journey of finding his own value because of the "ending". Returning to the operating table, looking for answers in literature, and welcoming the continuation of life with my loved one... What about me? Is it possible to be like him?
Maybe I will never be able to be as calm as "singing with a drum", but as the postscript says: Who is not afraid of death?
Tomorrow is too far away, but at least today, let me bring you some more happiness.
Although it is the last words left by a neurosurgeon after he was diagnosed with cancer, after reading the whole book, it is not sensational at all. My eyes turned red when I saw the postscript written by his wife Lucy at the back of the book...
A very good book that made me understand the meaning of life
When I first read it, I felt angry. A person who worked so hard, had a clear plan for his life and was about to enjoy it, was diagnosed with cancer. However, he did not pretend to be strong, but asked himself what was the most meaningful thing to do in the days to come. He still chose to return to the operating room and continue to be a mentor who guides patients.
A book that is not finished in a sense also proves the impermanence of life. You don't know which one will come first, tomorrow or the accident. Cherish the present, and what you have is the best. If you look at life and death with a calm attitude, we may be able to understand more.
Cherish every day of your life
The personal experience of facing death. What could be more convincing than this? So cherish your life, truly understand death, and then come back to find out how to live!
Death is everyone's destiny. The living are passers-by, and the dead are returning to the dust. Heaven and earth travel against each other, sharing the sorrow of the eternal dust. When my body is strong, when my breath becomes air.
Dear readers, if you love humans, you can read
Death is a part of life, the last step of life, not something terrible independent of life. After reading this book, in addition to feeling sorry and sad about Paul's life, I feel and realize this last step more clearly. Before this inevitable step, I am more eager to do something.
A very good book. Through the author's personal experience, we ordinary people can understand how to correctly face unexpected events and how to face death.
Worth watching, great content
What is the meaning of life? The author has worked hard for so long, but was disrupted by a sudden accident. At that time, his mood was extremely broken.
Life is impermanent, but we have to find meaning in this impermanence
Look at life from a doctor's perspective.
I cried a lot after reading it. Every time I'm deeply hit, I find a book, read it, and then cry secretly. Thank you, Paul, for making me feel that life is really meaningful.
Live in the present, find what is really important, and just do it. We are all mortal, but I hope we can all live our lives.
This is a book about death.
It's not enough to watch, I want to watch it several times! 🤩
Very good. After watching it for a while, you can understand it.
The writing is particularly in-depth, with bones, flesh and essence.
This book moved me very much. I admire the strength and courage of the author Paul. I am inspired by his persistence in exploring the meaning of life even when facing a terminal illness. The characters in the book have distinctive personalities and unique experiences. We may all encounter difficulties, but if we face them positively like Paul, we may create a different future. This book makes me appreciate my current life more and makes me understand that no matter what I encounter, I must move forward firmly.
A genius doctor with a bright future cannot control his own life and death The "building" that was about to be completed suddenly collapsed when the disease came to visit. Death, due to illness or accident, no one is immune, but it will be sooner or later When death approaches, the money, status, pleasure, etc. That you desperately pursued during your lifetime will all disappear in an instant, including life, which you cannot grasp. So, what is the most important thing when you are alive?
Paul is a neurosurgeon who contends with major diseases. He faces life and death every day, but he is also a cancer patient. This allows him to look at cancer objectively from the perspective of a doctor. Although he also experiences fear and pain, he shows more tenacity and tenacity. In the last stage of his life, he still chose to stick to his dream and return to the operating table to save more seriously ill patients. He also left his love and hope to his wife and daughter in the last stage of his life. He said his final farewell to this world with a calm and grateful heart. His words can really heal people's hearts, allowing us who cannot change the length of our lives to live every day of the rest of our lives well, making the width of our lives more meaningful.
A book recommended by a friend. I originally wanted to get closer through this book, but in the end I lost contact. None of the messages I sent to her were answered, and I gradually stopped thinking about her. It also reflects the ending of the book. Regret and death are the most terrible things, but they cannot defeat people's faith and pursuit!
I haven't finished it yet, not even the first chapter, but I can't wait to give it a five-star review. I have had many emotional resonances in the words I have read. When I mentioned that I would be able to usher in the future I imagined after I finish my residency in one year, my mind suddenly connected with Lu Yang from "It Snowed in His Heart". Paul worked as a resident under a strict teacher, and Lu Yang also studied under a strict teacher. Then I saw my mother hoping that her son would become a successful child. I think all children in East Asia would resonate with her. Then I read that Paul loved reading, and I thought it was really an excellent hobby. I am also trying to develop this hobby now. I love reading, but I love all kinds of novels (referring to online novels), but it is always a headache to read classics, let alone professional-related books. I think that only by reading many, many books can you make decisions for your future. I am a woman who wants to live alone without getting married and having children, and I think this decision should be made after a lot of reading to ensure that I am rational enough and strong enough to make a choice that I will not regret.
This is a book about life, farewell, touching, warmth, bravery, healing, family love, love, friendship and the true feelings between doctors and patients. "In today's world, information is exploding. We are often drowned in screens, our eyes fixed on the buzzing rectangular luminous object in our hands, and we are always paying attention to those fragmented things." These are the words in the preface, but it is through this small screen that I feel the gift from Paul. Not only Paul, but also other people's words in this book are equally moving. My writing is poor, so please forgive me for not being able to post a long comment.
My father-in-law had lung cancer. On October 27, 2024, one lobe of the lung was removed. The reexamination on March 8, 2025 showed that everything was normal. The reexamination on May 20 showed a new 1cm nodule, which was suspected of recurrence. The doctor told me to wait until July and then do a CT reexamination.
If I got cancer at this age, would I be able to face it so calmly? Maybe I will be depressed every day. If the remaining time is enough for me to accept the reality, I can wake up and enjoy myself in time... I have never understood the meaning of life since I was a child. I looked at the coffin in the hall and cried and asked why I was born if I was going to die? Even now I am still confused, but maybe this problem requires me to pursue it all my life. It is better to let it go first, do the things in front of me, and love the people in front of me. Those things that I thought were a waste of time may be the most important things.
This spring, a close relative of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was definitely a bolt from the blue for me. I cried every night, unable to restrain myself from imagining the ending that might befall us one day. I wanted to hold the bond between us tighter, even if I ended up drifting away to the sky with her. I opened this book by chance. In the process of reading, I kept asking myself a question - or, in other words, a reminder: What can this book bring me? What does it want to teach me? Paul could cry, be vulnerable, and confused because of the tragedy, but he could also start the journey of finding his own value because of the "ending". Returning to the operating table, looking for answers in literature, and welcoming the continuation of life with my loved one... What about me? Is it possible to be like him? Maybe I will never be able to be as calm as "singing with a drum", but as the postscript says: Who is not afraid of death? Tomorrow is too far away, but at least today, let me bring you some more happiness.
Although it is the last words left by a neurosurgeon after he was diagnosed with cancer, after reading the whole book, it is not sensational at all. My eyes turned red when I saw the postscript written by his wife Lucy at the back of the book...
A very good book that made me understand the meaning of life
When I first read it, I felt angry. A person who worked so hard, had a clear plan for his life and was about to enjoy it, was diagnosed with cancer. However, he did not pretend to be strong, but asked himself what was the most meaningful thing to do in the days to come. He still chose to return to the operating room and continue to be a mentor who guides patients.
A book that is not finished in a sense also proves the impermanence of life. You don't know which one will come first, tomorrow or the accident. Cherish the present, and what you have is the best. If you look at life and death with a calm attitude, we may be able to understand more.
Cherish every day of your life
The personal experience of facing death. What could be more convincing than this? So cherish your life, truly understand death, and then come back to find out how to live!
Death is everyone's destiny. The living are passers-by, and the dead are returning to the dust. Heaven and earth travel against each other, sharing the sorrow of the eternal dust. When my body is strong, when my breath becomes air.
Dear readers, if you love humans, you can read
Death is a part of life, the last step of life, not something terrible independent of life. After reading this book, in addition to feeling sorry and sad about Paul's life, I feel and realize this last step more clearly. Before this inevitable step, I am more eager to do something.
A very good book. Through the author's personal experience, we ordinary people can understand how to correctly face unexpected events and how to face death.
Worth watching, great content
What is the meaning of life? The author has worked hard for so long, but was disrupted by a sudden accident. At that time, his mood was extremely broken.
Life is impermanent, but we have to find meaning in this impermanence
Look at life from a doctor's perspective.
I cried a lot after reading it. Every time I'm deeply hit, I find a book, read it, and then cry secretly. Thank you, Paul, for making me feel that life is really meaningful.
Live in the present, find what is really important, and just do it. We are all mortal, but I hope we can all live our lives.
This is a book about death.
It's not enough to watch, I want to watch it several times! 🤩
Very good. After watching it for a while, you can understand it.
The writing is particularly in-depth, with bones, flesh and essence.