Being Mortal - BookWyrm

B. Zelkovich reviewed Being Mortal by ATUL GAWANDE

Review of 'Being Mortal' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I'll be honest, this is not a book I'd have ever picked up for myself. I read it as part of a work book club, and was kind of dreading it. It just didn't sound interesting, like something I'd read.

I was wrong. I loved this book. I loved its compassion, its frankness, and how much it set my mind churning over how we live our lives in our twilight years and what we truly want out of our final days.

I'll be recommending it widely, to anyone like me who has avoided it.

Eduardo Santiago reviewed Being Mortal by ATUL GAWANDE

Review of 'Being Mortal' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Even if you think you’re up on end-of-life issues (ethics, logistics, medical questions), or even if you’re young-and-healthy and don’t think this matters to you ... there’s something in here for you to learn.

First, it’s Gawande. I always learn from Gawande and always enjoy myself in the process. I bet you do too.

Second, there is important new material here. On perspective, on the history and current best practices in assisted-living facilities, on geriatric research and the sad dearth thereof. Even if you or I don’t need this material right now, we can be better informed and speak to policymakers when opportunities arise.

Finally, there is a delicate personal component to this book, Gawande’s story and others’, which I found powerful and humbling. I think we WEIRDs could learn much from looking at aging instead of averting our eyes, and this book offers a gentle way to start doing …

Even if you think you’re up on end-of-life issues (ethics, logistics, medical questions), or even if you’re young-and-healthy and don’t think this matters to you ... there’s something in here for you to learn.

First, it’s Gawande. I always learn from Gawande and always enjoy myself in the process. I bet you do too.

Second, there is important new material here. On perspective, on the history and current best practices in assisted-living facilities, on geriatric research and the sad dearth thereof. Even if you or I don’t need this material right now, we can be better informed and speak to policymakers when opportunities arise.

Finally, there is a delicate personal component to this book, Gawande’s story and others’, which I found powerful and humbling. I think we WEIRDs could learn much from looking at aging instead of averting our eyes, and this book offers a gentle way to start doing so.

Rahul Matthan

rated it

March 24, 2018

Jero

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alexcurtin

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Sept. 24, 2018

Lucas

rated it

Aug. 3, 2023