When Breath Becomes Air

A summary of the book by Paul Kalanithi

“When Breath Becomes Air” is a memoir written by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the age of 36. The book is a poignant reflection on life, death, and what makes life worth living.

Chapter 1: In this chapter, Paul Kalanithi introduces himself as a neurosurgeon with a love of literature. He reflects on his passion for both medicine and writing, and how they both strive to make sense of the human experience.

Chapter 2: Kalanithi discusses his childhood growing up in Arizona, his relationship with his Indian immigrant parents, and his early interests in literature and science.

Chapter 3: Kalanithi shares his experiences as a student at Stanford University, where he studied English literature and biology, and as a medical student at Yale. He reflects on the complexities of being a physician and the impact it can have on one’s personal life.

Chapter 4: Kalanithi begins his neurosurgical residency at Stanford and experiences the joys and challenges of practicing medicine. He also meets his future wife, Lucy, who is also a physician.

Chapter 5: Kalanithi shares his diagnosis with stage IV lung cancer, which he receives just months before completing his residency. He…