Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End

by Atul Gawande
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End cover
Good Books rating 4.42
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  • ID: 941
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781250081247
  • Publisher: Picador
  • Published: 2015-09-01
  • Formats: 21
  • Reviews: 4

In 'Being Mortal,' Atul Gawande delves into the complexities of aging and end-of-life care, highlighting the disconnect between medical capabilities and patient desires. Through poignant stories and extensive research, he exposes the shortcomings of the healthcare system in providing compassionate and meaningful care for the elderly. The book challenges the status quo and advocates for a more patient-centered approach to mortality. Gawande's personal experiences with his own family's struggles with aging and death add a deeply human element to the discussion. He critiques the over-medicalization of the end-of-life process and calls for a shift towards prioritizing quality of life and patient autonomy. This thought-provoking work offers a compelling argument for rethinking how we approach the inevitable realities of aging and death.

Reviews
Medium · 'Tosin Adeoti · 2025-10-18
poignant 4.50

The reviewer finds the book to be a poignant reminder of the naturalness of death and the importance of how we face it.

This Medium review reflects on the book's exploration of death as a natural part of life. The reviewer appreciates Gawande's ability to address this sensitive topic with grace and thoughtfulness, making the book a meaningful read.

Quick quotes

    It's a poignant reminder that death is not the end, but a natural part of the human experience — and how we choose to face it defines the ...

    The book's exploration of death as a natural part of life.

    Gawande's ability to address this sensitive topic with grace and thoughtfulness.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
enlightening 4.50

Atul Gawande's 'Being Mortal' explores the challenges of modern medicine in dealing with mortality, highlighting the importance of compassion and honest communication between doctors and patients. The book is praised for its clear and illuminating style, which makes complex medical facts accessible and thought-provoking.

Atul Gawande's 'Being Mortal' is a profound exploration of the limitations of modern medicine in the face of mortality. The book begins with Gawande's personal journey from a confident medical student to a surgeon who understands the importance of helping patients deal with what medicine cannot cure. Through vivid anecdotes and clear explanations, Gawande illustrates how doctors often struggle to acknowledge the inevitability of death and the need for honest conversations about end-of-life care. The book's thorough examination of the aging process and the decay of the body is both sobering and enlightening. Gawande's writing is praised for its ability to make complex medical facts accessible and thought-provoking, making 'Being Mortal' a valuable read for anyone interested in the intersection of medicine and human life.

Quick quotes

    I never expected that among the most meaningful experiences I’d have as a doctor — and, really, as a human being — would come from helping others deal with what medicine cannot do as well as what it can.

    He was pursuing little more than a fantasy at the risk of a prolonged and terrible death — which was precisely what he got.

    According to 'Being Mortal,' none of these factors do much to slow the march of time.

Sarah Writes About Stuff · Sarah · 2017-12-03
informative 4.50

The book is both informative and engaging, offering a wealth of concrete examples and research to support its arguments. It provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and ethical dilemmas surrounding end-of-life care.

The reviewer found the book to be very interesting and informative, appreciating the numerous real-life examples and research references that Gawande includes. They note that the book effectively highlights both the good and bad aspects of current medical practices, providing a balanced view. The reviewer also commends Gawande for his clear and compassionate writing style, which makes a heavy topic more accessible and thought-provoking. They believe the book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand the complexities of end-of-life care.

Quick quotes

    I found this book very interesting and informative. There's lots of concrete examples both good and bad, references to relevant research and ...

    Gawande's writing is clear and compassionate, making a heavy topic more accessible.

    The book provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and ethical dilemmas surrounding end-of-life care.

The New York Times · Janice P. Nimura · 2014-11-06
profound 4.20

The book is a personal and profound meditation on how we can better live with age-related frailty and approaching death. It emphasizes the importance of open communication and patient autonomy in end-of-life decisions.

The reviewer describes the book as a poignant and personal exploration of the challenges and emotions associated with aging and dying. They highlight Gawande's ability to blend personal anecdotes with medical insights, creating a compelling narrative that resonates on both an emotional and intellectual level. The reviewer particularly appreciates the book's focus on the need for better communication between doctors and patients, arguing that this is crucial for making informed and dignified end-of-life choices. They also note that the book is a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that how we face it defines our humanity.

Quick quotes

    His new book, 'Being Mortal,' is a personal meditation on how we can better live with age-related frailty, serious illness and approaching death.

    The book emphasizes the importance of open communication and patient autonomy in end-of-life decisions.

    Death is not the end, but a natural part of the human experience — and how we choose to face it defines the kind of human beings we are.

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