Talking about death or dying are avoided on the account of being sad topics. Or perhaps we avoid it because we don't know much about it. I wonder if we thought and spoke about it more openly, pragmatically it would lead us to live a happier, more meaningful life.In “When Breath Becomes Air” Paul Kalanithi attempts to find the meaning of life through understanding death. I like to think he would have written this book, much later in his life. That's what he talks about in his opening chapter. That pursuit of meaning of life and learning about death was his life quest, that he thought studying literature was where he finds the answer but then he realized being a doctor may lead to a better understanding of life and death. His story is sprinkled with irony, as he writes about his life as a doctor and as a patient. He doesn't approve of using stats as a doctor to tell patients something like, "you have six more months to live."; yet he is curious about the number of months left of his own life when talking to his oncologist. So, did I learn more about death after I turned the last page of this book, I certainly did not. But, what this book taught me was it's good to stay curious about it, even in perfect health.
Bryn Greenwood has crafted a very complicated, and interesting character, Wavonna Quinn. Greenwood has also developed supporting characters whose behaviors and actions define Wavonna. A drug dealer father and drug user mother are very unfortunate role models and caregivers. Despite the parents abusive and neglecting behavior Wavonna grows up, finding ways to survive and care for her baby brother, Donal.
In the eye of those who meet Wavonna she is a girl who doesn't talk and eat. But behind this facade there's a person with depth, kindness, and intelligence.
Greenwood is thorough, and consistent, the result is: a story that is believable.
Many reviews of the book glorify it as a "love story". This is true.
It is a love story of two outcasts, Wavy and Kellen, who could not be any more different in social and cultural status. These two are different, yet deeply care for each other so much that they are prepared to let go of each other for the sake of "well-being" of the other.
Greenwood, however, chooses to end their love story on a happy note and she does it pragmatically.
Along the way, there are people whose wrong judgement make Wavy's and Kellen's, and consequently little Donal's life very difficult, (grinding teeth, and knot in the stomach chapters). But they are proven wrong (Yay!).
It has been a few weeks since I finished reading, but I still think about it.
Quotes that really made the book stand out for me are:
Wavy: "Nothing belongs to you"
Wavy: "I am as real as you are. My family is real like your family."
I really liked this book! The only dilemma I have is Wavy being a minor when the two became intimate. Why has Greenwood made this choice is beyond me.
