Review of Dying Well
Posted: 09 Dec 2022, 02:00
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dying Well" by Susan Ducharme Hoben.]
Susan Ducharme Hoben's memoir, Dying Well is a work of memoir with a different type of happy ending, one that is full of brightness even in the middle of darkness. There are many heartbreaks and tears in this book. It is a story that embodies both courage and hope; it is a memoir that genuinely exudes optimism.
There is a 5% chance that Bruce, Susan's husband, will survive his esophageal cancer diagnosis. After Susan's heart tumor recovery is complete, she learns the news. She recalls the heart tumor and her battle with cancer. Even while she was hospitalized, Bruce used to care for her. After Susan had recovered, the two enjoyed a celebration. Bruce's cancer has spread. To save Bruce, the physicians employed every technique they could.
This book offers a model for how to confront death in the best possible way. The author notes in the preface that she has had many privileges that have allowed her to take this calm approach, adding that she considers herself to be quite fortunate. Not everyone has the means or the foresight to plan their quiet demise. I felt throughout the book that I wanted more people to be able to prepare for death in the way that the author and her husband were able to, although she doesn't go into detail about comparing her experience to others.
This book is quite well written, and the tale is captivating. I give this book a perfect 5 out of 5. Despite knowing what the ending would be, I was held captive from the start. Even though I work as a nurse and am quite familiar with dying on a personal and professional level, I found this book to be enlightening. It also caught my attention as a love story because it was evident that the couple was madly in love with one another and their shared existence. It had its humorous and immensely sorrowful moments, but it also maintained hope throughout. This book is well-written, comprehensive, and descriptive.
This is a great book for anyone who is contemplating the end of their life or is going through it with a loved one. Given the wealth of knowledge about living life to the fullest before death calls, it is also a fantastic read for just about any other adult reader. There was nothing to hate in this book. The editing was carefully done, leaving no room for errors.
******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Susan Ducharme Hoben's memoir, Dying Well is a work of memoir with a different type of happy ending, one that is full of brightness even in the middle of darkness. There are many heartbreaks and tears in this book. It is a story that embodies both courage and hope; it is a memoir that genuinely exudes optimism.
There is a 5% chance that Bruce, Susan's husband, will survive his esophageal cancer diagnosis. After Susan's heart tumor recovery is complete, she learns the news. She recalls the heart tumor and her battle with cancer. Even while she was hospitalized, Bruce used to care for her. After Susan had recovered, the two enjoyed a celebration. Bruce's cancer has spread. To save Bruce, the physicians employed every technique they could.
This book offers a model for how to confront death in the best possible way. The author notes in the preface that she has had many privileges that have allowed her to take this calm approach, adding that she considers herself to be quite fortunate. Not everyone has the means or the foresight to plan their quiet demise. I felt throughout the book that I wanted more people to be able to prepare for death in the way that the author and her husband were able to, although she doesn't go into detail about comparing her experience to others.
This book is quite well written, and the tale is captivating. I give this book a perfect 5 out of 5. Despite knowing what the ending would be, I was held captive from the start. Even though I work as a nurse and am quite familiar with dying on a personal and professional level, I found this book to be enlightening. It also caught my attention as a love story because it was evident that the couple was madly in love with one another and their shared existence. It had its humorous and immensely sorrowful moments, but it also maintained hope throughout. This book is well-written, comprehensive, and descriptive.
This is a great book for anyone who is contemplating the end of their life or is going through it with a loved one. Given the wealth of knowledge about living life to the fullest before death calls, it is also a fantastic read for just about any other adult reader. There was nothing to hate in this book. The editing was carefully done, leaving no room for errors.
******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes