Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where I share the first paragraph sometimes two from a book I am reading or thinking about reading soon -- another NF for me.
The Good Death: An Exploration of Dying in America; Ann Neumann
Beacon Press - 2016
Chapter One
Terminal Restlessness
" I placed the tiny white pill on the US Army spoon my father had used to eat cereal for nearly forty years. From a white plastic bottle, about the size and shape of a small flask, I extracted five drops of pink liquid morphine. I released each drop one by one onto the spoon and used the tip of the dropper to push the Ativan in slow circles until it dissolved. Then I sucked the mixture back up into the dropper. Morphine takes your pain away. Ativan calms you down. I wanted to lick the spoon."
What do you think -- keep reading or pass?
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?
This is a subject I have difficulty reading about. Don't think I'll read this one.
ReplyDeleteConversely, I seem to drawn to these type of books lately. I LOVED Being Mortal and When Breath Becomes Air.
DeleteI don't think this one is for me, but thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes I can understand how many readers would avoid the subject.
DeleteYou are very brave in attempting to read this! I am much too chicken...lol. I can read about this subject, but only if death is turned into a "human being". For instance, I loved reading the script of "The Seventh Seal", years ago. I really should try to see this film. In it, a medieval knight plays chess with Death. I found it utterly fascinating! So it seems I can deal with death in fantasy settings, at least, because it then becomes symbolic, metaphorical.
ReplyDeleteI recommend you read this script, and watch the movie, as well. Bergman was a great writer and filmmaker.
Thanks for sharing!! :)
Here's the Amazon link to "Four Screenplays", by Ingmar Bergman. "The Seventh Seal" is included. I think you might find the movie itself on Netflix.
http://smile.amazon.com/Four-Screenplays-Ingmar-Bergman/dp/0671203533/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457415614&sr=1-9&keywords=ingmar+bergman
Thanks for your recommendation Maria; I appreciate it.
DeleteYou're very welcome, Diane! :)
DeleteOh I don't think I could read this but I admire you for doing so.
ReplyDeleteI understand Cleo.
DeleteI hope I'm not the only one, but I want to keep reading. I'm curious as to where this is going.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I appreciate books like this, to me it's an important topic.I LOVED Being Mortal and When Breath Becomes Air.
DeleteDeath and dying in America is an endlessly fascinating subject, which I first explored in Jessica Mitford's American Way of Death back in the 80s. Adding this one to my list
ReplyDeleteI love exploring death and dying as well (in books LOL) I need to try the Mitford book you mentioned.
DeleteThis sounds compelling. A difficult read though I imagine...no one likes to talk about death.
ReplyDeleteTrue Emma!
DeleteThis sounds a little heavy for me. So may be not one for my 'to be read' list.
ReplyDeleteI understand!
DeleteNot for me.
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable.
DeleteHmm, grim subject matter, but interesting nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteYes, I tend to be drawn to heavier reads.
DeleteI seem to be drawn to these books lately, too. Being Mortal was excellent and I'm next on the hold list for When Breath Becomes Air. This could be another one for the list.
ReplyDeleteWhen Breath Becomes Air was very good (audio) --important topics.
DeletePainful but necessary info here.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteI am not sure, I would need to see how it ties up with the main point of the book
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not a book for everyone.
DeleteThis is a new book to me, and I would read it. This opening makes me want to read more. I really liked Caitlin Doughty's Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, and Being Mortal is on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.
DeleteI did like your thoughts on Being Mortal, but this beginning is such a downer, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI realize it's important to address mortality-- my husband almost died of cancer 2 1/2 years ago, but sometimes I want to take the "hear no evil, see no evil" stance on this subject. Hope you enjoy it when you do read it.
Oh Rita so sorry about your husband, I lost a mother and brother to cancer.
DeleteGreat opener, although the subject wouldn't necessarily catch my attention.
ReplyDeleteI understand.
DeleteI recently added Being Mortal to my list, and this sounds like it falls along similar lines. I look forward to reading your thoughts on this one, Diane. It might be one I want to read.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few books lately on this subject, I guess with all of us aging "baby boomers" the market is ripe for this kind on info.
DeleteI'm not sure about this one - I think I'd have to read a little more of Chapter 1 before I made my mind up.
ReplyDeleteChippy
It is definitely not a pleasant topic but, an important one.
DeleteI think you should keep reading---it's a very important subject.
ReplyDeleteI'm into it right now - good but, heavy info.
DeleteI'm not too sure about that one either.
ReplyDeleteI understand Brian.
DeleteI fear this book wouldn't be for me - although the first paragraph sounds quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes not for every reader.
DeleteI'd continue and will likely look for this book. BEING MORTAL really was wonderful and after losing family members in the last few years, my view about death and dying has altered. I am much more calm about it. Thanks for sharing this one, Diane!
ReplyDeleteNo problem Kay - lots of these kinds of books for us aging baby boomers.
DeleteChiming in here on Kay's comment... I agree. After losing my stepdad a couple of years ago, I'm much more calm about death. I thought Being Mortal was an incredible read (and When Breath Becomes Air was good, but not great). I'm intrigued by this new wave of books about death and dying, so yes, I'd continue reading.
DeleteThis sounds to be a powerful book and I would like to read it - perhaps not just now! It follows a little too closely from, 'We are not Ourselves.' I'm in need of something light-hearted!
ReplyDeleteMiss Cellany.
We are Not Ourselves was such a good (sad) story.
DeleteMy sister is urging me to read Being Mortal. I am not opposed, just haven't taken the time. This one is one both of us will probably read. Thanks for the intro.
ReplyDeleteJudy --yes that was a good one.
DeleteI love that intro and would love to see where it goes from there. You should definitely keep reading, and I'm going to check this one out for myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking this one so far.
DeleteDiane, this is quite a beginning, to what sounds like the end. I will be interested to see what you think of the rest of this book.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good - definitely not light reading though.
DeleteDefinitely sounds like a thought-provoking read! I'm very curious to know what you'll think of it!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a book I would really like to read but one I would have to mentally prepare myself for. Not an easy topic think about or talk about.
ReplyDeleteThis is one I want to read. This is a subject that definitely needs more discussion.
ReplyDelete