Tuesday, March 8, 2016

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Good Death: An Exploration of Dying in America; Ann Neumann



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.

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?




57 comments:

  1. This is a subject I have difficulty reading about. Don't think I'll read this one.

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    1. Conversely, I seem to drawn to these type of books lately. I LOVED Being Mortal and When Breath Becomes Air.

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  2. I don't think this one is for me, but thanks for sharing.

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    1. Yes I can understand how many readers would avoid the subject.

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  3. You 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.

    I 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

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  4. Oh I don't think I could read this but I admire you for doing so.

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  5. I hope I'm not the only one, but I want to keep reading. I'm curious as to where this is going.

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    1. Margot, I appreciate books like this, to me it's an important topic.I LOVED Being Mortal and When Breath Becomes Air.

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  6. Death 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

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    1. I love exploring death and dying as well (in books LOL) I need to try the Mitford book you mentioned.

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  7. This sounds compelling. A difficult read though I imagine...no one likes to talk about death.

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  8. This sounds a little heavy for me. So may be not one for my 'to be read' list.

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  9. Hmm, grim subject matter, but interesting nonetheless.

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  10. I 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.

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    1. When Breath Becomes Air was very good (audio) --important topics.

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  11. Painful but necessary info here.

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  12. I am not sure, I would need to see how it ties up with the main point of the book

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  13. This 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.

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  14. I did like your thoughts on Being Mortal, but this beginning is such a downer, I don't know.

    I 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.

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    1. Oh Rita so sorry about your husband, I lost a mother and brother to cancer.

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  15. Great opener, although the subject wouldn't necessarily catch my attention.

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  16. I 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.

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    1. There 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.

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  17. I'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.

    Chippy

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    1. It is definitely not a pleasant topic but, an important one.

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  18. I think you should keep reading---it's a very important subject.

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  19. I'm not too sure about that one either.

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  20. I fear this book wouldn't be for me - although the first paragraph sounds quite interesting.

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  21. I'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!

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    1. No problem Kay - lots of these kinds of books for us aging baby boomers.

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    2. Chiming 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.

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  22. This 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!
    Miss Cellany.

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  23. My 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.

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  24. I 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.

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  25. Diane, 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.

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  26. Definitely sounds like a thought-provoking read! I'm very curious to know what you'll think of it!

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  27. I 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.

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  28. This is one I want to read. This is a subject that definitely needs more discussion.

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