Title: The Thing About Life is That One Day You’ll Be Dead
Author: David Shields
First published January 1, 2008
225 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780307268044 (ISBN10: 0307268047)
Rating: 3.35
Overview
David Shields’ The Thing About Life is That One Day You’ll Be Dead is a poignant exploration of the human condition, from the moment of birth to the inevitability of death. With firsthand anecdotes about his own experiences and those of his ninety-seven-year-old father, Shields weaves together biological facts, philosophical musings, and cultural history to create a universal portrait of our physical existence.
At times both humorous and unsettling, this book prompts readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and to appreciate its beauty in unexpected ways. With a style reminiscent of Kahlil Gibran, Shields offers a profound and moving meditation on the human journey.
About the Author
Meet David Shields, a prolific author who has written fourteen books, including Reality Hunger which was hailed by over thirty publications as one of the best books of 2010. The New York Times described it as “a mind-bending manifesto” while GQ called it “the most provocative, brain-rewiring book of 2010”.
David’s previous book, The Thing About Life Is That One Day You’ll Be Dead, was also a New York Times bestseller. He’s been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for his book Black Planet: Facing Race During an NBA Season and has won both the PEN/Revson Award for Remote: Reflections on Life in the Shadow of Celebrity and the PEN Syndicated Fiction Award for Dead Languages: A Novel.
David’s essays and stories have been published in various well-known publications such as Harper’s, Slate, and McSweeney’s. His work has been translated into fifteen languages, and he has also written book reviews for the likes of the New York Times Book Review, Los Angeles Times Book Review, Boston Globe, and Philadelphia Inquirer.
Editoral Review
In “The Thing About Life is That One Day You’ll Be Dead,” David Shields grapples with the inevitability of aging and death in a frank and unapologetic way. Published in 2008, Shields’ book is a memoir and philosophical meditation on mortality, one that is both challenging and deeply rewarding for the reader.
The book is written in a unique style that blends memoir, science writing, and philosophical reflection. Shields’ use of collage-style writing, incorporating quotations and research from a wide range of sources, is particularly effective in conveying the universal experience of aging and death.
The book is rich with historical and cultural references that add depth and texture to the narrative. At its core, “The Thing About Life” is a deeply personal book that explores Shields’ own fears and anxieties about death, as well as his relationships with family and friends.
Shields’ writing is both emotional and pragmatic, blending raw vulnerability with scientific research to create a powerful and engaging narrative. Yet the book also has its limitations.
While its frank discussion of death is refreshing, some readers may find that the book focuses too much on Shields’ own experiences and not enough on broader philosophical or scientific questions. Additionally, the collage-style writing may be challenging for some readers, who may find it difficult to follow the narrative thread.
Overall, though, “The Thing About Life is That One Day You’ll Be Dead” is a profound and thought-provoking book that presents an honest and insightful meditation on the human experience of aging and death. Shields’ deft use of collage-style writing creates a unique reading experience that is both challenging and deeply rewarding.
For readers interested in philosophy, memoir, or science writing, “The Thing About Life” is an excellent choice. It is a book that invites readers to confront their own mortality, but does so with compassion and empathy.
Ultimately, it is a book that reminds us of the fragility and preciousness of life, and the importance of living each day to its fullest.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
