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Original Essays | May 3, 2013

Emily St. John Mandel: IMG The Festivals

2 comments By Emily St. John Mandel

When it happens, it feels like winning the lottery. An email arrives out of the blue, from one of my publishers or a festival director or a member... Continue »
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Mortality

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Mortality Cover

ISBN13: 9781455502752
ISBN10: 1455502758
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Christopher Hitchens was on a book tour for his memoir Hitch-22 when he discovered he had cancer of the esophagus, an episode described with characteristic wit and candor in a series of articles he wrote for Vanity Fair. In these essays, for which Hitchens was given the National Magazine Award, he describes his struggle not only with the disease but with its meaning to his friends and supporters, as well as his critics and detractors.

Both elegant and moving, these columns display insight and bravery, wrote the National Magazine Award judges. Christopher Hitchens is the best writer in the worst of times, and we are grateful for him.

Review:

"Diagnosed with the esophageal cancer to which he eventually succumbed in December 2011, cultural critic Hitchens found himself a finalist in the race of life, and in his typically unflinching and bold manner, he candidly shares his thoughts about his suffering, the etiquette of illness and wellness, and religion in this stark and powerful memoir. Commenting on the persistent metaphor of battle that doctors and friends use to describe his life with cancer (most of this book was published in Vanity Fair), Hitchens mightily challenges this image, for 'when you sit in a room... and kindly people bring a huge transparent bag of poison and plug it into your arm, and you either read or don't read a book while the venom sack gradually empties itself into your system, the image of the ardent soldier is the very last one that will occur to you.' As a result of his various treatments, Hitchens begins to lose his voice, which, given his life as public gadfly through writing and speeches, devastates him. 'What do I hope for? If not a cure, then a remission. And what do I want back? In the most beautiful apposition of two of the simplest words in our language: the freedom of speech.' Hitchens's powerful voice compels us to consider carefully the small measures by which we live every day and to cherish them. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
W S Krauss, January 1, 2013 (view all comments by W S Krauss)
As with all of his writing, Hitchins approaches his own mortality with wit, wisdom and inquisitiveness. He talks about getting diagnosed with "the big C" and being in the hospital. He wonders at the illogical thinking of some who say they will pray for him, others who have bet he will suddenly become a believer in God. He describes having a terminal illness as if he has entered another land, traveling to the world of the sick from the world of the healthy. We, the reader, cannot travel there with him really, but we see glimpses of what he discovers there. I greatly admire Hitchins's writing and he does not falter here. I only wished he had been able to finish the book. The last few pages consist of fragments and notes; he was planning a much longer book when he died unexpectedly. Still, it is a worthwhile read, especially if you, like me, are a fan of his work. A fitting last offering from a fine writer.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781455502752
Author:
Hitchens, Christopher
Publisher:
Twelve
Subject:
Biography - General
Copyright:
2012
Publication Date:
20120931
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Language:
English
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Mortality New Hardcover
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Product details pages Twelve - English 9781455502752 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Diagnosed with the esophageal cancer to which he eventually succumbed in December 2011, cultural critic Hitchens found himself a finalist in the race of life, and in his typically unflinching and bold manner, he candidly shares his thoughts about his suffering, the etiquette of illness and wellness, and religion in this stark and powerful memoir. Commenting on the persistent metaphor of battle that doctors and friends use to describe his life with cancer (most of this book was published in Vanity Fair), Hitchens mightily challenges this image, for 'when you sit in a room... and kindly people bring a huge transparent bag of poison and plug it into your arm, and you either read or don't read a book while the venom sack gradually empties itself into your system, the image of the ardent soldier is the very last one that will occur to you.' As a result of his various treatments, Hitchens begins to lose his voice, which, given his life as public gadfly through writing and speeches, devastates him. 'What do I hope for? If not a cure, then a remission. And what do I want back? In the most beautiful apposition of two of the simplest words in our language: the freedom of speech.' Hitchens's powerful voice compels us to consider carefully the small measures by which we live every day and to cherish them. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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