Gratitude

"My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and I have given something in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure."
--Oliver Sacks

No writer has succeeded in capturing the medic...show more

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64 pages

Average rating: 8.75

12 RATINGS

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4 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

ebskane
Jan 08, 2024
8/10 stars
A thoughtful friend recommended I read this book because my mom died recently. It not only gave me some peace but made me reflect on current close relationships, especially those I feel I’ve overlooked these last couple of weeks. Understanding that what we are given is out of our control that we may embrace the things that give us joy can be hard when life feels overwhelming. I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent with my mom and those around me I ...read more
margardenlady
Dec 27, 2023
8/10 stars
This collection of 4 essays written by Sacks late in his life are a testimony to a life well lived and an intellect well used. They are more reflective and less narrative than his earlier works, but thought provoking in their own way.
Anonymous
Dec 04, 2023
8/10 stars
I've had this audiobook on my ipod for some time and decided that I would listen on my commute into work. It's hard to commute when there are tears in your eyes and an ache in your chest.

The audiobook is about 40 minutes long and covers four of Sacks' essays about his mortality. After he was diagnosed with cancer that had metastasized to his liver he began writing these essays.

Mercury is the first one and it's his reflection on turning 80. My Own...read more
E Clou
May 10, 2023
8/10 stars
This is Oliver Sack's goodbye essay and is extremely short - it was originally run in the New York Times, and can be read in under an hour.

The subject of the essay is accepting death, which I'm not sure Sacks actually did. He tries to determine what is essential in the end.

He also discusses the exciting upcoming breakthroughs in science which he is sad he will miss.

I am rubidium-- 37.

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