Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine and what Matters in the End

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Being Mortal blends personal narratives, patient experiences, and medical insights to explore end-of-life care. What were your overall impressions of the book’s approach to this difficult topic? Did anything surprise you? 

2. Gawande presents a compelling case against the modern medical system’s focus on prolonging life at any cost. Do you think his arguments are convincing? Why or why not? 

3. How does Being Mortal compare to other books or media you have encountered on aging, mortality, and healthcare? Were there any aspects of Gawande’s perspective that felt particularly unique or insightful?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Gawande argues that modern medicine often views acknowledging mortality as a failure. Have you ever experienced a situation where discussing death felt taboo or difficult? How did that impact the decisions made in that moment? 

2. The book presents two kinds of courage: the courage to face mortality and the courage to act on that knowledge. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know had to summon one or both of these types of courage? How did it shape the experience?