My grandparents, father, brother, and father-in-law have all been plagued with cancer and entered hospice care. I really wanted to read this book to see it from the hospice doctors and nurses perspective. Rachel was a perfect representation of what can go on. Luckily, for all of us, our loved ones were at one of our homes and never had to enter a hospice center to pass away. My cousin didn't join hospice, she stayed in a unit at her main treatment hospital, and let me tell you, they went above and beyond delivering cookies, snacks, water, tea, coffee, on carts to her room to comfort her loved ones. It was a beautiful outreach that I give the hospital a lot of credit for. Rachel and her teams care for their patients went above and beyond and any family in their care are very blessed. It was very interested reading her going through this with her patients and her father at the same time. She really knew what to do for patients because she was going through the same thing those loved ones were going through. I highly recommend this book to see all sides and what caring for cancer patients (and their loved ones) and really like.

End of life care is absolutely needed but no one wants to talk about or work on. I really found all the work the author has done and written about very enlightening. I wish there was less emphasis on the author's childhood and more on the palliative care.

“Dear Life” is a memoir written by a journalist-turned-doctor who takes us on her journey from working in television through medical school to her stint as a young doctor.

While working in the ER, Dr. Rachel Clarke realizes that practicing medicine should be more focused on the person. She finds that her gift is communicating with patients, and putting them at ease. Especially as they face the end of life. Thus, she makes the smart decision to specialize in palliative care. In this role, she helps those who are dying live their very best life, in the most comfortable way possible.

I enjoyed many sections of this book, particularly the intimate stories she shares of her hospice patients. She also had a strong connection with her father, also a doctor, who succumbed to terminal cancer. Dr. Clarke understands what it’s like to give patients the safe and healing environment. As someone who lost a parent and experienced the benefits of an amazing hospice care team, I was grateful to understand the doctor's perspective. Palliative care specialists help both the patient and families make the best of what's left of precious time. (Personally I'm forever grateful for the experience).

I think I might be even more fond of this memoir if it were a bit shorter with less focus on Rachel's young adult life and her stint in medical school. Her writing was at its best when she spoke of the hospice stories. Overall, I just wish Dear Life was about 3-5 chapters shorter.

This memoir was beautifully written and captures the importance of doctors being trained to deal with death. The author's career in palliative care has been focused on the quality of her patient's lives, not the quantity. I admire her ability to work with patients that are at the end of their lives, as I don't think I would be able to work in such a stressful situation. .

5-star review praising "Dear Life" by Rachel Clarke has been posted at BookBrowse: https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/ref/pr265344

A doctor and daughter’s memoir on dealing with dying and loss. This book shows the importance of treating the person and not the illness. It also shows the community involvement with hospices in being such positive facilities to nurture the dying. The importance of having a compassionate doctor and hospices that entirely encompass the living and dying is pivotal in a society that often does not understand and is fearful of death.

When I began reading this engaging book, I thought the author, Rachel Clarke might have missed her calling because her writing was so remarkable. Just pulls you in and captures you. Then I learned she had been a journalist/writer/documentary creator and well, that explains it.
Ms. Clarke has graced us with both her gifts of storytelling and the world of medicine. That death need not be scary. Her journey is a fascinating read, and I am better for having read it.
Thanks to Rachel's parents for raising such a remarkable human being. Thanks to Rachel for focusing and putting her gifts out in the world. And thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this ARC.