Richard John Neuhaus's "As I Lay Dying" is a beautifully crafted memoir that details the author's encounter with death. The book is written with grace and elegance, making it a pleasure to read.

Neuhaus's account is often compelling, drawing the reader in and holding their attention. However, his narrative does meander at times, moving between theology, philosophy, and literature. This can make his search for understanding seem somewhat diffuse.

Despite this, Neuhaus does offer an intimate look at the journey of a believer. He shares his thoughts, feelings, and experiences with honesty and vulnerability, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to face death with faith.

Overall, "As I Lay Dying" is a thought-provoking and engaging memoir that offers valuable insights into the human experience of death and dying.

This is a book that I will definitely re-read.

To me, it contains numerous actually quite funny moments. However, it is also extremely comforting as Neuhaus vividly talks about his close encounter with death.

Surprisingly, it is not at all weird. Instead, it is highly illuminating and makes one deeply thoughtful.

"Everything is ready now." This simple sentence seems to carry a profound meaning, as if it is a conclusion drawn from Neuhaus's life experience and a hint for us to reflect on our own lives.

The book as a whole offers a unique perspective on life and death, and I believe that each time I read it, I will gain new insights and a deeper understanding of these fundamental aspects of our existence.

I gave this 5 stars, because while it does not deserve 5, it certainly deserves a higher overall rating than what it currently has. I would say, a solid 4.5.

I do not agree with everything in this book. At times, it feels like Neuhaus is rambling. On occasion, I am reminded of an old man shaking his fist at the sky. All is filtered through the lens of his Catholic faith. I stress to other heathens like myself to keep an open mind and not dismiss it out of hand because of his conservative ideas and beliefs.

For whatever ideological faults I may find with this text, it is moving and beautifully written. There are turns of phrase that force me to pause, accountings that have me tingling with wonder, and ruminations that cry for a rearrangement of thought. I would not go so far as to call this book perfect, but you get the feeling that it is earnest, heartfelt, and in some ways, urgent. Besides that, for whatever faults or disagreements I find, I also find that I could not put it down. In fact, I could not even sleep until I had turned the final page. It is a rare book that demands that of me, and it is for that reason it has earned such high praise.

This book, despite its flaws, has a certain charm and power. It makes you think, feel, and question. It challenges your assumptions and broadens your perspective. It is a work that engages the reader on multiple levels and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you agree with Neuhaus or not, you cannot deny the impact that this book has had on you. It is a testament to the power of words and the importance of literature in our lives.

This review presents an interesting perspective with some good points.

It starts by acknowledging that the work in question is interesting to a certain extent, but there is a hint of doubt as to whether it is interesting enough to merit a re-read.

The reviewer gives it a rating of most likely 3.5 stars, but decides to round up.

The reason for this rounding up is the deep contemplation that the reviewer anticipates having on some of the author's points.

This shows that although the overall experience may not have been completely captivating, there are aspects of the work that have managed to engage the reviewer on a deeper level.

It also implies that the author has made some thought-provoking arguments or presented ideas that are worthy of further consideration.

Overall, this review provides a balanced assessment of the work, highlighting both its strengths and areas where it may fall short in terms of pure entertainment value.

The article is extremely well written and is of a very philosophical nature.

However, it is not the type of NDE (Near-Death Experience) book that I was in search of.

It seems to explore deeper philosophical concepts rather than focusing specifically on the details and accounts of near-death experiences.

Perhaps for those interested in philosophical musings and profound thoughts, this book would be a great read.

But for someone like me, who was specifically looking for a book that delved into the fascinating world of NDEs, it fell short of my expectations.

Nevertheless, the quality of the writing cannot be denied, and it may still hold value for others with different interests.

Overall, it is a well-written piece that just didn't meet my specific requirements for an NDE book.

An interesting book caught my attention. I was filled with curiosity about his Near-Death Experience (NDE) and what profound insights he had to share about it. The concept of an NDE has always been a fascinating topic, and I couldn't wait to delve into the details. As I started reading, I was immediately drawn into his account. He described the vivid and otherworldly sensations he experienced during that moment. It was as if he had stepped into a different realm, one that was both mysterious and enlightening. His words painted a picture that left me in awe. I found myself completely immersed in his story, eager to learn more about what happened to him and how it had changed his perspective on life. This book truly opened my eyes to the possibilities that lie beyond our physical existence.

As I lay there, my thoughts churning like a stormy sea, Neuhaus, who was once a Lutheran pastor from Canada and had long since become a Roman Catholic theologian, an advisor to bishops, and a circumscriptor of the public square, shared his intimate experience with death in this small book.

He starts with words that are truly meant to be lived by: "We are born to die. It's not that death is the purpose of our birth, but rather we are born with death as our destination, and in each of our lives, the process of dying has already begun. The task of dying well is, for the most part, the task of living well." And, since the end is also the beginning, he discovers that "... Every day is a good day to be born; every day is a good day to die. Everything is now ready."

Neuhaus has since passed away due to a recurrence of the cancer that inspired this meditation, but he left this mark and others - just as we all would - for the living to pause and reflect upon and then carry forward. For some, that mark might be to inscribe "Kilroy was here." For others, the inscription could read "Love conquers all."

His words and his experience serve as a reminder to us all that life is precious and that we should strive to live it well, while also being prepared for the inevitable end.

This book is a collection of profound reflections penned by a highly regarded theologian and author.

He steps away from his typical analytical stance and instead offers us an extremely personal account of his battle with cancer and his near encounter with death.

Drawing upon his entire life as a parish priest and a dedicated student of literature and theology, he shares his innermost thoughts and emotions.

Surprisingly, I initially found the book to be somewhat depressing. It was a heavy read that delved deep into the darkness of his experience.

However, upon finishing the book, I am glad that I persevered.

For within its pages, there are valuable insights that can benefit all of us when we eventually face our own mortality.

It forces us to confront our fears, question our beliefs, and ultimately find meaning and hope in the face of death.

This book is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to engage with the difficult topics it presents, it can be a truly transformative read.

Outstanding!

This description is truly remarkable. The person being described is gentle, which implies a kind and soft nature. They are also thoughtful, showing a deep consideration for others and the world around them.

What's more, they have nothing to prove. This suggests a sense of self-assurance and confidence that doesn't rely on external validation. Instead, they are content with who they are and what they know.

Despite this, they are insightful and encouraging. Their wisdom and understanding allow them to offer valuable perspectives and support to those around them. And yet, they retain the mystery of death and dying. This adds an element of intrigue and depth to their character, making them all the more fascinating.

Overall, this is a truly outstanding individual, one who combines kindness, wisdom, and mystery in a unique and captivating way.

I often find myself having a rather strange and vivid feeling. It's as if I am like a wet seed, wild and unrestrained, existing in the hot and blind earth. The image that comes to my mind is that of a tiny seed, soaked with moisture, yet full of potential and vitality. In this hot and seemingly chaotic environment, it struggles to break free and grow. The earth, which is blind to its existence, provides both a challenge and a nurturing ground. It's a place where the seed has to fight against the odds, using its inner strength to push through the darkness and reach for the light. This feeling makes me think about the various stages of our lives, where we too might find ourselves in difficult and unknown situations, but still have the ability to grow and thrive like that wet seed in the hot blind earth.

I originally read this in March 2010. It was sitting on my bookshelf all those years. Then, in 2024, after my open heart surgery, cardiac ablation, and various other 'medical adventures' in a local emergency room, I decided to pick it up again.

Surprisingly, it was even more interesting and insightful the second time around. Although it briefly touches on a near-death experience, that's not the main focus of the book. Instead, it's about the author coming to terms with his own mortality through the insights of novelists, patients, friends, philosophers, and others, both from the past and, of course, his own illness.

I really enjoyed his honesty and unique writing style. If you read it, you're likely to come away with a deeper understanding of life and your own inevitable death. Or, you could choose not to read it and deal with those thoughts later. It's entirely your choice.

It was truly not what I had anticipated at all.

He bounces around here and there, and it seems to be a "little random stream of consciousness."

There are indeed a few good lines within it, but perhaps they are just a bit too profound or complex for me to fully understand.

It's as if his thoughts are flowing freely without much restraint, which makes it a bit challenging for me to keep up.

However, I can still appreciate the creativity and uniqueness that he brings to the table.

Maybe with more time and further exploration, I will be able to grasp the full essence of what he is trying to convey.

For now, I'll just have to take it one line at a time and see where it leads me.