Dying: A Memoir

by Donald Horne, Myfanwy Horne

This book is the last work of one of Australia's most respected and influential thinkers. On learing that his illness was terminal, Donald orne began dictating his experience of dying....

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

263 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Donald Richmond Horne AO was an Australian journalist, writer, and public intellectual. He was editor of The Bulletin, The Observer, and Quadrant, and was best known for his 1964 book The Lucky Country.

Reviews

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just recently I read Donald Horne's last book. As the title suggests, it is about his experiences in the last few months of his life. I remember buying this book because one reviewer said that, despite the subject matter, it was far from maudlin. For a range of reasons I had put off reading it, but discovered the reviewer was right.

This is an insightful, touching reflection on a life, written in a wryly observant style. I was moved by his spare prose throughout, but particularly at the end as his wife had obviously completed what the great man could not. I honestly recommend this for its sheer originality - so rarely does someone speak about mortality, let alone write such an accurate portrayal of how illness is managed.

May we all be able to face those days with such equanimity.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry - but also gave me a real appreciation of the human condition and what it is like to be in the position to reflect upon the past knowing that your future is limited...

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last third of this book were disjointed and whilst interesting, somewhat distracting from the rest of the book. A book about death that isn't horribly depressing.

[Chris Waterford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed both the memoir part of the book---written by Donald up to 2 weeks before his death---and also his wife. I found the essays interesting, easy to read and thought provoking.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intensely real, but life affirming book about death. Contemplating death always puts perspective into one’s own current situation. To this end, books like this reminds me death is part of life and keeping view of death helps me to live life appreciating what I want to value. For him, it was his work, his wife, his relationships and the people who were inspired by him. Even though most of us will never be as influential as him, we still have our own sphere of influence and should exert our strengths to build others. That’s the key thing I thought of after reading this book.