Not Yet: A Memoir of Living and Almost Dying

Not Yet: A Memoir of Living and Almost Dying chronicles Canadian author Wayson Choy's dramatic medical crisis and its aftermath. The narrative centers on Choy's experience with a severe asthma attack and heart failure that brings him to the brink of death. The memoir explores Choy's relationships with friends and caregivers who supported him through his recovery at the hospital. His experience as a Chinese-Canadian writer and teacher provides context for his reflections on mortality and survival. Through his personal health crisis, Choy examines larger questions about life, death, and the complex bonds between people in times of crisis. The work stands as a meditation on human resilience and the profound impact of community during life's most challenging moments.

Readers appreciate Choy's honest portrayal of his near-death experiences and his reflections on life, death, and relationships. Many connect with his descriptions of hospital stays and health struggles, finding them authentic without being overly dramatic. Reviewers highlight: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Balanced perspective on Chinese-Canadian cultural identity - Thoughtful exploration of chosen family vs biological family - Insights into the writing process during illness Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in middle sections - Some repetitive passages about medical procedures - Limited development of secondary characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (164 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Choy captures the disorientation of serious illness without losing his sense of humor" - Goodreads reviewer Several readers note the memoir works best as a companion piece to Choy's other books rather than a standalone work.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi A neurosurgeon's memoir chronicling his terminal cancer diagnosis and subsequent reflections on mortality, medicine, and meaning creates parallel insights into life-changing medical crises.

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan This medical memoir follows a journalist's sudden descent into a mysterious illness and her fight for diagnosis, mirroring Choy's exploration of survival through medical crisis.

In the Land of Men by Adrienne Miller The author's account of facing life-threatening health complications interweaves cultural identity and professional life with medical trauma.

The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams A memoir detailing the author's journey from birth in Vietnam through terminal cancer combines cultural perspective with medical crisis narrative.

This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay A medical memoir presenting hospital experiences from both patient and doctor perspectives provides insight into the healthcare relationships Choy explores.

🔸 Wayson Choy was the first Chinese-Canadian author to publish a novel about the Chinese-Canadian experience with his acclaimed book "The Jade Peony" (1995) 🔸 The title "Not Yet" comes from Choy's vivid near-death experience where he heard voices saying "not yet" when he was between life and death 🔸 Prior to becoming a writer, Choy taught at Humber College in Toronto for 35 years and was known for mentoring numerous emerging writers 🔸 The memoir was written after Choy survived two near-death experiences: a combined asthma-heart attack in 2001 and a second health crisis in 2005 🔸 The book explores the unique concept of "chosen family" in LGBTQ+ communities, as Choy, who was openly gay, relied heavily on his non-biological family during his recovery