Death Be Not Proud

New Perspectives

When you think about death, what comes to mind? Death drags along so many images and feelings; it's difficult to pin on just one. Some people think of sadness, tears, heart-break, and grief- lots of grief. This is definitely not the case for Johnny Gunther in Death Be Not Proud. Before I was even half way through the book, the resilience of young Johnny already amazed me. When vulnerably exposed to the face of death, he somehow manages to keep a positive perspective on life. "Almost always when I called him early in the morning to ask how he was feeling, he would answer, no matter how feeble his voice was, 'Simply marvelous!'" (39). This book is meant for anyone- young, old or somewhere in between- who could use a bit of hope in their lives because Gunther portrays that element very well throughout his story. He expands on the tiniest details and re-lives those glorious moments for readers, "What a blessed day it was when, with great shouts of glee, Johnny was allowed a real shampoo!" (81). Why on earth would anyone get excited about using this every-day toiletry? Johnny knew the answer to that question which displays to audiences his full grasp on life and longing to enjoy every aspect of it. Occasionally, parts seemed dull and maybe even repetitive. The common scene of doctor, after doctor, after doctor is recurrent but I cannot argue with that fact mostly because much of Johnny's final months were doing just that! Some might argue that Gunther's closeness to this case might fog the view on his son's death. But I am convinced that his close proximity to each event taken place made it possible to produce such a well-descripted, emotion-packed piece of work. I highly recommend this memoir to anyone looking for a new perspective on life or just wants a touching read.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Death be Not Proud is very inspirational to all of the audience no matter what age they are

This book was inspiring because Johnny Gunther Jr. was a young boy who was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was in his teens. Since this is the year 1943 the doctors don't know very many things about the certain type of cancer that he had. Although he had half of his brain removed he could still move around and do stuff one of the most amazing things that he did was when he had to finish 43 labs in one week he did because he worked hard in it and if he hadn't have died in the summer then he would have been enrolled in Harvard in the fall. This book really motivated me telling me that anybody can do anything as long as they believe in themselves that they can do it then they can do it. This is shown in when the doctors say that he only has a year to live and he fights with the cancer super hard and he winds up living an extra three months. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get inspired.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

What conquers Death?

Death Be Not Proud resonates with me on many different levels. Without going into personal matters, as a teenager, this book quickly became my favorite. It's the personal recount of a father, John Gunther, struggling with his terminally ill son, Johnny, inflicted with a brain tumor. It's about the unstoppable nature parents posses to save their child, regardless of how silly or inconceivable the strategy might seem. Diets to starve the tumor. Gas to shrink it. It's about searching for answers that no one has. Through this entire ordeal, Johnny, has an unwavering passion for life. While his body suffers the effects of the procedures and the tumor, his mind does not. That is something special I keep referring back to. For Johnny, with an IQ off the charts, letters to Albert Einstein at 16 or 17 years old, and taking on course loads that had never been entertained at his school, his mind was one of his greatest gifts.

As his father points out, it's ironic that the best feature of Johnny was the one that was being attacked. Of course, identifying something as best is all relative. I would suggest his heart was his best feature. I applaud Gunther for writing this tribute to Johnny. With this book, Johnny's memory can now last in the minds of millions, not just the few that had the privilege to actually know this special young man.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

I literally just finished reading this memoir at three in the morning. Not only the style with which Gunther writes but also the story behind it all and Johnny's experience itself, combine to make this memoir truly life changing. No more can be said about this book that I would recommend to anyone who asks.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Anonymous

Did this novel make you cry?

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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Inspring Struggle to Live

Reading Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther reminded me of the hints of pain I saw my sister go through while her best friend fought against cancer. However, reading this book did not make me feel very emotional at all. Sure, there were points in the book when I felt touched by Johnny Gunther's tough pride and perseverance, but his father writes in a very dry style that doesn't convey much drama or emotion. Too often he does not go into much detail and he does not delve into his pain or his ex-wife's pain and instead focuses on the events. It may have been hard to remember his own struggle, but I was hoping for more of a father's memoir of his pain as he watched his son, instead of a chronicled book of events, very much like a history textbook.
However, the inspiring, brilliant story of Johnny Gunther's fight made me think about life. I wondered about fate and destiny and if I have any control over that. Johnny did not know of his terminal condition, and he continued to believe he would return to his normal life after the cancer was eradicated. His love for academics, especially chemistry and physics, was wondrous to read about. His capacity for knowledge, even when his brain was under such stress and dealing with a very large tumor, was amazing. He continued to learn, expand his knowledge, and conduct many laboratory experiments even in the hospital. Johnny's high school graduation was probably the highlight of the memoir. His heroic battle just to walk down the aisle of the church was exciting to imagine.
The novel was a drag to read sometimes because of the bland wording which pushed the reader away from the time of Johnny's illness. However, I would recommend this memoir to anyone, especially children who need to be exposed to some of the darker sides of life. Johnny's inspiring fight will give anyone the courage and will to live.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Sad and poignant

I read this book years ago, and I'm glad I was able to find this title again. What I did remember was I found it good how the boy, although he was very sick was able to see life in everything.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The world would of been so much brighter if he had lived...

No book that I have ever read has captured my complete atention as the way this book did, and I am only 14. And to think that it was all true, saddens me to the point that I wish I could give my life to let this boy live. Johnny was a person who deserved to live. He put so much hard work into everything he did. His intellegence was so immense and incredible. It's hard to believe that a boy that smart and dilegent died to the evil monster, cancer. His story inspired me to be the very best that I can be, because that is what Johnny did, to his very last breath. He was the best he could have been at the point of his death. That is what makes me smile, to think that he could of been no better than what he actually was when he died. He was certainly something and truely special. His continual strength and will to keep a smile on his face and the people around him through his illness is an act all itself so great. It bothers me to wonder what would of become of Johnny had he lived. He could of contributed a great deal to the world. Although the story and memory, and the feeling of his undying will and desire to strive to be the very best that you can be is enough. He would of been a leading brain of his time. I know it. Though, the one question I wanted answered at the end of the book is that if he got accepted to Harvard. I so greatly hope he did. If he didn't then that was the worst decision that Harvard ever made, despite had he lived. If he was accepted, I feel left out as to see of what great things he could of done with the aid of their education. This is the best book I have ever read, and I thank my 8th grade Gifted Language Arts teacher gave it to me to read. I have an undying respect to the doctors who helped Johnny live as long as he did, and his parents who never gave up, never stopped searching, and most importantly of all never stopped loving him. I recommend this book. It should be read by the whole world, and its effects will be for the better.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The True Meaning Of Courage

I've read this book so many times. I feel that I know Johnny. I think of how his spirit was so strong. Everytime that I read this book I expect the ending to be different. I expect him to beat death and live a full life. I want my son to read this book and see that he was a seventeen year old just like him but he was trying to do so much with so little time. I wish that someone would do a movie on this book. It will be a book for every generation.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A must read

I loved this book. Usually in this genre I am filled with a sense of graditude and faith, but I was filled with a sense of loss in this book because without a doubt, the world would have been better were Johnny allowed to live. But this book truly portrayed how fragile life is and how things aren't fair. This is a must read.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Memorable story

I first read Death Be Not Proud when I was a junior high school student (45 years ago). I was greatly impressed by the courage and intelligence of Johnny Gunther. I recently saw the title when visiting a Barnes and Noble store and purchased a copy. As I reread this moving story, I am again deeply touched, but this time I ache for the pain of the parents. While it is indeed a sad and tragic story, Johnny Gunther's courage in the face of death is inspirational. I highly recommend this book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Johnny Gunther is an Angel

I read this book when I was in the 10th grade (1989 I believe) and I was moved so much that I felt like I would have traded places with Johnny if I could have. I read it again about four years later...I never reread books...That's what actually makes this novel indescribabe. It definitely has been the ONE book that I'll never forget!!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A sad but meaningful book

The book Death Be Not Proud was a very interesting book about the life of Johnny told by his dad. Johnny's dad (John) was a emotional writer and I think that is what made this book so interesting. The way that John talks about his son and the things he went through show just how much love he has for him. Johnny was such a brave 17 year old boy that was also very smart. He lived longer than anyone would have expected because of his desire to know more about everything in life. I enjoyed reading this book because it gave me a desire to get more out of my life and spend more time learning new things.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

AWESOME!!!

I wish I could have given this book more than five stars. It is definitely my all time favorite book. Although I am only sixteen, I don't think I will ever find another to leave me with the same feelings. Even while reading this book for the second and third times, I was still hoping for some cure for Johnny. Death Be Not Proud was written so beautifully. I admire Johnny, his family, and the many doctors that tried so despirately to save him. This is by far one of the best and saddest books I've ever read. Though sad, I closed the book with a smile. I smiled because I now look at things differently. I have realized that you must live life to its fullest, for there are others who have been far less fortunate than those of us who are reading this now.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

So sad:(

I wish Johny didn't have to die!!!!!!!!!!!! He was such a good person and he wanted to live more than anything. It scares me knowing it could happen to anyone. I noticed that there was nothing written about the parents' feelings. In the end it says they had a daughter who died before she turned 1, which means they lost both their children:(

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0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended - you must check it out!!!

Death Be Not Proud was a very emotional novel, that really draws the reader in with its heartbreaking plot. The story is about the author¿s son, who died at the age of 17 after a fourteen month illness caused by a brain tumor. This novel really changes your view on life, and how much we take for granted things dear to us. The struggle for life or death and the determination this little boy has is awe inspiring and could possibly benefit how you live your life tomorrow and for the rest of you life.

normal school kid

in our reading class, our teacher picked books for us. if i became a teacher, i would NEVER make my students read this if they were in junior high or high school. there are very big words in this book and kids these days dont use this kind of language and it was really boring because i didnt get what it was talking about.

0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

I Loved This Book!

This is now my favorite book, I was crying on page 6 of the forward. It is an amazing, heart-wrenching story about a young man fighting a malignant tumor. I loved it! Everyone should read this book! It definitely should be required reading.