Wayson Choy's Book Not Yet
A Canadian Author's Memoir about Nearly Dying and Living
In mid-2009, hundreds of people packed a downtown bookstore in Toronto, for a new memoir by celebrated Canadian author Wayson Choy.
Near Death Experiences
Not Yet is an intimate look at how Choy survived not one, but two brushes with death several years ago. In 2001, Choy suffered a severe asthma attack requiring a ventilator and a drug-induced coma to keep him alive. A few days later, he experienced another setback in the form of a heart attack.
In his touching memoir, Choy recounts how he slipped in and out of consciousness for days. He had nightmares in which he was haunted by voices of his ancestors warning that Choy would die alone since he was not married and childless. But throughout his ordeal, he was never alone: friends from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths were constantly at his bedside. And it was those same bonds that helped him survive his second heart attack in 2005.
Choy thanked the crowd of friends, including the nurses and doctors at St. Michael’s Hospital and Bridgepoint Rehabilitation Centre for their support. He called it a "glimpse of heaven" as he scanned the sea of familiar faces surrounding him.
Ben McNally Books
Ben McNally, the owner of the bookstore that held one of Choy's book signings, said he wasn’t surprised by the turnout. More than 200 hundred books were picked up, breaking the record ever sold at an event at the store. McNally lavished praise on the award-winning writer, saying, “Wayson has had a profound effect on a lot of people. He is widely loved and admired."
Guests at the book launch included former Scotiabank Giller prize winner, Vincent Lam, Doubleday publisher Maya Mavjee and Chinese doctor and author, Xiaolan Zhao.
Not Yet - The Effect on Readers
According to McNally, Not Yet has touched the hearts among many readers.
“I think Not Yet reminds us all of our mortality, and that we shouldn't take anything for granted, certainly not as far as health is concerned," McNally remarked, adding, "Also, I think we all have to reflect on how close we were to losing Wayson, who is a national resource. I think the book will be a monster success. It's easy to read but packs a powerful message.”
Not Yet is a deeply moving exploration of the importance and meaning of family in one's life. In Choy’s case, that doesn’t necessarily mean blood as it does love from his family of friends, including godchildren, colleagues and former students. He says there were scary moments while he was lying in the hospital bed: “I was nearly dying and there were times I felt that I could just let go and disappear and if it wasn’t for the voices of my friends and extended family members talking to me and asking me to stay, I could have gone.”
Instead, Choy says he’s learned valuable lessons from surviving his heart attacks: to listen to your body, to know that family is who loves you and to feel grateful for every single day.
Source:
- Not Yet, by Wayson Choy. Published by Doubleday Books, 2009.
Author Wayson Choy
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