The Last Act of Love , Cathy Rentzenbrink’s account of her brother Matty’s traumatic brain injury and consequent permanent vegetative state, was the first non-fiction book read by our neurology book club. This acclaimed memoir charts the family’s 8-year journey, starting with the initial shock of Matty’s accident and hopes for recovery, through a growing acceptance of his irreversible neurological impairment, and his eventual death following withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration. Rentzenbrink’s prose vividly portrays her grief at the loss of her brother, and the lasting impact of his injury on her life. Through her eyes we also witness reactions of family, friends and society at large, both illuminating and poignant. The prominent theme of the first part of the book is the emotional challenge faced by the family in dealing with Matty’s vegetative state, a grey area between the …

中文翻译：

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爱的最后一幕

The Last Act of Love 是 Cathy Rentzenbrink 对她哥哥 Matty 的创伤性脑损伤和随之而来的永久植物人状态的描述，是我们神经病学读书俱乐部阅读的第一本非小说类书籍。这部广受好评的回忆录描绘了这个家庭 8 年的旅程，从 Matty 事故的最初震惊和康复的希望开始，到越来越多地接受他的不可逆转的神经损伤，以及他在临床辅助营养和水合作用的撤出后最终死亡。伦岑布林克的散文生动地描绘了她对失去兄弟的悲痛，以及他的受伤对她生活的持久影响。通过她的眼睛，我们还目睹了家人、朋友和整个社会的反应，既有启发性又令人心酸。