Briefly Perfectly Human by Alua Arthur Summary

Briefly Perfectly Human explores how embracing mortality can lead to a more authentic, fulfilling life. Blending memoir and practical wisdom, death doula Alua Arthur shares personal stories of depression, cultural displacement, and her work in end-of-life care to argue that confronting death allows us to live with urgency and purpose. The book reframes death as a catalyst for meaningful existence.

This book resonates with caregivers, individuals facing terminal diagnoses, spiritual seekers, and anyone grappling with existential questions. It’s particularly valuable for readers interested in death positivity, memoirs about personal transformation, or rethinking societal taboos around mortality. Book clubs focusing on life-purpose themes will find rich discussion material.

Yes—readers describe it as “life-changing” and “rawly authentic,” with Kirkus praising its poetic wisdom. While some critique its memoir-heavy structure over practical death doula guidance, the book’s emotional honesty and unique perspective on mortality make it a standout read for those open to introspection.

“Death embrace” refers to Alua Arthur’s philosophy of actively acknowledging mortality to reclaim agency over life. By accepting death’s inevitability, individuals can release fear, prioritize what truly matters, and cultivate deeper connections. This concept underpins her work as a death doula and her advocacy for compassionate end-of-life conversations.

Arthur’s journey—from Ghanaian immigrant to lawyer to death doula—infuses the narrative with themes of reinvention and resilience. Her experiences with depression, aiding her dying brother-in-law, and founding Going with Grace inform the book’s balance of vulnerability and actionable insights about living intentionally.

• Mortality awareness reduces existential anxiety
• Authenticity requires confronting life’s impermanence
• End-of-life planning fosters peace for individuals and families
• Joy often lies in simplicity, not grand achievements

Arthur illustrates these through client stories and personal crises.

Unlike clinical guides or grief memoirs, Arthur merges her cross-cultural lived experience with hands-on death doula work. The book emphasizes emotional truth over prescriptive advice, targeting readers seeking philosophical depth rather than step-by-step euthanasia or estate planning guidance.

Some readers note the memoir elements occasionally overshadow death doula practices, and the nonlinear structure may challenge those preferring concrete takeaways. A minority find Arthur’s unflinching vulnerability discomforting, though many argue this rawness amplifies the book’s impact.

Arthur tackles 2025-specific stressors—existential dread about climate change, AI disruption, and global instability—by framing mortality acceptance as an antidote to paralysis. Her call to “live urgently” resonates in an era of overwhelming uncertainty.

• “We’re going to die. Wake up!” – A rallying cry to stop postponing life.
• “Death is not an emergency; living half-alive is.” – Challenges complacency.
• “Grief is love with nowhere to land.” – Reframes loss as continued connection.

Yes—Arthur’s insights push readers to audit choices through mortality’s lens: “Would I regret this on my deathbed?” The book advocates quitting soulless jobs, repairing estrangements, and prioritizing experiences over societal expectations.

Her family’s escape from political violence instilled early lessons about life’s fragility, while West African traditions of communal grieving contrast with Western death avoidance. These dual perspectives strengthen her critique of industrialized healthcare’s isolation of the dying.