Too Soon To Say Goodbye by Buchwald, Art (2006) Paperback

When Art Buchwald, the Pulitzer-Prize winning columnist and humorist, died recently, I was saddened . . . but not for long, in that shortly thereafter I chuckled when I saw him smiling as he told me and countless others that if I was watching him read his own obituary, it meant--to quote him--that "I just died." Accounts of his death also made reference to his last book, TOO SOON TO SAY GOODBYE, in which he described his last days in a hospice in Washington, D.C. . . . the only problem, though: Buchwald didn't die right away . . . rather, he actually got better and used his time to visit with family and dozens of famous friends. In doing so, he discovered and shared many truths I'll hopefully always remember . . . for example: If you want to be kept in somebody's will, be nice and give him a box of candy. Buchwald also tells of his friendships with celebrities ranging from Ethel Kennedy to John Glenn, and he fondly talks about his life with his wife Ann, his 14 champagne-filled years in Paris and his lifetime as a columnist syndicated in hundreds of newspapers. I felt that in reading this wonderful book, I was having a one-on-one chat with the author . . . among the memorable tidbits that he shared were the following: * A friend of mine, Larry Gelbart, said he thinks the end will come for most people when all the phone companies merge and there is only one company left. * Many of the letter writers said they were praying for me. If God was listening to the prayers about me, I thought, how busy could God be? * One of the ways I make people happy is to tell them how much I enjoyed the dish they brought me. I ask for the recipe and then I give it to another person so they can also make it for me. I don't know whether I'm violating people's cooking rights or not.

Ben Bradlee said it best..."Artie can squeeze a book out of a busy signal". And so, with the extra time that Art Buchwald enjoyed after entering Washington Hospice a year ago, he did just that..."Too Soon to Say Goodbye" (a mini-biography of sorts) may just be his most revealing. Art Buchwald was sui generis. In this book, which alternates between the serious side of death and the comedy that comes so naturally to him, the author raises dying to the highest art form. It has been said that living a long life is the greatest revenge... but knowing how to die takes an extra talent. While at hospice he tells us he eats well, loves to chat with other patients, enjoys the gossip brought to him by his close friends and flirts. Yes, he flirts! In a look back at his life, however, he isn't shy about reminding us of the deep depression he went through and how his friends Mike Wallace and William Styron talked about it publicly together. His longtime physican, Dr. Michael Newman, calls the three of them "The Blues Brothers". Art Buchwald had tremendous courage. The wonderful thing about "Too Soon to Say Goodbye" is that never for one moment does he sink into mawkishness. Facts are facts, but the humor prevails. There's a line to laugh about on each page and my favorite was this one...(referring to his many years spent on Martha's Vineyard)..."I am surprised but happy to have the chance to say, 'you can take me out of the Vineyard, but you can't take the Vineyard out of me.'" Talk about "vinatge" Buchwald. "Too Soon to Say Goodbye" is a classy final chapter in a great life. We'll miss him.

Art Buchwald 's "Too Soon To Say Goodbye" was sad and humorous at the same time. Buchwald was expecting to die sooner rather than later and used that extra time to leave the world this beautiful, final legacy. One is left to wonder if some of the treatments we endure are worth it when we see the quality of life he had in the end. His humor was intact and he was alive and lucid to receive all the many visitors streaming in. Art Buchwald chose to forgo the popular treatment to enjoy his last days and as a result, lived each extra one to the fullest. This is the story of a man who lived his life with dignity and chose to die the same way. Wonderful but sad, a worthy read.

I have always liked reading anything by Art Buchwald. He has a skewered take on almost everything, and as it turns out death too. It might seem morbid to read a book - even by a humorist - about his own death. Is it insensitive if I say I enjoyed this book? He admits he doesn't have any particular insight to what lies beyond, but it is clear that knowing the end was coming did nothing to hurt his humor, and therin lies the perfection of his last words. Now it's St. Peter's turn to fall down laughing at the newest resident of the best of all places to be, but we will miss his heart and spirit and are all better because he shared this with us. I hope I can die with half as much dignity when the time comes.

Having cheated death, Art Buchwold has given us a bedside look at his impending demise. Do not read this book unless you are where you can laugh out loud.