Still Alice by Lisa Genova
"Still Alice" is a beautifully written, heartbreaking novel about the devastating affect Alzheimer's has on its victims and their families. Author Lisa Genova's choice of Alice - young, in shape, and intelligent (she's a Psychology & Linguistics Professor at Harvard) - shows that Alzheimer's can strike anyone, not just the elderly. The book is written from Alice's viewpoint, but Genova does a good job of showing the affect of Alzheimer's not only on Alice, but how her family (John, and their children - Anna, Tom, and Lydia) struggle with the changes in Alice. Genova does an excellent job of describing what is going on in Alice's head as the dementia increases. In fact, Genova does such a good job that it's easy to forgot the book is fiction and not about a real person.
A review from a reader on amazon.com:
This story deeply touched my heart. I couldn't put it down. Lisa Genova gives us such a revelation of what a person goes through on their journey down the road to dementia. It was at once interesting, entertaining, and informative, but mostly it tugged at my heart. I could feel Alice's confusion; I wept for Alice and her family, but I rejoiced in the love and care shown to her. I highly recommend this book .. a "must read"!!
Here is a link to the amazon.com information on this book...for ordering or to read more reviews:
I'm glad you liked it as much as I did, Cherl-it as a wonderful read--obviously written by someone with much knowledge about this terrible disease-made me wonder if I had it over and over as I read--I cried at her "speech" don't want to give anything away! Thanks to Erin for sharing this great book==Mom, do you want it next?? Nancy
ReplyDeleteYes, when my eyes are back to reading. That disease hit Dad's Shanahan cousin in Groveland. She was principal of the school that was named after her.Very inteligent, Evelyn was totally out of it , after her early retirement.She visited us in Westport, bringing her elderly folks down ( who,d never been out of Groveland.}Here father{Dad,s uncle took care of the church , and he never wanted to leave it.He was Grampa Smith,s oldest brother.After visiting us & seeing our love of antiques, they gave us the white & gold China chamber set that had been a wedding present to them.{I think in 1900. Mom
ReplyDeleteSOUNDS LIKE A GOOD BOOK. I CAN RELATE TO THE DISEASE AFTER CARING FOR UNCLE ART'S SISTER VIRGINIA FOR 31/2 YR. HAD TO PUT HER IN NURSING HOME TO PROTECT HER. SHE HAD A LOVELY HOME IN CAPE NEDDICK,ME. & THE SALE MONEY WENT FOR HER CARE. WE LIVE LONGER SO WILL SEE MORE OF SAME. A. MARION RELATE TO THE CRAFTY ONE THO.
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