Still Alice: Summary and book reviews of Still Alice by Lisa Genova, plus links to an excerpt from Still Alice and a biography of Lisa Genova.

Still Alice is a compelling debut novel about a 50-year-old woman's sudden descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease, written by first-time author Lisa Genova, who holds a Ph. D in neuroscience from Harvard University. Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the Cape, is a celebrated Harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a forgetfulness creeping into her life. As confusion starts to cloud her thinking and her memory begins to fail her, she receives a devastating diagnosis: early onset Alzheimer's disease. Fiercely independent, Alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle and live in the moment, even as her sense of self is being stripped away. In turns heartbreaking, inspiring and terrifying, Still Alice captures in remarkable detail what's it's like to literally lose your mind...

BookBrowse

Still Alice seems designed specifically with book clubs in mind. Not only does the subject matter lend itself to in-depth discussion, but the novel features both a reader's guide and an extensive author Q&A. Beyond the book club circuit, those curious about this insidious disease will find this an enlightening and enjoyable read.  (Reviewed by Kim Kovacs).

Full Review (979 words).

Media Reviews

The Boston Globe - Beverly Beckham After I read Still Alice, I wanted to stand up and tell a train full of strangers, 'You have to get this book.' Every 72 seconds another American develops Alzheimer's disease. The literary agents who said Genova's book wouldn't sell are wrong. Because Still Alice isn't only about dementia. It's about Alice, a woman beloved by her family and respected by her colleagues, who in the end, is still Alice, not just her disease.   Dame Magazine - Caroline Leavitt Moving and haunting, with a knockout ending, Still Alice turns the unthinkable into art.   Publishers Weekly This novel will appeal to those dealing with the disease and may prove helpful, but beyond the heartbreaking record of illness there's little here to remember.   Kirkus Reviews Worthy, benign and readable, but not always lifelike.   Booklist Clearly explaining the testing, treatment options, and symptoms of the disease within the context of an absorbing family drama, Genova has written an ideal primer for anyone touched by Alzheimer's. Chuck Jackson, diagnosed with Alzheimer's age 50 This is the clearest and most truthful piece of fiction I have read depicting living with Alzheimer's. You accurately describe the feelings and actions of both persons, together, entangled in this dance with Alzheimer's Disease. Thank you for writing this story.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Robin Irwin
A moving read with unrealistic ending
I am familiar with the condition, watching my MiL from early stages till death. While I felt Ms Genova explored many of the dynamics of the disease and the family and their reactions, I felt in ending the book when she did, she wimped out on the...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Jean-R.N.
Still Alice
Well written - everyone should be made aware of the dynamics in dealing with anyone exhibiting the symptoms of Alz. disease. Important to understand & remember that they have feelings too, regardless of their ability to communicate. As a...   Read More

Rated of 5 by janet weaver
STILL ALICE
I thought this book had a lot of good information, and was intriguing in many ways. I particularly thought the daily quiz the protagonist set up to test herself and protect herself from overstaying her intellectual shelf life was terrific. If the...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Marian Shapiro
Enlightening and Educational
This is a heart wrenching and heart warming story that takes us through the devastating diagnosis that Alice comes face to face with. It also lets us know how this affects all the other family members and how they find the strength to be...   Read More

Rated of 5 by jm
question
Is it based on a true story? [BookBrowse: No, it is not. However, the Author has a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard, and did a considerable amount of research and collection of stories from people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s (who could...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Llusha
Unique
I started this reluctantly this morning because I thought it would contain painfully personal connections (MiL had early-onset Alzheimer's), and it did, and because I thought it would be too short (and it was). Highly recommended

...1 More Reader Reviews

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