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Most Helpful Favorable Review
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
One of the most outstanding books I have read in recent years
For anyone whose life has been touched by Alzheimer's disease (as so many have been, and many more will be), or for anyone who is approaching the far side of middle age, this book is at the same time clarifying and terrifying. The author takes the perspective of the Al...Read More
For anyone whose life has been touched by Alzheimer's disease (as so many have been, and many more will be), or for anyone who is approaching the far side of middle age, this book is at the same time clarifying and terrifying. The author takes the perspective of the Alzheimer's patient herself, one which is frequently overlooked by more "scholarly" works on the topic, and changes the whole tone of her writing as well as the subjects portrayed, as the narrator progresses further into the grip of the disease. She brings out many seldom-contemplated factors such as quality of life, support groups and counseling for the patient as well as the caregivers, and provides a gripping, touching, and horrifying sense of how it must be to feel yourself slipping away. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I have already passed around my advance copy and plan to buy several copies for family members and friends when it is released. A must-read for caregivers, relatives, and persons in the early stages of Alzheimers, and a goldmine for book groups.Show Less
posted by 2866exile on November 2, 2008
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
An Amazing Perspective of Alzheimer's
When I first picked up this book at the store to read the jacket, my first thought was "I don't know if I want to read something that will be so sad." I am so glad that I didn't listen to that first thought.
Still Alice gives us a look into the world of Alzheimer's f...Read More
Still Alice gives us a look into the world of Alzheimer's f...Read More
When I first picked up this book at the store to read the jacket, my first thought was "I don't know if I want to read something that will be so sad." I am so glad that I didn't listen to that first thought.
Still Alice gives us a look into the world of Alzheimer's from Alice's point of view - an intelligent woman who is trying to figure out how to deal with her mind. How many of us know someone with this disease? Do you treat them differently after you have learned? Once you read this book, you may look at your own actions in a different light.Show Less
Still Alice gives us a look into the world of Alzheimer's from Alice's point of view - an intelligent woman who is trying to figure out how to deal with her mind. How many of us know someone with this disease? Do you treat them differently after you have learned? Once you read this book, you may look at your own actions in a different light.Show Less
posted by Sherry_Young on April 8, 2010
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One of the most outstanding books I have read in recent years
For anyone whose life has been touched by Alzheimer's disease (as so many have been, and many more will be), or for anyone who is approaching the far side of middle age, this book is at the same time clarifying and terrifying. The author takes the perspective of the Alzheimer's patient herself, one which is frequently overlooked by more "scholarly" works on the topic, and changes the whole tone of her writing as well as the subjects portrayed, as the narrator progresses further into the grip of the disease. She brings out many seldom-contemplated factors such as quality of life, support groups and counseling for the patient as well as the caregivers, and provides a gripping, touching, and horrifying sense of how it must be to feel yourself slipping away. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I have already passed around my advance copy and plan to buy several copies for family members and friends when it is released. A must-read for caregivers, relatives, and persons in the early stages of Alzheimers, and a goldmine for book groups.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 10, 2010
Take time to watch how beautiful a butterfly is because its life span is very short. So, don't miss all that this creature has to offer.
Lisa Genova takes a subject that is so difficult to deal with and turns it into a time that all can learn from. If you have ever had a parent or sibling die from this disease, you will find this book a must to understand what happens from the patient's perspective of this long good bye. Lisa Genova takes the time to show how difficult it is for the patient as well as the family. As a caretaker you sometimes forget that there is a person locked inside this disease that is unable to remember but can still function at some level. Each stage is handled with care and openness, but will leave the reader asking questions about their own reactions if faced with such a situation. No one is left out. If you have not been confronted with this disease, you will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for both the patient and caregivers through this piece of literature.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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janicelynn61
Posted June 24, 2009
What a great book!
Once I started reading Still Alice, I couldn't stop!! I have had some personal experiences with a few friends that developed early onset of Alzheimer's Disease and I believe that the author totally captured all of the nuances that seem to go along with the disease. I think that the author depicted the progression of the disease very accurately as well as what happens to the family and friends that watch the person slowly but surely deteriorating no matter what the lifestyle or education of that person is. It was a book that touched my emotions because of my personal experiences. As I read the book, I sometimes found myself having to put it down because of my feelings....but moments later picking up the book to continue reading it. A must read!!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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BLUEEYEBE
Posted July 1, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This one will tug at your heart!
Still Alice is a compelling story about a Harvard Professor's decline into Alzheimer's disease and the revelation of what a person goes through on his or her journey down the road to dementia. This will tug at your heart as you feel 50 year old Alice's confusion and the toll it takes on family and friends.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Kteach
Posted April 13, 2009
Powerful story
This was one of the most powerful stories I've read in a long time. Having a family member suffering from dementia, reading the book gave me a deeper insight into our relative's behaviors. While it is a disturbing story, it is also one that will provoke conversation and give a greater understanding of those suffering from one of the illnesses involving memory loss.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted September 24, 2010
Very accurate
I could identify with so much in this book -- my husband was diagnosed 7 years ago with early onset Alzheimer's Disease when he was only 56 years old. He now knows none of his family and is in institutional care. The book was very accurate about the denial by patient, family members, friends -- and about the stigma of all forms of dementia. As portrayed in the book, friends often disappear, even family members eventually fade away as the patient's mind fades also. I think everyone should be encouraged to read this heartbreaking account of Alzheimer's and equally important, the story of caregiving. An excellent book, be prepared to be shocked, saddened, and educated by this story.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 19, 2009
Very close to being real it's uncanny
This is a very accurate picture of what a family goes through when a parent is diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's its hard to believe that its actually a fictional account. My father was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's and many of the things that happened to my father was exactly like the book. I just wish I had this book before he was diagnosed. It is uncanny how much Lisa Genova details in the book apply to people diagnosed with this disease. I can remember my father talking to me about his daughter when we where sitting at the kitchen table and having to tell him that I was his daughter. Just as Alice was speaking to Lydia the night of the play and not knowing who she was. This book was a great read. I would highly recommended it .
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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TriscuitQueen
Posted March 10, 2009
An Amazing Book!
I have to admit, I'm mostly a sci-fi person. I have no idea why I purchased this book, all I know is that I'm glad that I did!
"Still Alice" takes you on a journey through the mind of a woman (Alice) who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Most of the book is told through Alice's eyes, and it is a fascinating and yet sad story of how Alice feels as she progresses through the different stages of the disease, as well as the conflicts within the family as each family member learns to deal with their own emotions about Alice having Alzheimers. When the family learns that the type of Alzheimers that Alice has is the type that is genetic, each of her three children must decide whether or not to get tested for the gene that carries the disease, and then make choices on whether or not to have children of their own who might also carry the gene. I found the trials of Alice's two daughters intriguing, as they are almost a story within the story as each daughter begins to make choices in her life based on Alice's diagnosis.
I found this story to be acurate, intense, terrifying, heartbreaking and yet felt immense joy at a family who came together in the time of need.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Lynnkid
Posted April 12, 2010
It touched me and 'made me think'
I read this book over six months ago but it's still on my mind....especially some of the sad portions of the book and the funny sports bra episode. I appreciated learning more about early onset Alzheimer's disease and I was touched by how the character and her family were affected.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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An Amazing Perspective of Alzheimer's
When I first picked up this book at the store to read the jacket, my first thought was "I don't know if I want to read something that will be so sad." I am so glad that I didn't listen to that first thought.
Still Alice gives us a look into the world of Alzheimer's from Alice's point of view - an intelligent woman who is trying to figure out how to deal with her mind. How many of us know someone with this disease? Do you treat them differently after you have learned? Once you read this book, you may look at your own actions in a different light.1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 24, 2010
Loved it
I am a slow reader and our book club chose this book for the month and I read it in 3 days. I always take the month to read the book. This is a book that really stays with you in your thoughts and will be a great discussion book for the club.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2010
Well done portrayal of a debilitating condition
Originally when my book club suggested this book to read I didn't think I would enjoy reading it as I feared it would be too emotionally heavy. However, I thought it was sensitively written and did not leave the reader feeling sorry for Alice but more intrigued by how she dealt with her condition. It was also interesting to see how her family handled the changes in Alice and how it impacted even the youngest members of the family. It made me wonder how my own family and spouse would handle such a situation if it happened to me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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A haunting tale
After seeing this book at my local Wal-Mart, I decided to give it a shot. I was blown away at the journey you take along with Alice. You can feel her pain and confusion. It is so heart breaking yet you have a front row seat to her experience. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand this condition.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Phenomenal, yet frighteningly real.
It has been a long time since I have read a book that has had such an emotional impact on me as Still Alice did. Alice and her story gripped my heart. I found myself tearing up on more than one occasion, my heart ached as if Alice were my own mother. Well, let me just say that I was profoundly moved. Lisa Genova did an outstanding job of putting the reader inside the story. Inside of Alice's shoes. Frankly, it was a frightening place to be. I was very impressed with her way of telling Alice's story. I can see why the book has been so successful and I look forward to reading future works by Lisa Genova.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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moving and heartbreaking in every way
This is an amazing book, moving and heartbreaking in every way. Alice has early onset Alzheimer's and this book is told by her point of view which is scary and heartbreaking to see this professor at Harvard go downhill. You feel for her as she loses more than memory she loses herself, her comfort, her meaning in life.
Her husband kind of made me mad I've seen how hard Alzheimer's can be on the caregiver but this was the first thing I've read from the person with the disease's perspective, because of that it was harder for me to be sympathetic towards her husband.
I hope to never be in Alice's shoes it must be so awful to not recognize your own children and family.
This is a very powerful read that I would recommend whole heartedly. If you know anyone whose lives have been touched by Alzheimer's they need to read this book.1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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BookGma
Posted October 4, 2009
Heartbreaking but Hopeful
I couldn't put this book down. This fictional (but, oh, so real!) family's story broke my heart and scared me to death, while at the same time provided me understanding and hope. I loved the Alice character so much. The author combined research and her own neuroscience knowledge to incorporate Alzheimer's facts into a fictional case based on real experiences pulled from her interviews and research. I will keep this book in the event that Alzheimer's Disease enters the lives of my friends or family in the future. Everyone should read "Still Alice." This book includes discussion questions for book clubs and an interview with Dr. Genova.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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A One Day Read
This was the first time in my life that I ever read a book in one day. I felt like Oprah! It was captivating. It reminded me so much of my late mother and brought back so many memories and eased a lot of latent quilt. I loved the characters and cheered and prayed for Alice. If you've ever loved or even known anyone who has grown old, or will grow old, it is a must read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Delved realistically into the world of Alzheimer's
Well written, especially from a first time author. Although not a page-turner the book held my attention to the very end. I also understand so much more about Alzheimer's and know it to be a more devastating disease than I ever thought before. The perspective of Alice and her decline was heartbreaking.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Genova Gets It Right
STILL ALICE
Lisa Genova
Pocket Books
Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 978-1-4391-0281-7
Paperback
$15.00
Reviewer: Annie Slessman
Alzheimer's Disease doesn't kill you instantly, isn't physically noticeable to the naked eye. However, it is one of the most debilitating diseases we experience today. In STILL ALICE, by Lisa Genova, one can feel the frustration of Alice Howland, a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard when she goes for her regular run in Harvard Square and cannot remember how to get home. This brilliant woman, who is also a well renowned expert in linguistics finds out she has Alzheimer's Disease when she gets medical tests after having a problem remembering what she was to teach in a classroom after studying the subject hours the night before.
Alice's life is full. She travels continually as a public speaker, teaches classes at Harvard and has no time for Alzheimer's. The disease doesn't care what Alice wants or her time commitments and it strikes with a vengeance that traps Alice inside a brain she that is no longer functioning normally. Her struggle with the disease and her family's reaction to her increasing dementia makes for one great book.
I admit to being scared out of my own mind reading this story. A woman in my sixties, this disease appears to be an extremely frightening one. To imagine that you can no longer remember the loved ones around you, drive a car or complete mundane everyday tasks is just plain scary. This disease is also believed to be genetic so it can affect your children and grandchildren as well.
Alice states at one point in the book that she would rather have cancer. At least she could fight that disease. Alzheimer's Disease is incurable and does not provide an afflicted person with any resources except drugs that may provide times of clarity. This particular result of the drug seems quite cruel to this reviewer as it is giving something that will eventually be taken away again.
If you want to know more about Alzheimer's Disease and its effects, this is an excellent book on the subject. I will tell you as well, you will probably want to put a fist in the face of Alice's husband in the end. I know I did.1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Stunning portrayal of this horrible disease.
I am a member of the Second Saturday Book Club and one of our members choice this book. I've always been drawn to Alzheimer's awareness events and in the past years worked on their different campaigns. This story touches you in heart (and mind) and really gives you a connection with Alice and she progresses into the disease. Stunning portrayal of her life and she progresses further and further and the trials and tribulations that she and her family face.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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