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amm0029's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written, absolutely heartbreaking novel. I think I cried through most of the book, written from the point of view of a bright, ambitious, 50 year old Harvard professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and her tragic slipping away.
blackshark's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
annaaab's review against another edition
5.0
This book.
I almost feel as if no review can justify the brilliance of this book.
Lisa Genova is not only an incredible writer but demonstrates her extensive level of knowledge surrounding the field of neurology within Still Alice.
I feel as if I have walked away from this book with an entirely new perspective on Alzheimer's Disease and memory loss, but also with a fresh outlook upon the preciousness of daily life. This novel imparted a message within me - the importance of not taking things for granted.
AMAZING. HEARTBREAKING.
I almost feel as if no review can justify the brilliance of this book.
Lisa Genova is not only an incredible writer but demonstrates her extensive level of knowledge surrounding the field of neurology within Still Alice.
I feel as if I have walked away from this book with an entirely new perspective on Alzheimer's Disease and memory loss, but also with a fresh outlook upon the preciousness of daily life. This novel imparted a message within me - the importance of not taking things for granted.
AMAZING. HEARTBREAKING.
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
3.0
Things are going pretty darn well for Alice Howland. She's not only enjoying a distinguished career--Harvard researcher and professor of psychology--but she's also got a successful, loving husband and three grown children. Then one day she goes for a run around her neighborhood and can't remember how to get home. Soon she finds herself forgetting words and parts of lectures that she's given dozens of times. She chalks it up to the arrival of menopause, but the feeling that something isn't right continues to gnaw at her. Finally, after a few doctors' visits and medical tests, she learns the truth: she has early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Suddenly, Alice's world is turned upside down. For as long as she can remember, her brain has been the most valuable thing she has. As her memory begins to slip further and further away, she learns more about what really matters to her and who she really is. Unfortunately, she's running out of time to make the most of this self-discovery.
This book totally broke my heart. At the beginning, I thought I wasn't going to care about this particular story. I didn't really even like Alice or any of the other main characters at first, and I only kept reading because of the Alzheimer's aspect. However, I did connect with Alice more as the story progressed, which made it seem even more tragic. It's incredibly sad that she is losing her mind just when she starts to reevaluate things and rearrange her priorities. The really sad part, though, is that Alzheimer's is a very real disease and thousands of people have gone through what Alice and her family experience in the novel. I don't think any of can imagine what it's like to slowly lose our grip on reality, but Genova makes it feel amazingly real.
This book totally broke my heart. At the beginning, I thought I wasn't going to care about this particular story. I didn't really even like Alice or any of the other main characters at first, and I only kept reading because of the Alzheimer's aspect. However, I did connect with Alice more as the story progressed, which made it seem even more tragic. It's incredibly sad that she is losing her mind just when she starts to reevaluate things and rearrange her priorities. The really sad part, though, is that Alzheimer's is a very real disease and thousands of people have gone through what Alice and her family experience in the novel. I don't think any of can imagine what it's like to slowly lose our grip on reality, but Genova makes it feel amazingly real.
shubbard116's review against another edition
5.0
Extremely powerful and beautiful. Loved every page.
rachd24's review against another edition
4.0
The premise of this novel is made clear from the outset, it’s obviously supposed to be a highly emotional, tear-jerker read (spoiler alert – it was), so you may wonder why I’d want to read it. Strangely, part of me enjoys reading books about medical conditions. There’s a certain insight, and empathy, that comes from reading books that focus on a character’s struggles as they face a difficult, and often life-threatening, illness. Sometimes, they can even make you feel better, rather than worse, as you realise there are so many people out there facing worse demons than you are.
The author of this novel is a neuroscientist who originally self-published Still Alice to raise awareness of the disease and to raise money for charitable organisations. Genova’s medical background is clear throughout this read, not only is the text interspersed with descriptions of medical conditions and treatments, but our main character, Alice, is also a very respected and intelligent professor of cognitive psychology, which allows Genova to flex her medical muscles further through her. I didn’t think there was too much medical jargon in the text, as I like the sense that the author is speaking with authority on the subject.
Even though this novel has lots of great medical information, it’s not a “boring” medical journal. Genova does an excellent job of depicting the emotional effects of the disease, not only on its victim, but on Alice’s family and friends. The disease itself begins to feel like a parasitic character – it is overwhelming at times, its presence daunting, because it is invisible but its effects are strongly felt and inevitable. It is a cruel disease – stripping away your achievements, your identity, your loved ones, and your memories – the very essence of who you are. Although it shouldn’t, Alice’s intelligence and achievements make her mental decline all the more poignant and sad.
Check out my full review here:
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2015/09/30/review-still-alice/
The author of this novel is a neuroscientist who originally self-published Still Alice to raise awareness of the disease and to raise money for charitable organisations. Genova’s medical background is clear throughout this read, not only is the text interspersed with descriptions of medical conditions and treatments, but our main character, Alice, is also a very respected and intelligent professor of cognitive psychology, which allows Genova to flex her medical muscles further through her. I didn’t think there was too much medical jargon in the text, as I like the sense that the author is speaking with authority on the subject.
Even though this novel has lots of great medical information, it’s not a “boring” medical journal. Genova does an excellent job of depicting the emotional effects of the disease, not only on its victim, but on Alice’s family and friends. The disease itself begins to feel like a parasitic character – it is overwhelming at times, its presence daunting, because it is invisible but its effects are strongly felt and inevitable. It is a cruel disease – stripping away your achievements, your identity, your loved ones, and your memories – the very essence of who you are. Although it shouldn’t, Alice’s intelligence and achievements make her mental decline all the more poignant and sad.
Check out my full review here:
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2015/09/30/review-still-alice/
ayane's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0