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Love Anthony

Lisa Genova (Goodreads Author)

3.96 · Rating details · 32,904 ratings · 4,327 reviews

The story of an accidental friendship that gives a grieving mother a priceless gift: the ability to understand the thoughts of her eight-year-old autistic son and make sense of his brief life.

Two women, each cast adrift by unforseen events in their lives, meet by accident on a Nantucket beach and are drawn into a friendship.
Olivia is a young mother whose eight-year-old sev ...more

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Hardcover, 309 pages

Published September 25th 2012 by Gallery Books (first published September 1st 2012)

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Sep 30, 2012 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2012-bwahaha-crumble-under-the-writ, 2012-new-to-me-authors

I'm almost not sure what to say....

I have cried my way through this book. Wanting to climb into my son's high bed and hold him close.

This book is eerily similar to my life. So very much.

I have 2 sons. Both Autistic. One, the youngest, almost Asperger's. My eldest... Now 11, is non-verbal, eats with his fingers, adores "Mighty Machines" and "Bob the Builder", loves his chips... And steals everyone's hearts.

I am a photographer. A desperate move on my part, needing to find some source of income y ...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Lis rated it liked it

I did like this book but not as much as Genova's first two books (Still Alice and Left Neglected), which I loved.

I found the parallel-story/channeling aspect of the book a peculiar way to tell the story of an autistic boy (though it did allow us to see a parent's experience as well as the boy's experience). I found the "voicing" of the boy who couldn't speak rather unconvincing: I didn't experience it as what an autistic boy would actually be thinking, but always as what an author is imagining ...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Nance rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, favorites, nance-rr-2012-challenge, autism, books-read-2012, tearjerkers

First, I just want to say ”thank you” to Ms. Genova for writing a book about autism. Regardless if this is a book of fiction, I found myself re-living daily episodes from the past 19 years with my own son. The author really did her research well. It just gave me a sense of peace that I haven’t felt in a long time. I could relate to the main character, Olivia who constantly questions - “Why my son?”, “Why my family?”, “Was it something I did wrong while I was pregnant?”, and “Will we ever find ou First, I just want to say ”thank you” to Ms. Genova for writing a book about autism. Regardless if this is a book of fiction, I found myself re-living daily episodes from the past 19 years with my own son. The author really did her research well. It just gave me a sense of peace that I haven’t felt in a long time. I could relate to the main character, Olivia who constantly questions - “Why my son?”, “Why my family?”, “Was it something I did wrong while I was pregnant?”, and “Will we ever find out the true answer?”. Every day in this world we are faced with destruction, chaos, and tragedy – just trying to pick up the pieces for a life gone wrong. But autism does not come from life’s hard-knock choices. It comes from the unknown - a force yet to be reckoned with. So how do we live through the challenges of not knowing what’s in store with our innocent trusting children? Day by day, that’s how – knowing and hoping that you’re making the right choices for them because that is all they have in their corner – you!

This book didn’t just deal so much with the medical and scholastic aspects of autism. It dealt a lot with the feelings that come with having a child diagnosed with this life-long tragedy. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and meaningful. Now some people have criticized the author’s novel for having too many unnecessary details that were not needed to enrich the story. Well I, for one, thought that the details were important and necessary. It made the story more believable...because, after all, we all have a life to live. I have three other children, and life couldn’t be more hectic. I had to learn to spread myself pretty thin when they were young, and my husband held a job that was very demanding and time-consuming. Now, life is a little easier because my kids are 21, 19, 17, and 16. Without those extra details present in the book, it wouldn’t have shown how autism can have a huge impact on anyone who comes in contact with the disability, not just family members. For example in my experience, I have had people not be able to talk to me or look me in the eye when they first found out about what my son was dealing with, and other times, people wanted to know everything – they were just so interested and supportive. People’s reactions were weird at times. Some people treated my son like any other child, not drawing unwanted critical attention to him, and other people looked like they were scared to death, and didn’t know how to treat him. You never knew what people were going to think or blame you for when they didn’t really know what was really going on. I had people scream at me to take him home when he was having a episode in public, and other people offering their help. I was always surprised one way or the other. And, that’s exactly how Olivia is portrayed in the book when faced with awkward situations from her son, Anthony.

I absolutely loved the book-within-a-book idea. The other main character, Beth, writes a novella told by Anthony, while also living through her own more intimate family crisis. It’s written from his point-of-view. It was simply magical! After reading numerous books and looking up things on the internet for years, it just gave me a different incite as to how these children think and learn. What’s in their head is such a mystery. One minute you think you know what they are thinking because of a past episode, and the next minute, you’re scratching your head saying, “How can that be? It wasn’t like that the last time.” It definitely always keeps you on your toes and constantly keeping your brain in working order. There’s never a dull moment. It’s not all about the tough times, though. It’s also about the happy ones – seeing progress right before your very eyes when looking back through the years. The first word spoken – years later than a normal child, but spoken nonetheless. The first time they actually look in your eyes – not very often, but when it does happen, you’re so excited that just maybe you’re getting through that barrier built from the inside out. And, of course, the first hug – perhaps they will feel, just a smidge, how much they’re loved.

On that note, I just want to acknowledge to Ms. Genova how much I enjoyed her novel. It was inspiring and moving. It was beautiful and mesmerizing. But most of all, for me it was home.This is the life that my son lives each and every day. Every morning he gets up and takes on the same routine – something that feels comfortable and calming to him. You never know what that particular day will be like – good or bad. But I do know this, whatever it takes, he can count on us to do our finest; whatever he needs, we will provide it the most superb way we can; and, whatever makes him happy, we will always have his best interests at heart.

As the reader, you will probably need a few tissues to get you through the sad parts, but hopefully it will give you a better understanding of just what a child and a family goes through when autism is present in their everyday lives. It’s not easy, but you do it because you’re all your child has. I do believe that someday there will be a cure to unlock the mysteries surrounding this spectrum disorder that affects 1 in 88 children – autism. Until then, we just have to practice patience and understanding for these children who are just simply extraordinary in every way possible.

5/9/18 - Just an update - Autism affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys according to Autism Speaks - when will they find a cause for this heartbreaking disorder???? ...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Deb rated it liked it

Well, after waiting over a year for my beloved author Lisa Genova to write another book equal to Still Alice and Left neglected, I have to say I am severely disappointed. This book did not have what ever it was those books had. I felt for the two mothers/wives who were the main characters. There just wasn't enough character development. I didn't feel I knew them. After not writing for years, Beth sits down and this novel just comes to her. Yes, it's supposed to be magical but it didn't feel like ...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Nancy rated it really liked it

This one made me cry. I am not a crier. Given, I was sitting in ICU shortly after my husband had brain surgery so there may be a excuse. Or a correlation.

Lisa Genova possesses a brilliant resume. She is a scientist with many letters following her name. She must think pragmatically so I struggle to reconcile the other part of her, the one I forgot. Her beautiful writing style as she empathetically takes the reader through a neurological experience so profound and so emotional, I cried.

I haven't ...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Kimberly rated it it was ok

Back in September of 2011 I reviewed two books by amazing author, Lisa Genova. I have just finished her third book, "Love Anthony." Let me just jump right in and say this wasn't my favorite of the three by any means. I will tell you why, but first let me tell you about the book.

"Love Anthony" takes place on Nantucket Island, where it's busy with tourists and people with summer homes during the warm months and empty but for the locals who live their year-long during the cold winter months. Olivia Back in September of 2011 I reviewed two books by amazing author, Lisa Genova. I have just finished her third book, "Love Anthony." Let me just jump right in and say this wasn't my favorite of the three by any means. I will tell you why, but first let me tell you about the book.

"Love Anthony" takes place on Nantucket Island, where it's busy with tourists and people with summer homes during the warm months and empty but for the locals who live their year-long during the cold winter months. Olivia and her husband David purchased an 'investment' home which they visited during the summer with their son Anthony, who at the age of 3 was diagnosed with autism. When he was 8 Anthony died quite tragically, and two years later Olivia and David decided to separate. She moved to the Nantucket home to figure out the whys. Why was Anthony autistic? Why couldn't he communicate with her, tell her he loved her, allow a change in schedule? Why couldn't he look her in the eye? She spent her summer photographing families on the beach and filling in her time with reading the journals she kept while Anthony was alive.

Beth is a long-timer on the island, where she has been living year-round with her husband Jimmy and their three daughters. One afternoon her perfect life and marriage is ruined when she finds out Jimmy has been cheating on her. For a long time. With a co-worker. She kicks him out that day. In the months to follow, to busy her brain, Beth picks up something she hasn't worked on for many, many years; a book. Every day she finds solace in going to the library, sitting in "her" spot and writing her book, usually in long hand but occasionally on her daughter's tablet.

Here's the part of "Love Anthony" that bothered me:

Beth writes about a boy named Anthony who has autism. She writes it from his perspective, as if we are able to read his thoughts. He describes what it is like, how his mind works, why he does what he does. It's actually quite fascinating were it not for the fact that everything about Anthony is identical to Olivia's Anthony. His favorite things, what he eats, how he eats and basically how he compartmentalized. Absolutely everything.

As if she channeled him.

I won't tell you the rest of the book although most of it really is just filler and unnecessary background plots, because the book is worth reading if only to see Lisa Genova's interpretation of the mind of an autistic boy. It makes sense, the way she explains it. In fact, it's amazing how she describes autism from the perspective of the autistic without ever being able to really know.

So. Do I recommend this book? Yes and No. Yes for the Anthony pages which are really only a few, though amazing, but No for the rest of the content, which is a disappointment after Lisa's first two books which were so amazing.

Love Anthony ...more

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Feb 12, 2013 ☮Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2016

3.5 stars. All I knew about this book before was that it's about an autistic boy (or boy with autism, whichever you prefer), and that was it. I didn't even know much about autism. I now feel I have a much better understanding of it, or at least of one way in which it might present itself; so... Mission accomplished, Ms. Genova, as usual.

But I feel that wasn't her only mission. This was also about the amazing sisterhood of women, about rocky marriages, grief, feeling interminably isolated, ...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Jeanette (Again) rated it it was ok

Shelves: domestic-and-relationship-fiction, all-fiction

Genova went completely round the bend with this one. Most of the book is trashy chick lit. And the end is just cheesy. I mean one big cheese puff. (view spoiler)

The only redeeming thing that bumped i ...more

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Jul 19, 2012 Susan rated it really liked it

I won, I won, I won, I won, I won - picture the happy dance the Old Man does in A Christmas Story upon learning of his Major Award and that's me all over. I WON a copy of Love Anthony from a goodreads giveaway! Can't wait for it to get here:-D

So, obviously, I received a copy of this through goodreads first reads from Gallery Books. And it still makes me happy dance just to think about it. Thank you!

About a year ago I totally blasted Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury. As the mother of a 14 year old boy I won, I won, I won, I won, I won - picture the happy dance the Old Man does in A Christmas Story upon learning of his Major Award and that's me all over. I WON a copy of Love Anthony from a goodreads giveaway! Can't wait for it to get here:-D

So, obviously, I received a copy of this through goodreads first reads from Gallery Books. And it still makes me happy dance just to think about it. Thank you!

About a year ago I totally blasted Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury. As the mother of a 14 year old boy with autism, or 14 year old autistic boy if you prefer, it just didn't scan well for me. There were a number of reasons. Love Anthony sounds like it might be more of the same but somehow I found it so SO much better. If you have already read Lisa Genova, are interested in autism and can embrace (or even just overlook) the belief that the spirit or spiritual presence of a deceased child could guide an author's writing then jump right in, you will not be disappointed. Four and a half stars.

Oh, disclaimer, this is a long one. Can't seem to sum it up.

This is overall a book about relationships, healing, accepting and moving on ... and not particularly in that order. I have read a truck load of books about autism, fact and fiction, it has been a central theme of my life after all, and somehow this one really captured something for me. Genova has captured so many of the feelings I have struggled with, wallowed in and even rejoiced in throughout our personal journey with autism. They are legion and range all over the place and I was so pleased to see them expressed so well through Olivia's journal and memories.

Much to my surprise I also enjoyed Anthony's voice. I had fears it would be just a little too precious but somehow it worked. We too have often wondered, in serious, deep moments of questioning, and the crazy making, frantic "what does he need just to shut up and be calm for a minute" moments and in lighthearted, joking moments, just what IS going on inside the head of our boy. We've come a very long way in our ability to understand the Language of Stims and Acting Out as well as the Language of Significant Looks and sometimes it is truly comical to see the expressions on his face - they are so typically teen - he has truly mastered the "Really, Mom?" look. But he is completely non verbal and resists all other forms of communication (PECS, sign language, even his iTouch) so we mostly are just guessing, always guessing.

One of the hardest things about autism is accepting that the life you expected is not going to happen. There will be some improvements, some delightful surprises but there will disappointments and set backs too. Once we had the diagnosis we too set about trying to help our boy progress. Some things are better than we imagined back in those first weeks and months. Some things we hoped for, still hope for, still work towards, have not happened. A couple times each year I bang my head up against my own personal wall of expectations and spend a week or so feeling not quite but getting close to hopeless as some new behavior manifests and I realize that words like stimming and perseverating (it's a fancy word for obsessing) are now a permanent part of my vocabulary. That I really am going to have to go to another meeting about my child, my formerly sweet, passive, compliant child attacking one of the para educators at school. Or exposing himself on the school bus. That we may never achieve independent toileting and that it's quite possible I'm not going to get a "Mom, I love you," even in ASL without someone else making him do it.

I know in my head that my kiddo loves me and appreciates me but, but. But. It's been a long road to realizing, really accepting this particular limitation and becoming grateful that autism has truly taught me something about what it takes to love unconditionally, without expectation. I thought when I fell in love with my spouse that I had an inkling of what that meant and when I gave birth to my three typical children that I really and truly understood unconditional love. Not so but I'm getting there. We're getting there.

My thanks to Lisa Genova for providing another little piece of the getting there and another window into the world of autism. Excellent read. ...more

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Jul 21, 2012 TamElaine rated it liked it

I’ve never been more excited about a book, than this one....I waited for its release date and purchased it the minute it went on sale....I thought the story line of the book as promised in the synopsis was ingenius....I had read blog posts by the author whose writing I just knew I would love, even though I had not yet had time to try her other books.

The story pulled at my heartstrings as Olivia’s story begins to unfold...as we meet Anthony through her eyes, it is obvious to conclude the author h I’ve never been more excited about a book, than this one....I waited for its release date and purchased it the minute it went on sale....I thought the story line of the book as promised in the synopsis was ingenius....I had read blog posts by the author whose writing I just knew I would love, even though I had not yet had time to try her other books.

The story pulled at my heartstrings as Olivia’s story begins to unfold...as we meet Anthony through her eyes, it is obvious to conclude the author has a solid knowledge of autism and probably even intimately knows a child much like Anthony....but Olivia’s story was interspersed with Beth’s story – struggling to cope with a cheating husband and suddenly becoming single - a story that, to me, did not deserve so much attention and drama. In only a few chapters I did not like Beth – could not connect with her at all, especially her immaturity. I don’t feel like I need to be in love with every character in order for the book to be good, but Beth’s connection to Olivia as the book moves on is integral and I think if I had liked Beth, this coming together of two characters might have had more impact....Instead I found Beth’s part of the book unmoving, dramatic, irritating, and unnecessary in moving the story forward to the point where the women connect...I found myself wanting to skip over the chapters involving her to get to Olivia’s story....instead we spent way too much time with Beth getting dressed or eating. I feel like the point at which the two women’s stories connect could have happened much sooner and allowed for more Anthony, more emotion. But once the two women did meet, Beth admittedly did seem to grow from the experience.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but there were two parts of the book that may very well be life-changing for me..... one was the very last chapter, the epilogue of Beth’s book – With every line of that last letter as written from Anthony, I wept harder...My heart, my chest, my throat, my face, my eyes pulsated with something so painful, yet so beautiful and happy at the same time....This letter can stand on its own...it did not need to be part of a book....and if there is one thing every Mom with a child of Autism should know, it’s the perspective written within that letter....I finished this book on the way to see family, in the car as my husband was driving....my son (my version of Anthony) was not with us...he could not have coped with the outing we were making today....I’ve never longed for him so much as I did after reading this book....

And the second......As a Mom of 3 children with autism, I’m always trying to figure out what my children are thinking, trying to understand their thought process....I think I’ve come up with some good theories, but I believe the passage about Anthony's brain being made up of different rooms is the best I've ever read and one I could never have contrived myself...This passage, several paragraphs long is a solid 5 stars !

Thank you Lisa for your book, but mostly, thank you for the last chapter, for the perspective I needed to hear more than any other ! It is a letter I will read over and over again ! ...more

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Jul 06, 2015 ❀Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library

My review of this book may be biased because this story affected me personally, but it delivered a heartfelt message and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While the book deals with loss, I felt the author handled the topic with sensitivity and compassion, weaving in the themes of healing and unconditional love, and at the same time educating the reader on the topic of autism. It is a compelling story of two women and a connection that will change their lives, but it was Olivia and her son’s story that we My review of this book may be biased because this story affected me personally, but it delivered a heartfelt message and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While the book deals with loss, I felt the author handled the topic with sensitivity and compassion, weaving in the themes of healing and unconditional love, and at the same time educating the reader on the topic of autism. It is a compelling story of two women and a connection that will change their lives, but it was Olivia and her son’s story that went straight to my heart. Being the mom of a child with Down Syndrome, this story spoke to me on a profound level, as I was able to relate to a lot of the behaviors and challenges that Olivia faced raising her son, Anthony. [Mild spoiler:(view spoiler)]

There were lots of fillers and the story could perhaps have even been a little too pat, but still I liked how the author weaved in Beth's story to support Olivia’s and Anthony's. The minor imperfections were completely overshadowed by the culmination of Olivia’s and Anthony’s story, which moved me to tears. What will stay with me is the author’s ability to fully grasp what it can be like communicating with and raising a child who is nonverbal or lacking verbal skills. And what could have been perceived as horrifying in raising a child with these challenges has instead been beautifully portrayed, and in ways I could not have imagined expressing.

The Epilogue had such an important part in making this story an outstanding and completely satisfying read. I had to stop every few sentences to wipe my tears. I highly recommend this beautiful and insightful book, especially to anyone who has someone in their lives with special needs, but it is a book for everyone and will hopefully make you appreciate every life! ...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Elyse Walters rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, women

Wow....
Where to begin....

Lisa Genova's books are worth reading! PERIOD! (She is making a difference)---blending stories with read life medical conditions.

In *Still Alice* and *Left Neglected* --the voice & narrator comes from people living with the medical condition they each have. (Dementia in *still Alice*, and a Neurological Syndrome in *Left Neglected*).

In *Love Anthony*,--The narrator of the story does not have the medical condition (Autism) ---but as she uncovers 'her' voice' (side plot: ...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Maureen rated it did not like it

Shelves: gave-up-on

This book was poorly conceived and poorly executed. The characters were cliched and lacking in any sort of depth. The plot was trite and the dialogue overwrought. This book is a huge disappointment after the author's Still Alice and Left Neglected, which were both excellent and very good respectively. If you are a huge Genova fan and can get this book from your library or borrow it for free from someone, then I would give it a try, but I am afraid you will be very upset if you purchase this book ...more

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May 15, 2012 Brenda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-release, own-read, contemporary-fiction

Olivia Donatelli’s life was shattered. Her wonderful, beautiful but autistic son, Anthony had died. The doctors said she couldn’t have done anymore, but she always wondered. Her marriage to David was also over, the tensions, pressures and finally Anthony’s death had broken them. They were still friends, but even though they continued to love each other, the heartache was too deep for their marriage to survive. So Olivia had left the family home and arrived at their cottage in Nantucket, alone, l ...more

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Apr 09, 2020 Sallie Dunn rated it really liked it

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. My first foray into anything about Autism, here’s a heartfelt story about a woman named Olivia whose son has recently passed. Needless to say he suffered from this tragic diagnosis. The story is also about Beth, who is recently separated from her husband because of his infidelity. Needless to say, these two ladies’ lives cross paths, and they learn a lot from each other. This is a warm and compassionate tale that would appeal to anyone who knows or has a family member with autism. Havi ...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Barb rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: vine, gave-it-a-try-and-then-gave-up

I like to read historical fiction but every now and then I find a novel of contemporary fiction or a memoir that grabs my attention and I give it a try. More often than not my book club chooses something out of my preferred genre and I that's how I read something different. Which is why I read Lisa Genova's 'Still Alice' this spring. I was totally blown away by that book, I can honestly say I have never read a book that moved me as much as that did. I thought the realism was amazing, it was so w ...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Carol rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: medical, ebook, womens-fiction, read-2015

3.5 Stars

It took me a while to become truly interested, but once Beth began writing 'her thoughts' of a young boy with autism from his own perspective of the world in which he lives, I was hooked.

In this heartfelt work of fiction, the precious gift of a story from one broken-hearted wife and mother to another ultimately brings answers to uncertainty and hope for new beginnings.

Lisa Genova does a great job of expressing the true meaning of "unconditional" love in this rewarding read.

...more

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Sep 24, 2017 Sherri Thacker rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-books-that-i-loved

Holy cow! What did I just read? This book ... is full of so much emotion. The ending got me! I had to walk away, get a tissue and come back. Tearful ending but oh so beautifully written! Another beautiful book by the wonderful Lisa Genova. She really is a genius and I devour everything she has written. Just fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jul 26, 2012 Diane S ☔ rated it it was ok

This book did not work for me. The character of Elizabeth, could have been written for the dramatic interplay found on most soap operas. Although there were a few poignant moments with the character of Olivia, the long drawn out descriptions quickly overwhelmed the few choice moments. I just didn't connect with either of these characters and this novel almost seemed overly written and overly dramatic in a somewhat snarly way. I did love her first few books so will definitely read her next. ARC f ...more

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Oct 27, 2014 Ginger rated it really liked it

Wow! Lisa Genova does it again.

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Feb 01, 2013 Judy D Collins rated it it was amazing

This book was Amazing!! My first book by Lisa Genova, and will be reading the other two as soon as possible! I loved the author’s usage of words to describe each scene in detail, which puts you in the setting as if you were experiencing its first hand-- from the items in a room, the senses, feelings, touch – making it so real and powerful!

This was a poignant, powerful, and heartfelt story of two women--their paths crossing at a time with strength from each other without knowing it. Olivia, mothe ...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Cathe Fein Olson rated it liked it

I am a big fan of Genova, especially her first book 'Still Alice', so I was very excited to get her latest. In 'Love Anthony', two women--Beth and Olivia--living on Nantucket Island, are both going through divorces. They don't know each other at the beginning of the book, but little by little their stories intertwine. It is the story of Olivia's autistic son Anthony that brings them together.

This book pulled me right in. Genova is a great writer and storyteller. But as the book progressed, the s ...more

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Aug 25, 2013 Debbie "DJ" rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, favorites, feel-good, mental-health

Just finished this wonderful book, and still have tears in my eyes. Lisa Genova is such an incredible author. This story centers around the lives of two women, both looking for answers to some of life's most challenging questions. Although the story seems predictable, as we know their lives will become intwined, it still touched my heart in a way few books do. One woman, Olivia, is searching for answers in the death of her autistic son. The other, Beth, is in the midst of a dissolving marriage, ...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Jim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Okay, I cried.

If you haven't read Genova's previous book -- "Still Alice" -- then read that first and then come to this book; that process will enable you to trust in her writing -- because you'll need to where we're going.

This book has many flaws which you may, as I did (by virtue of Still Alice), regard as beautiful imperfections.

I was in the middle of reading several other books (as usual) but I stopped to read this - hardly page-turner territory I'll admit although you'll want and need to ...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Marialyce rated it really liked it

Shelves: march-2013

This is the third book of Ms Genova that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. Ms Genova has the ability both through her educational training and her spot on character development, to write stories that are extremely meaningful and ever so realistically true.

This time out, Ms Genova tackles in a very humane and intelligent manner the concept of autism and its effect on the family. Anthony, the son, is severely autistic and his mother tries desperately to make a connection, any connection to her s ...more

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Jan 17, 2015 Carol Brill rated it liked it

Beth is the mother of three daughters who suddenly learns her marriage is not what it seems. Trying to reconnect with herself, she starts writing a story about a fictional child with autism.
Olivia's life hasn't been normal since her son, Anthony, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Love Anthony is told alternating between Beth and Olivia's Points of View. For more than half of the book, it felt more like two separate stories to me. Around 100 pages in, it became clear how the characters woul ...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Kelli rated it liked it

Lisa Genova is clearly intelligent and an outstanding writer. I found aspects of this book brilliant, especially her description of the brain being divided into rooms. Not having any experience with autism, I found her voice to be a logical explanation of how an autistic child might think and that alone is an enormous gift to all of us. She deserves five stars for those passages, for tackling such a challenging topic, for making it understandable to all. I cried my eyes out at the end. With all ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Dawn rated it did not like it

I was shocked and somewhat offended that Lisa Genova would produce this piece of schlock. I LOVED "Still Alice" and was looking forward to the insights this neuroscientist and author would bring to autism. There was no true information here, only suppositions. These are based on, what I would have to assume, is limited interaction with children with autism. This could have been an important contribution to autism, unfortunately it was emotionally manipulative, amateurish, pandering, "chick lit" ...more

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Aug 02, 2018 Dianne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: education-parenting, favorites, spirituality

I’m adding this book to my list of 5 star favourites. If you know any woman who is the mother to a child with special needs then perhaps you could mention this story to her.
Two women, both mothers, are struggling with complicated relationships with their marriage partners. What began as happy, loving partnerships, parents who loved each other and their mutual children has turned into adults who are in states of despair. Both couples have separated. The wives will become friends who help each ot ...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Luanne Ollivier rated it it was amazing

I've been regularly putting out Lisa Genova's last book, Left Neglected, as one of my staff picks. It's usually signed out by someone the very same day. And when I check it in, I put it right back out. I've been waiting for another book from Genova. (and so have lots of my patrons!)

Well the wait is over. Love Anthony releases today - and boy oh boy, was the wait worth it! Another absolutely fantastic read from this New York Times best selling author.

Genova sets her latest book in Nantucket. It' I've been regularly putting out Lisa Genova's last book, Left Neglected, as one of my staff picks. It's usually signed out by someone the very same day. And when I check it in, I put it right back out. I've been waiting for another book from Genova. (and so have lots of my patrons!)

Well the wait is over. Love Anthony releases today - and boy oh boy, was the wait worth it! Another absolutely fantastic read from this New York Times best selling author.

Genova sets her latest book in Nantucket. It's the story of two women, whose lives connect in a way they couldn't imagine.

Olivia has retreated to the island - she and her husband have separated after the death of their son autistic son Anthony. Olivia is struggling with her grief and is still trying to understand and give meaning to her son's short life.

"She scoured every self-help book, then every medical journal, every memoir, every blog, every online parent support network. She read Jenny McCarthy and the Bible. She read and hoped and prayed and believed in anything claiming help, rescue, reversal, salvation. Somebody somewhere must know something. Somebody must have the key that would unlock her son."

Another island resident, Beth, is also struggling. Her husband of fifteen years and father to her three daughters has been having an affair for the last year. They too have separated. With her life turned upside down, Beth is also looking for answers.

"But who is she? She's Jimmy's wife, and she's a mother. And if she gets divorced, if she's no longer Mrs. James Ellis, and she's only a mother, then is there less of her? She fears this and feels it already, physically, as if a surgeon has taken a scalpel to her abdomen and removed a whole and necessary part of her. Without Jimmy, she doesn't recognize herself. How can that be? Whom has she become?"

And what connects the two? Anthony. In a very unusual way.

Genova has an amazing way with words. Her portrayal of Beth and Olivia was so realistic, I could imagine myself curled on their couches, listening to them try to work through things. Olivia's journals were especially poignant. Genova's exploration of marriage, motherhood, love and loss is so authentic. The island setting sprang to life with her details. The description of Anthony's stones was palpable and I will never look at a smooth white stone at the beach quite the same.

Anthony's 'voice' was truly wonderful. Genova's exploration and imagining of a non verbal autistic child's thoughts was by turns heartbreaking and heartwarming. As Genova holds a PhD in neuroscience, I like to think that she's not too far from the truth. I think readers will view autism with new eyes and understanding after reading this book.

Some of the coincidences might seem a bit too serendipitous for some readers, but didn't detract from the story for me. For, it is a story - but on the other hand, who says such things couldn't happen?

Genova caught me from the opening chapters and held me rapt until I turned the last page. The final chapters had me reaching for the tissue box. And really, past that, as I thought about Love Anthony long after I finished.

This is one that will be on my staff picks for a quite a while. (until I replace it with the fourth book Genova is working on.) ...more

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Play Book Tag: Love Anthony by Lisa Genova 3 stars	2	11	Feb 10, 2021 06:24PM
Play Book Tag: Love Anthony - Lisa Genova - 4 stars	1	18	Jun 06, 2017 06:04AM
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About Lisa Genova

Lisa Genova

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Lisa Genova graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude from Bates College with a degree in Biopsychology and has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University.

Acclaimed as the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science, Lisa has captured a special place in contemporary fiction, writing stories that are equally inspired by neuroscience and the human spirit. She is the New Yo ...more