Another Alice

by Alice Peterson

Love, lust, boys and coursework - the main worries of a teenage girl? Not for eighteen-year-old Alice Peterson, who, at the height of her youth and an extremely promising tennis career, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. In the midst of shock and denial, and the enduring question, 'Isn't it old people who get arthritis?', Alice had to learn to live with what quickly turned from the odd ache and pain to a very aggressive form of the illness, and rediscover a new path in life. "Another Alice" is at times utterly heart-breaking, and at others laugh-out-loud. Here is her story of how, armed with humour and courage, she left behind a world she loved to overcome the pain of a degenerative illness. Told with wit, charm and frankness, "Another Alice" is also a story of friendship, family, growing up and the desire to be 'normal'. But, above all, it celebrates the power of the human spirit.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Health

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2001

About the author

At the age of eighteen Alice had been awarded a tennis scholarship to America when she experienced pain in her right hand. It was rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and she hasn’t picked up a tennis racket since, a sadness that shall always be with her. The theme of disability features in her fiction, but there is nothing gloomy about Alice or her work. Rather this gives her fiction the added dimension of true poignancy.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir that reads like a novel, Alice Peterson's memoir about the changed path of her life from up and coming tennis prodigy to patient with debilitating rheumatoid disease is a talr of perseverance and hope in the face of pain. The writing is excellent and the story telling very natural and readable. Readers will fins themselves rooting for, sympathizing with and falling in love with young Alice as she adjusts to living a life entirely different from what she'd always planned. Four stars.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Alice Peterson’s fiction books, and knowing a little bit about her personal background, I was eager to read her book Another Alice, a true story about how when she was at the height of a huge and promising tennis career, was then diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

I don’t want to say that I loved this book (even though I did!) because that doesn’t quite sound right, but it touched me and it moved me in a way that I haven’t felt in a while.

Alice is very honest about her life, and we see her go from a carefree tennis player with huge dreams of a career, to having to suddenly cope with a life-changing illness. I feel that I learnt so much about rheumatoid arthritis, and the way that Alice told her story made it feel as though I was with her every step of the way. We are given such an insight into not only the rheumatoid arthritis itself, but also the emotions, the pain and the hardships that go with it in Alice’s daily life. Having mobility problems myself, I really felt that I could identify with some of Alice’s feelings and frustrations, and so in particular I was gripped to the book wanting to read more of her journey.

I became so involved in the book – I was truly devastated for Alice as I read about the effect that her rheumatoid arthritis meant for her dreams of continuing playing tennis. When I was paralysed down one side I was only young so I didn’t then have hopes and dreams like Alice, but now I think of things I would have loved to achieve in my life that I will never do, and then my heart breaks for Alice all over again because I truly understand and feel her pain.

It is a very inspiring novel – Alice shows such courage, fight and bravery in her determination to pick herself up, move forward and make the most of her life, and turn the negatives into positives. Alice’s story touched my heart, had me crying freely and it stayed with me long after I had finished the last page.

I really admire Alice, she is a lovely person both inside and out and I’m so pleased that I was able to read her story and learn more about her. Alice encourages me and inspires me to take each day as it comes and to always look on the bright side, because no matter what, we always have hope, friends and something to smile about. This is a really touching and moving book and I hope everyone reads it.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born with arthritis and could never quite bring across to people just how much it affects you...... Reading Alice's A Will To Win was like reading a mirror image of myself..... It tells the true life story of a young girl, with a promising tennis career ahead of her.

Just as she is accepted for a scholarship in America, her body begins the journey of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

The book is so inspiring, it captures you, and on many occasions it's as if you are there with Alice sharing her experiences as she puts thoughts to paper. It has brought a rollercoaster of emotions, the thoughts, the feelings, the tears and even the laughter.

For many years I have longed for people to realise that arthritis is not part of aging.... it can affect anyone, any age...... and this book goes a long way in doing that. It is beautifully written and you will not want to put it down!

[Web · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this true story by Alice Peterson.

As a Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer, I truly related to her experiences. The way she described her illness and how she and the others around her coped was very easy to read and painted a very true story of what it is like.

The first half of the book is more a memoir of her childhood as a tennis champion: this was a very enjoyable story, and I found myself dying to find out when she won her matches. This then demonstrates how much she had to lose after getting her diagnosis. It does turn your life upside down and inside out.

I would recommend this to RA sufferers and their family and friends who'd like an insight into the reality of having this disease.

Thanks for sharing your story, Alice.

[Marion Roux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis is truly no joke. Being a sufferer of this dastardly illness for the last thirty odd years, I felt for and with her all the way through the book.
Everything she says is real and I commend her for spelling it out so well.

[robynluckystars · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mum has RA and gave me this book to read. Gives great hope for RA sufferers that you will eventually find your "magic drug" :)

[Lyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "The Saturday Place" and when I saw that Alice had written a memoir I knew I had to read it as well. I was not disappointed. Alice is a gifted writer and I cannot imagine what it would have been like for her to navigate all she did at such a tender age following her diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. To have to give up her dream of being a famous tennis player would have been devastating for Alice. But tennis's loss is a big gain for the literary world. Sharing the stories of those around her as she battled her illness added a personal touch and a reality check about just how hard it is to live with an illness, to care for a loved one, or be a friend or confidante. These are the people who get us through our struggle and their story deserves to be included. Thank you Alice.

[Lilou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Une histoire très touchante qui parle d'un sujet rarement abordé dans les romans YA, et nous montre avec précision le quotidien des personnes atteintes de personnes atteintes de mucovicidose.
Le personnage d’Alice est très inspirant, par sa force, sa détermination, et sa capacité à se battre et a toujours garder espoir.
Même si je n’apprécie pas trop ce style d’écriture, les changements de point de vue amènent du dynamisme a l’histoire.
Ce livre nous apprend surtout qu’être en bonne santé est un grand privilège qu’il ne faut pas gâcher, qu’il faut persévérer pour réaliser ses rêves et se battre pour atteindre ses objectifs.

Bonne lecture !

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice's story was very familiar in some ways and devastating in others. It is hard to be a young person struck down with an old person's disease, even harder I am sure to go from being a talented athlete to being unable to walk a short distance. There were some writing/ English errors, but they were not strong enough to distract fully from the strength of Alice's narrative.

[Rosemary Flower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice faces so much adversity which she faces with dogged determination to beat the RA so cruelly acquired at such a young age. She shares her journey in a very readable style - so glad she's found "Another Alice" by the end.

[Vicky Kidby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very powerful book

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book found hard to put down .

[Hazel Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Peterson describes situations evocatively and has a good eye for detail. She throws in an unusually acute observation and you want to keep reading. The contrast between being a promising athlete as an international tennis player and the instant lifestyle changes when Rheumatoid Arthritis is diagnosed, means she applied comparable persistence and single-mindedness.

I kept admiring her parents, who are the background of this story. Especially her encouraging mother who had another child with health issues. And the family expenses which must have been required. And the helpful older sister Helen. And even the Grandmother whose story inspired Alice's next book project.

The first half is about Alice's tennis aspirations and is fairly adolescently self- centred. But once diagnosed, the realistic challenges of daily life give an insider's view on frustration , strained friendships and the medical routines. The most revealing scene was when the university flat-mates said they could no longer help her to the same extent because they needed to concentrate on studying for their Finals. Her reaction shows the frustration which a shrinking world can have on a young person due to a debilitating condition which stops participation in daily social life. And the boyfriend scene where her inability to move easily affects sexual relationships is poignant.

Alice Peterson's bio is inspiring. And in person, she is charming. And her story has helped many. Highly recommended for families to read, especially those with members who have health issues which impact on all the family. The original book has been so popular it has been re-issued under the new title of Another Alice. What is most admirable is the way Alice Peterson has a new career as an author and public speaker. And her later fiction show her fine writing has been extended.

[Bookevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Why you would love this:
I was so thrilled when I received this in the post, I started on it immediately and I finished it the next day! That is how good it is. Although it is not fiction, but I think this book is definitely worth reading and I really enjoyed it.

Another Alice is a non-fiction, autobiographic novel written by a truly inspiring author. It focuses on Alice Peterson's life before and after it was plagued by rheumatoid arthritis. It's the story of a young girl's dreams to be the nation's golden girl in tennis but unfortunately severely shattered by the diagnosis of RA. It also discusses on how she coped with the disease with the help from her family and friends, and her rock-solid determination.

Another Alice is a wonderfully written, inspiring and uplifting book about handling the curve balls hurled at you by life. Overcoming each obstacle and challenge, it's a truly engaging and poignant book which you will be compelled to read on and on until you reach the end. I loved this book because it's taught me so much. Never take things in life for granted and never stop believing, even when you're at your lowest. Alice Peterson is truly an inspiration.

Rating: 8/10

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is a talented tennis player, and a determined young lady, apparently destined for stardom. She has excellent self-discipline, she is strong, and appears to have just the right amount of competitive spirit.

We follow Alice through six years where tennis becomes increasingly important to her. By the time she's eighteen, she's considered one of the top eight young players in the UK.

Then disaster strikes. This isn't unexpected: The first chapter describes her, at the age of 24, desperately hoping that she can have a trial of a new drug, since she has suffered from the disease for the past six years.

The latter two-thirds of the book chart the many vain attempts made to discover a drug - or combination of drugs - that can help her.

It's extremely well-written, almost as if it were a novel. By the time I'd finished I felt as if I knew Alice and her family well.

I learned a great deal about rheumatoid arthritis, and had quite an insight into the suffering of a young person - not just the physical pain, but the emotional and social problems that go alongside such an illness. I found some parts very moving.

Highly recommended.

[Laura of Lurking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having suffered from a condition that has severely restricted my movement and lifestyle since the age of eleven this book really struck a chord with me.

Written in a frank style,sometimes funny, sometimes heart wrenching, I think this is a biography that will affect anybody who reads it and will linger for a long time after the last page has been turned. A must read for everyone

[Samhazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG -- she has described the horrendous journey from diagnosis through acceptance and resignation perfectly. The death of dignity and the rearranging of your life, your hopes, dreams and expectations is all there. I just wish I could say that I am handling it all as well as she is.

[Natalia Gameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to sink into financial greed and suffering for light reading, and as a tale of health woe, this is a good 'un. Zippily paced, if you are at all curious about rheumatoid arthritis or just fancy spending a few hours being grateful that you don't have it, this is the read for you.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well worth reading. Sad and amazingly sensitive book. I enjoyed it right up to the last few pages, which I think should have been an appendix, but it was a great book.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and honest account if this lady's battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Emilyjmj · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first three quarters of the book were interesting and kept me reading. The last quarter was boring with no real ending and read like a health manual or something - very dull!

[June Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read heartbreaking keep tissues handy

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking... certainly was inspiring...