Inside the O'Briens in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Jan 02, 2016 Amy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really enjoyed reading this book. As always Genova does an incredible job of teaching the reader about a medical problem, in this case Huntington's Disease, through her writing. This story told through the eyes of the father Joe and his daughter Katie was very moving. It showed the entrapment of the disease and how it can affect an entire family. Living in the Boston area I enjoyed the connection of the story evolving here. Like Still Alice I think this is movie material! ...more

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Jun 07, 2015 Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2015, favorites

I devoured this book, I don't even know why. Medicine, even in novels, is not usually interesting to me. The little I know about Huntington's I've gleaned from "House" - the character Remy Hadley has it. And actually, I think that this author, also a Lisa, looks kind of like Cuddy!

Lisa Genova has written a crew of realistic and believable characters. I felt true sympathy for them as they work through Joe's diagnosis, and the repercussions it brings to other family members, one not yet even born ...more

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Aug 15, 2019 Kristin rated it really liked it

As with previous books I've read, 'Left Neglected' and 'Still Alice', 'Inside the O'Briens' is a fictional look at how a devastating neurological diagnosis affects the main character, in this case Boston cop Joe O'Brien. In this case, the elephant in the room is Huntingdon's Disease, a genetic condition passed down from one generation to the next that leaves Joe prone to outbursts of anger and involuntary movements. What scares Joe most of all is that he watched his mother die of the disease, th As with previous books I've read, 'Left Neglected' and 'Still Alice', 'Inside the O'Briens' is a fictional look at how a devastating neurological diagnosis affects the main character, in this case Boston cop Joe O'Brien. In this case, the elephant in the room is Huntingdon's Disease, a genetic condition passed down from one generation to the next that leaves Joe prone to outbursts of anger and involuntary movements. What scares Joe most of all is that he watched his mother die of the disease, though at the time, everyone attributed it to alcoholism, so he knows what the future holds for him and maybe also his 4 grown children, each on their own life path, but with a 50% chance of having that course drastically altered.
Being in their 20's, the children likely have another 15 or 20 years before they start showing symptoms, so it's up to them to decide whether to have the genetic testing that will give them a solid 'yes' or 'no' answer. Older son Joe Jr., J.J. for short, is a Boston firefighter and newlywed hoping to start a family of his own, but should he test positive, would his Catholic upbringing allow him to genetically screen embryos for Huntingdon's and what to do with any that would test positive? Younger son Patrick is a free spirit, already living a life of partying hard and staying out late, so is a disease that probably won't affect him for another couple decades going to kill him before his own choices do? Older daughter Meghan is a ballerina whose star is on the rise, and Joe can't bear the thought of his spastic Huntingdon's movements manifesting themselves in his little girl, ending her career in its prime. Katie, the baby of the family, is sick of living in Meghan's shadow and looking to strike out on her own and leave the apartment building she shares with her parents and siblings, but with HD looming over her head, is moving far away a wise choice? If she's positive, she'll have no family support and could end up misjudged like her grandma, but if she's negative, shouldn't she remain home to care for her father, and potentially any of her older siblings should they test positive, rather than leave that burden to her mother?
Genova tells the story of the family really well, both playing out the story of Joe, who readers know has the disease, as he slowly adjusts to the changes it is inflicting on his life, as well as his kids, where the mystery remains of who has it and who doesn't, and the choices they make in terms of taking the testing or opting to go on with their lives not knowing. The focus is mainly on Katie, who seems to have the most uncertainty about what to do, but in telling her story, those of her siblings weave in and out nicely. I truly don't know what I'd do, because I think it would gnaw at me not knowing, but if I was to find out I was positive, would I deprive myself of a normal life just waiting for the HD symptoms to set in?
I've enjoyed Genova's other books, and this one lived up to that standard. Definitely will keep my eyes open for any more of her works at my local library or book sales. ...more

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Mar 31, 2015 Sara rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015-reads

As with her other books, Genova sheds light on a medical condition and how it affects those involved. I feel she captured Huntington's well and I definitely learned a lot about the disease. However, I never felt like the surface was more than scratched in terms of how the characters dealt with the disease. Joe, the main character who has the disease, never seems to really have feeling about it - symptoms yes, emotions not so much. The same can be said for his wife and 4 children. Katie is the on ...more

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Oct 09, 2015 Beth Given marked it as shelved

Usually I give books a three-strikes-you're-out chance with the f-word, but this one had it in the first paragraph. Ugh. I might be persuaded to give this another try if someone previews it for me, for language - usually Genova's books only have a handful of swear words so I might give it a second chance. ...more

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Mar 24, 2015 Rebecca Heneghan rated it really liked it

Good book to bring awareness to an awful disease. I found myself doing an ugly cry as I was reading during my kids swimming lessons. I like the ending but won't give a spoiler.

Not sure if I will sign up for her next book about ALS. ...more

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