Still Alice in Love Never Forgets

Jan 25, 2015 Crystal rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015, 5-star-books, psychology

Still Alice takes you on an incredible journey through the progression of Early Onset Alzheimer's. It's about a Psychology professor who is diagnosed at the age of 50. While I have never personally known anyone with Alzheimer's, I believe Lisa Genova successfully captured the spirit and complex emotions of someone who is experiencing it. While there are many stories about people dealing with family members who have a fading psyche, it's rare to find one that is so intricate and descriptive from Still Alice takes you on an incredible journey through the progression of Early Onset Alzheimer's. It's about a Psychology professor who is diagnosed at the age of 50. While I have never personally known anyone with Alzheimer's, I believe Lisa Genova successfully captured the spirit and complex emotions of someone who is experiencing it. While there are many stories about people dealing with family members who have a fading psyche, it's rare to find one that is so intricate and descriptive from the view of person who was actually diagnosed. This is because as the book explains, by the time someone is that far gone, they don't have the cognitive ability to express their feelings and battles with other people.

I almost didn't read this book for 2 reasons:
1) I thought since it was written by a Neuroscientist that it would have way too much medical jargon that would take away from the story.
2) I thought I would feel disconnected from the story since I have absolutely no experience with Alzheimer's patients.

I have to say that I was wrong, and I'm glad I decided to read it. There was a perfect amount of medical jargon that added to the story... and I felt anything but disconnected from it. I felt so deeply for Alice through this entire story, I kept feeling the inkling to go to a nursing home and hug all of the Alzheimer's patients. I kept thinking about the ones that aren't lucky enough to have family like Alice. Her struggle was so intense and difficult even with emotional and financial support.

As the disease progressed the book became increasingly emotional. I laughed and I cried... but mostly cried. At times her husband seemed like a jerk, and others he seemed like a knight in shining armor. I feel like it was the most honest picture of a spouse as a caregiver. Frustrated, exhausted, and helpless, but deeply in love. I recommend this book to anyone, whether you have experience with Alzheimer's or not. You will never look at Alzheimer's the same way ever again. It's moving, powerful, and emotional. I don't say this often, almost never actually, but I felt that this book was absolutely perfect. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 07, 2010 Carol rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010

This book goes to the inside of a person with Alzheimers' experience. Having an aunt,a grandmother, a cousin, an uncle whi died from this and a dear friend now going through its horrors makes this an important book to me.
The main character seemed so real that I wanted to hug and to talk to her. It is too bad that there is still is a stignma to this disease because that stigma prevents so much healing and comfort. Every should read this book. ...more

1 like · Like · see review