Still Alice (original 2007; edition 2009)

Still Alice is told in the first person by Alice a Psychology professor who comes to learn that she has early onset Alzheimer's. At first she tries to tough it out and beat the disease, she refuses to tell her husband or grown children. As her symptoms worsen she has to prepare to loose herself. This was a wonderful but heart rendering book. Very good, very scary. ( )

Just read it!
Has, Is, Will Affect someone you know or yourself.
Written by a neuroscientist, and so realistic, I kept forgetting it was a novel.
I suggest it's on a 'must-read' list.
Read in 2011.
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The main character has early onset Alzheimer's. I don't know much about the disease, but I found this book to be very interesting. If it's accurate, it gives good insight to what a person goes through as well as the family.

A movie about Alz, Away from Her, was amazing. It seemed to be a much better view of the disease. I found it leaving a more lasting impression of alzheimer's --the actor's performances were moving. ( )

Extraordinary depiction of early onset Alzheimer's disease ( )

My online book discussion group chose this book, and I'm so glad they did.  The Alice of the title is Alice Howland, a 50-year-old respected psychology professor at Harvard, with a fellow-professor husband, John, and three adult children.  She's busy with her career (teaching, research, and speaking engagements) and in good shape from her frequent running.  She starts having small moments of forgetfulness, and on a run one day momentarily forgets the way home.  She shrugs it off as early menopause, but as the symptoms worsen and she seeks medical help, she learns their cause:  early-onset Alzheimer's.

In the next two years, Alice's condition rapidly deteriorates.  The sad part is, because of her background, Alice knows what's going on.  She participates in a trial for a new medication, and makes some decisions on her own about her career.  Her illness has a genetic component, and it's interesting to read why her children do (or don't) decide to get tested.  Her husband reacts in ways that are understandable in some aspects and puzzling in others.  Reading this book is both sobering and heartbreaking.

Author Lisa Genova has a degree in neuroscience from Harvard herself, bringing insight to the story from Alice’s point of view.  Genova initially self-published the book as she was told its appeal would be limited; ultimately the book reached the top ten in sales.  The book has been endorsed by the National Alzheimer's Association, and is accurate in portraying the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and eventual outcome (currently) of early onset Alzheimer's.  Makes me want to donate to help find a cure for this disease. 

We had an excellent discussion of this book online, and I think it would be good for book clubs who can stomach the topic.  Highly recommended.

© Amanda Pape - 2013

[This book was borrowed from and returned to my local public library.] ( )