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Still Alice: A Novel Audiobook
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(4.00) - 74,290 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Can you imagine a world in which you spend your entire life working to be successful only to have your memories slowly deteriorate? In the Still Alice audiobook, by Lisa Genova, we get a unique look into the life of a prominent and prosperous Harvard professor who falls victim to the horrors of early-onset Alzheimer's Disease.
Alice Howland is a 50-year-old professor of cognitive psychology at Harvard University. In addition, she's the wife of a loving and successful husband and mother to three adult children. Alice is esteemed by her colleagues, loved by her friends, and adored by her family. However, she is unprepared for the tragedy that strikes when the sharpness of her mind, which she has depended on for years as a defining characteristic of her character, begins to dull.
The news from Alice's doctor regarding her diminishing memories isn't good. In fact, it's a shock for the family that they were unprepared for - especially given that Alice is still relatively young. As the unwanted diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's Disease is made, Alice comes face to face with experiencing a condition she has lectured on many times in her career. She never thought it would become her own reality. As her memories fade, and her world becomes more disoriented, Alice remains... through the pain and anguish that grips her and everyone she holds dear.
Lisa Genova offers us a painful, yet insightful view into the life of a beloved woman who is victimized by early-onset Alzheimer's Disease in her novel, Still Alice. Her other works, Left Neglected and Love Anthony also demonstrate her unique insight into raw human emotion when faced with life-changing diagnoses such as Alzheimer's Disease and Autism. Lisa continues to travel the world to raise awareness about Alzheimer's, and has appeared on CNN, Fox News and The Dr. Oz Show, among many others.
"Still Alice is a fascinating read about a 50-something woman's sudden descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease. Alice was a happily married woman with three grown children and a house on the Cape. She is a celebrated Harvard professor and is at the height of her career in neuroscience. This is a harrowing tale into what its like to literally lose your mind. I enjoyed Genova's telling of the story and her role as narrator. "
— Julie (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
In Lisa Genova’s extraordinary New York Times bestselling novel, an accomplished woman slowly loses her thoughts and memories to Alzheimer’s disease—only to discover that each day brings a new way of living and loving. Now a major motion picture starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kate Bosworth, and Kristen Stewart!
Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the Cape, is a celebrated Harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a forgetfulness creeping into her life. As confusion starts to cloud her thinking and her memory begins to fail her, she receives a devastating diagnosis: early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Fiercely independent, Alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle and live in the moment, even as her sense of self is being stripped away. In turns heartbreaking, inspiring, and terrifying, Still Alice captures in remarkable detail what it’s like to literally lose your mind...
Reminiscent of A Beautiful Mind, Ordinary People, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Still Alice packs a powerful emotional punch and marks the arrival of a strong new voice in fiction.
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Quotes
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“Heartbreakingly real…So real, in fact, that it kept me from sleeping for several nights. I couldn’t put it down…Still Alice is a story that must be told.”
— Brunonia Barry, New York Times bestselling author of The Lace Reader -
“After I read Still Alice, I wanted to stand up and tell a train full of strangers, ‘You have to get this book.’”
— Boston Globe -
“This book is as important as it is impressive, and will grace the lives of those affected by this dread disease for generations to come.”
— Phil Bolsta, author of Sixty Seconds -
“With a master storyteller’s easy eloquence, Lisa Genova shines a searing spotlight on this Alice’s surreal wonderland. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to read this book. It will inform you. It will scare you. It will change you.”
— Julia Fox Garrison, author of Don’t Leave Me This Way
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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An Indies Choice Book Award Debut Book of the Year nominee
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Selected for the January 2009 Indie Next List
Still Alice Listener Reviews
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Jennifer Araquistain , 2/4/2018
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" Excellent read. Moving. A look inside the life of brilliant woman who falls victim to early onset Alzheimer's disease. "
— Esther, 2/15/2014 -
" Fantastic book!! again, I highly recommend this for anyone who is in contact with someone with Alzheimer's. "
— Kim, 2/15/2014 -
" Great story! Emotional but gives you an insight of what people with Alzheimer's goes through. I'd recommend this book to all my friends! "
— Brittany, 2/12/2014 -
" Love this author. Such a thoughtful book about how Alzheimer's affects everyone! It was hard to put down as the characters were fascinating especially Alice. It was wonderful to what it might be like for the person affected by Alzheimer's. "
— Bonnie, 2/1/2014 -
" Having dealt with whis insidious disease more than once,I found it remarkable. "
— Anna, 1/29/2014 -
" This book altered my perception and changed the way I viewed this disease. Powerful. "
— Shelley, 1/29/2014 -
" Great author, great, clean book! "
— Patricia, 1/27/2014 -
" Reading about early onset Alzheimer's is rough. Rough. While reading this if it would take me longer than 2 seconds to think of something I can't help but wonder - am I a genetic carrier of the gene? I liked this book alright but the ending was dissatisfying and I felt like it failed in that sense. "
— Kristina, 1/26/2014 -
" Absolutely one of my favorite books. Hits home since my grandmother died of Alzheimer's. "
— Catherine, 1/21/2014 -
" Fantastic book! Couldn't put it down. Wish there was 100 more pages! "
— Lisa, 1/11/2014 -
" This is particularly hard to read if you have a loved one with any form of dementia. I would still recommend it. "
— Amy, 1/6/2014 -
" This book is so well written....I read it after my Moms battle with Alzheimer's . Cried through whole book but it was still a must read! "
— Meg, 1/6/2014 -
" I suggest everyone read. A bit sad but very informative about Alzheimer's. a real eye opener! "
— linda, 1/3/2014 -
" This was an amazing story about a woman diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers. Loved it! "
— Krguy, 12/18/2013 -
" Great book. I got in three fights with my husband because I was upset that he would have to help me through my imagined Alzheimer's days in the future, poor guy, this book gave me more mood swings than PMS. "
— Susanne, 12/17/2013 -
" Such a sad story.. but very good and interesting at the same time. It gives a perspective on Alzheimer's that I haven't really gotten in a book before. "
— Alicia, 12/7/2013 -
" If you know anyone with Alzheimer's this book is a must read. "
— Cynthia, 12/6/2013 -
" Still Alice was gripping and heartbreaking. "
— Lori, 6/24/2013 -
" Fascinating account of the progress of Alzheimer's through a person's life. Written in first person by a woman who works with Alzheimer's patients, after you read this book you will know that forgetting your keys is NOT the first sign of Alzheimer's... forgetting which street you live on is. "
— Judy, 5/22/2013 -
" Wow. This book kept me reading constantly, until the wee hours of the morning.. Twice. I finished it this morning at 3, and I couldn't stop thinking about it until I was able to get back to reading. I highly recommend this book. It gave me incredible insight that I did not have previously. "
— Mackenzie, 5/10/2013 -
" Hit a little close to home for me, but it was good at understanding the effects of Alzheimer's from the point of view of the patient. "
— Susan, 3/28/2013 -
" The scariest book I have ever read. A woman writes about her decent into the fog and frustration of Alzheimers. SO very realistic it is frightening. Fantastic book! I've recommended it to several friends and they all loved it as I did. "
— Bev, 2/25/2013 -
" Powerful and heart-wrenching book. Alzheimers is such a cruel disease, that pulls no punches. The family has been in my head all day and I found myself trying to remember all the details of the tests the main character was being administered to evaluate the disease's progression. "
— Megan, 8/14/2012 -
" Loved this book - is from the patients point of view! "
— Lisa, 8/2/2012 -
" This story is so depressing. That said, it is a fast read and a very moving story. If you want to know more about the early onset of Alzheimer's, then this is your book. It was well written and the characters are memorable. The story is still haunting me. "
— Laura, 6/12/2012 -
" Fantastic book. I couldn't put it down "
— Becca, 3/21/2012 -
" Powerful - can't stop thinking about it "
— Jen, 12/30/2011 -
" a fascinating book about someone suffering from Alzheimer's Disease - very uplifting and a brilliant read, I couldn't put it down. "
— Alexandra, 10/29/2011 -
" Very enlightening and difficult to put down. "
— Lynn, 10/23/2011 -
" I loved that this book was written from the perspective of Alice. "
— Lynn, 6/25/2011 -
" Heartbreaking, heartwarming and compelling. I could not put this book down. It's perspective is unique and necessary. I will never look at people with Alzheimer's they same way ever again. "
— Dollie, 5/24/2011 -
" This book was amazing. I can't imagine the difficulty of writing from a dementia patients point of view. It was beautifully written. "
— Christal, 5/24/2011 -
" I really love books that I feel help me be more understanding of situations or life circumstances I have not experienced. This was easily one of those. Tragic and well written. "
— Despain, 5/23/2011 -
" I loved this book. Perhaps because I'm getting older, but the question of how much of your faculties do you need to have to still be you is a great question, and it really showed the struggle from the point of the view of the person with alzheimers.... "
— Audrey, 5/23/2011 -
" I couldn't put this book down. I highly recommend it, especially if you work with or love someone who has Alzheimers. It presents a human, heart-wrenching view of the disease that makes me feel much more compassion for anyone with dementia. "
— Monika, 5/23/2011 -
" I thought it was very interesting how the author wrote from the perspective of the person with the alzheimers disease. It is a quick read and a page turner. It definitely game me more insight into this horrible disease. I highly recommend the book. "
— Brenda, 5/21/2011 -
" I think this book is almost flawless. Heartbreaking and very real. "
— Shereekjohnson, 5/21/2011 -
" What an amazing book! I was drawn in right away, and could feel the emotions of Alice. "
— Chelle, 5/20/2011
About Lisa Genova
Lisa Genova is the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including Still Alice, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning film. She graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University. Combining her knowledge as a neuroscientist and skills as a storyteller, she is also a sought-after speaker and edutainer. Her TED Talks on memory have been viewed over 11 million times, and she was featured in the PBS special Build a Better Memory Through Science. Visit her website LisaGenova.com or follow her on Instagram or Facebook @AuthorLisaGenova.