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)