Still Alice by Lisa Genova is the story of a Harvard professor, Alice, who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This book was completely fascinating and I could not put it down. The author’s decision to have the person with Alzheimer’s narrate the story is particularly effective. As Alice begins to forget and repeat things you feel like you are experiencing it at the same time.
Is it sad? Yes. There can’t be a happy ending for a disease with no cure; but I didn’t find it to be depressing. Alice is given the chance to really focus on her family and what they mean to her. After reading it I felt like I understood just a tiny bit more of what this disease does to people.
Has anyone seen the movie yet? Apparently Julianne Moore is fantastic and she’s the front-runner for the Oscars this year.