Page Thirty-Five

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

I kept hearing about this New York Times Bestseller and finally decided to pick it up and read it. Once I began page 1, I could not put this book down. The book is about a fifty-year old woman, Alice Howland, who is a renowned and respected doctor of psychology at Harvard University, specifically in the study of linguistics. Her research has taken her all over the world to lead seminars, her apptitude for teaching is noted by her students, and she has published much research and co-wrote a novel with her husband, John. She has three grown children who are all established in their careers, a summer home, and is, as she states, in the best physical condition of her life.

Alice's world comes to a crashing halt, however, when she is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. What was once second nature to her - teaching, speaking, lecturing, researching, writing - becomes a strenuous effort. Before embarrasing herself and ruining her reputation at Harvard, Alice decides to leave her once beloved position and battle a disease she has no chance in defeating. She must learn who she is after everything that made her who she is is taken away day by day.

This book is terrifying, gripping, emotional, and real. It is a must-read.