Left Neglected

By: Lisa Genova

Narrated by: Sarah Paulson

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Sarah Nickerson is like any other career-driven supermom in Welmont, the affluent Boston suburb where she leads a hectic but charmed life with her husband Bob, faithful nanny, and three children—Lucy, Charlie, and nine-month-old Linus.

Between recruiting the best and brightest minds as the vice president of human resources at Berkley Consulting; shuttling the kids to soccer, day care, and piano lessons; convincing her son’s teacher that he may not, in fact, have ADD; and making it home in time for dinner, it’s a wonder this over-scheduled, over-achieving Harvard graduate has time to breathe.

A self-confessed balloon about to burst, Sarah miraculously manages every minute of her life like an air traffic controller. Until one fateful day, while driving to work and trying to make a phone call, she looks away from the road for one second too long. In the blink of an eye, all the rapidly moving parts of her jam-packed life come to a screeching halt.

A traumatic brain injury completely erases the left side of her world, and for once, Sarah relinquishes control to those around her, including her formerly absent mother. Without the ability to even floss her own teeth, she struggles to find answers about her past and her uncertain future.

Now, as she wills herself to regain her independence and heal, Sarah must learn that her real destiny—her new, true life—may in fact lie far from the world of conference calls and spreadsheets. And that a happiness and peace greater than all the success in the world is close within reach, if only she slows down long enough to notice.

©2011 Lisa Genova (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Imagine your too busy, over scheduled, Type A life coming to a screeching halt. That is what happens in Lisa Genova's timely new novel, Left Neglected. As her protagonist, Sarah Nickerson, works her way through a devastating brain injury and back into that hectic life, she is forced to re-evaluate what really matters. I dare any reader to not do the same in their own lives after reading this book." (Ann Hood)

"Devastating and hopeful, haunting and familiar, Left Neglected is a triumph of insight and empathy." (Stefan Merrill Block, international best-selling author of The Story of Forgetting and The Storm at the Door)

“Once again, Lisa Genova goes where few authors dare, and mines a compelling and beautifully written story about finding peace, wisdom and human connection. While Sarah Nickerson’s condition is rare, her journey is universal. “ (Lynn Kiele Bonasia, author of Summer Shift)

Another brain plot

Where does Left Neglected rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

About a 6-7

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well of course, the main character, but I did love her husband's loyalty and her mother stepping in

Have you listened to any of Sarah Paulson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Still Alice, which was outstanding

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Well she does make me cry with her deep thoughts and character development, but laughing is always a part of her writing.

Any additional comments?

Her characters are so well developed, and her narrative is excellent. Comparing the son's struggles to the mother's was most touching.

Good technique

it was very informative and addressed grief, forgiveness, an unusual disability, mother/child relationships, ego, and bullying. Theme was acceptance and being grateful for what you do have. But it was too long, and I found it hard to believe the marriage would have survived all the trials.

Relatable read

My husband has had three brain surgeries and has a left field vision cut and some left neglect. I could relate, and loved the overall message and the found peace in the end.

Very thought provoking

This was such a great insight on how our brains work. I found myself sharing many parts of the story with my husband so we could discuss different aspects of her struggles.
My only criticism was that the story took long to develop but hang in there, it was so worth it in the end. The narration was really good too.

Loved this book!

I loved this book. The situation was one that all of us could face in one way or another during the course of our lives. Where do we find the balance between what really matters and what we think matters? How do we get so caught up in making a living that we compromise our quality of life? The characters in this book were so well developed. Especially Sarah, she was an amazing character that I feel like I know on a personal basis. I loved the fact that by the end of the story Sarch had come to realize that no trial comes into our lives that doesn't also offer blessings and opportunities to grow. I learned so much about the symptoms of Sarah's medical condition, but not in a clinical way, more in the way it affects the character's life. There was no explicit sex or bad language in this book which is also a plus for me.

Good but not fantastic

Would you try another book from Lisa Genova and/or Sarah Paulson?

Unknown

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was OK

Which character – as performed by Sarah Paulson – was your favorite?

Did not have a favorite

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

Storyline was good but story was too long. Repetitive in places.

Don't Neglect this Book!

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to see what's most important in life. I really enjoyed this book. It was thought provoking and made me reflect on my life. The story is very well written. Realistic and relatable to many of us. Like the main character Sarah, I am a type A personality. Sarah and her husband were living a life so many of us live today. Hurry to work, hurry to drop off the kids, hurry to this appointment, buy a bigger house. We all juggle so much and I don't see anything wrong with that. But sometimes a book like this comes along and we realize more isn't always better. Be grateful for what you have. This book will stay with you.

Gives you grattitude for the simple things in life

What made the experience of listening to Left Neglected the most enjoyable?

I loved the humor the main character could find in life, even at her most frustrated and grumpy.

What did you like best about this story?

Sarah Paulson narrating it. I know you're not really supposed to, but I pictured Sarah as the main character, as though it was her story. Love her.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she decides to go against what her husband thinks is best and do what she knows will be the maybe difficult, but hopeful chance for her family.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship between daughter and mother, and how they come back together. I'm getting choked up just writing about it.

Any additional comments?

A lovely story of making the best of seemingly impossible situations, and finding a happiness you didn't even know you needed.

Amazing!

I love everything about this novel so much! I love the audiobook of this! The story is so close to reality, well, besides the watch exchange.

Best book from Lisa Genova

I truly enjoyed this audiobook. I could not stop listening to it.
The story is captivating, the messages powerful, the narrator second to none and so funny!
I have listened to three books from Genova: Still Alice (very powerful but narration was poor), The O’Bryans (OK, good narration but slow) and this (jackpot!)
I recommend this book with no hesitation.