Sample
  • Still Alice

  • By: Lisa Genova
  • Narrated by: Lisa Genova
  • Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (7,082 ratings)

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Still Alice

By: Lisa Genova
Narrated by: Lisa Genova
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Editorial reviews

The heart-wrenching tale of 50-year-old Alice Howland and her early onset Alzheimer's diagnosis is narrated eloquently by author Lisa Genova. Alice, a successful linguistics professor at Harvard, is married to John, an equally esteemed Harvard professor, and together they have three grown children. Her biggest worry in life is her youngest daughter's move to L.A. to pursue acting until Alice starts forgetting things. It begins innocuously enough: misplacing her BlackBerry, missing unimportant appointments on her to-do list, searching her mind for tip-of-the-tongue phrases. But when she goes on her familiar daily run through Cambridge, and becomes disoriented just one mile from home, Alice knows something is terribly wrong.

A battery of tests and multiple doctor visits later, her worst nightmare is confirmed she is in the first stages of early onset Alzheimer's disease. Told from Alice's perspective, it's a frighteningly keen insight to the slow deterioration of a debilitating disease. Every nuance of pain, frustration, fear, and sorrow is captured in Genova's voice and she expertly utilizes the pregnant pause, and short, choppy sentences to convey the confusion and pain of Howland's thoughts during testing and diagnosis.

Genova's slight Boston accent lends authenticity to the story, and she doesn't oversell the emotion behind the words. Her transitions between character dialogue are smooth and subtle, but she so embodies the main character Alice, it's hard to remember that it is Genova, and not Howland herself, telling her story. Knowing its being read exactly as it was intended by the author creates an even stronger connection to the work. Equally present is the devastating effect this illness has on Alice's husband, children, and coworkers. And while there's obviously no happy ending in sight, Genova still manages to paint a story of hope, reminding listeners that even in the midst of great loss and suffering, love remains. Colleen Oakley

Publisher's summary

What if every memory you've ever had will be erased from your mind, and you have no choice but to carry on...powerless to stop it?

Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. At 50 years old, she's a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a world-renowned expert in linguistics with a successful husband and three grown children. When she begins to grow disoriented and forgetful, a tragic diagnosis changes her life - and her relationship with her family and the world - forever.

At once beautiful and terrifying, this extraordinary debut novel by Lisa Genova is a moving and vivid depiction of life with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease that is as compelling as A Beautiful Mind and as unforgettable as Ordinary People.

©2009 Lisa Genova (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"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)
"With grace and compassion, Lisa Genova writes about the enormous white emptiness created by Alzheimer's." ( The Improper Bostonian)
"A masterpiece that will touch lives in ways none of us can even imagine." ( Alzheimer's Daily News)

What listeners say about Still Alice

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story of a tragic disease

Truly a wonderful telling of how this affects a family. I ached for Alice during her struggles.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

a nice story

I liked this story, it was well written. I was disappointed by the end of the story, it ended too soon, it didn't come to an end for me.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

A moving story that makes you rethink what is important in life and what makes us who we are.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Close to home

What did you love best about Still Alice?

Still Alice has stroke a deep emotional cord in me. I don't remember reading a fiction book which has affected me like this one. I have to admit that this book did not cheer me up; it made me depressed, worried and anxious. For the past few days I have not been able to sleep or eat well. I am looking at a potential future which scares me. My mom has Alzheimer Disease. Her dad had Alzheimer Disease. This reality makes me anxious, worried and afraid of being a victim of this horrible disease. Just like Alice Howland, I am afraid that one day I would forget everything and not even know that I did.

Lisa Genova did an amazing job at describing the horror of this disease. Her scientific background brought clarity to the different stages of this condition. I could see my mom's behaviour through Alice and it helped me understand better what she is living at this time.

Alice's speech to the medical community was so touching and inspiring. I heard my mom say so many time how lonely she feels even when so many people surrounds her. You are alone when you face this disease. No one understand the emotional roller coaster that pains the patient. I think my mom would benefit from talking to other Alzheimer patients since they would understand exactly what she is going through.

Still Alice is a wonderful book and I recommend it to anyone who knows someone with Alzheimer Disease. Although the book did not bring hope at the end, it shed light on a disease that no one is eager to learn about.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alice: She helped me get a better sense of what my mom is going through.

What about Lisa Genova’s performance did you like?

I think a book read by its own author is so much better. Lisa put the right intonations and pauses where they belong. She was awesome.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The journey of a patient dealing with early onset Alzheimer Disease.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A hopeful story about a sad disease

I Loved the descriptions that Lisa used to explain what Alice was thinking and feeling. I feel like I have a better understanding of what a person with Alzheimer's may be experiencing. It is more hopeful than I had originally thought because that person may not have the same personality or memories but they still experience joy and emotions. It was an insightful book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story!

Thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Just wish the author didn't narrate, I didn't enjoy her voice.

But so well written.

Looking forward to seeing the movie.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The reading of it was a little bland and without emotion, but the story itself was wonderful. Full of insights into what it is like to live with Alzheimer's disease.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, although it does start off a little slowly. After a couple chapters, I was hooked and found myself sitting in my idling car just to hear a little more. The only criticism I have is of the reader. It is narrated by the author and while she can write beautifully, she is not an ideal narrator. Her voice is monotone and sometimes it is difficult to depict who is speaking. She needs more inflection and perhaps some varying tones to depict different characters' voices. Her voice is very clear and even, but dull and lifeless. The story was exactly the opposite and I would still recommend this book!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read

The story evoked so much emotion but the reading was lackluster. Regardless, I highly recommend the book. I am so glad more awareness is being brought to Alzheimer's disease.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well done

Intriguing! I found myself administering the Neurological tests to myself. Wondering if I somehow exhibited signs of dementia. It could happen to anyone. The book is well written and the audible is well produced. I totally enjoyed the listen.

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