• Still Alice

  • By: Lisa Genova
  • Narrated by: Lisa Genova
  • Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (7,056 ratings)

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Still Alice  By  cover art

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)

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What listeners say about Still Alice

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

Wow.

This book made me feel every feeling on the spectrum of emotion. Wow. Alice's story felt so incredibly real and tangible-- at times I get like I, or a loved one, was coping with Alzheimer's. What a powerful piece of fiction-- I can't wait to see the movie and inevitably dub it to not be worthy of the book!

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

Could not stop listening

Excellent storytelling. Gave me glimpse into the life of a person with Alzheimer's and their family.
I was disappointed in the narration, did not sound like a 50ish woman, No different voices when reading men or woman, but quickly became accustomed to the voice , did not ruin the story.

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Couldn't put it down

It was recommended by a dear friend that I read this book "before you see the movie". I didn't know what it was about nor had I read any of Lisa Genova's work prior. What a moving and beautifully painful story of love and losing. Genova has won over an ardent new fan! 5 stars!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Really heart rendering story

Really made me forget the traffic listening to this story. Heartbreaking what this disease does.

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Awesome read!

Although this book was sad due to Alice's condition, it was a really good read. Very informative!

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Great book and well read

What made the experience of listening to Still Alice the most enjoyable?

The Narrator was easy to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

I was in tears several times feeling what the characters were experiencing. I felt so connected to the story line.

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still Alice amazing..

can't wait to discuss it in the library book club. really enjoyed it. author was very informative.

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Powerful!

This book deals with a very sensitive subject in a very sensitive manner. Still Alice follows the progression of Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease in a woman in her fifties. I laughed and wept while listening. It helped me understand my Mother's experience with Alzheimer's Disease and lightened my expectations should I also develop the disease. The book is powerful and poignant and I loved it!

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Great book

Everyone should read it just for the sake of understanding this horrible disease and compassion for those with it. Even without the "should" part, a very compelling story. Best listen I have had in a while.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Remarkable book!

I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. I did not see the movie yet, but looking forward to it.

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