• 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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Facing the fear "could this happen to me?"

The story was raw. I'm sure we've all had those moments that Alice had. Very surreal to see how the writer played out how people avoid those stricken as tho it were contagious.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Gives a voice to a horrible disease.

My father had alzheimer & knew it. I love the author's soothing voice. Smooth listening & never dull. Really enjoyed seeing the disease from patient's perspective. Makes me more unafraid to visit a friend w/alzs that I've been avoiding.

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A very well written story.

Although sad, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. it helped me gain a new perspective and gain more knowledge of Alzheimer's disease.

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What is it like to lose yourself?

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

I am a nurse, and I've met so many people who are no longer able to care for themselves because of Alzheimer's . This book should be required reading for all of those who take care of people with this awful condition.

What did you like best about this story?

The view of her life as told by Alice herself.Her progression as she declines is well-captured.

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

No.

If you could rename Still Alice, what would you call it?

The title has already been used:Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Any additional comments?

This is one of the saddest/ scariest stories I've ever read.We are all fragile beings. I hope this book will help people to understand the despair and helplessness that must be felt by those who head down the frightening road of Alzheimer's. .

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Wow - loved this story - very emotional

I am 41 years old and listening to this book was a little scary! Very emotional and relatable. I loved the character and could feel and relate to her struggle through every page. I do not have EOD, but boy oh boy, did it make me think!

I have had little experience with Alzheimer's Disease, but thoroughly enjoyed the journey with Alice and her family.

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Beautiful and terrifying

I loved this book. Alzheimer’s disease is my worst nightmare. I remember watching my grandmother live with dementia, and every time my mom seems forgetful, I worry. I worry about myself in the future as well. This story was beautiful and tragic taking you on Alice’s journey while she quickly lost herself, her family, and pretty much everything. The only thing I didn’t really enjoy was the narration by the author. I was surprised to find out it was the author reading because so many times I thought should have been filled with emotion came across as flat and dead through the narration.

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Enjoyed the author’s narration

I almost didn’t buy this books because there were so many negative reviews about the narration. Once I got into the book and into Genova’s cadence, I enjoyed it greatly. I especially liked that I was hearing the book read in the same way Genova was hearing it in her head as she wrote it.

Riveting story. I kept wiping away tears. May there be a cure in our lifetime!

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an amazing personal view

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, I am a nurse and aging. I just went through this journey with a family member.
I felt like much of what I read explained much of what the family went through.
It was so well written I was on the journey with her...rooting for her and crying for her.

What other book might you compare Still Alice to and why?

It is a stand alone book, can't think of anyone who has so engagingly told a story of a desperate journey many people and their families travel.

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

no

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

laugh, cry, cheer, try to tell her when she forgot....very much like the journey with my dearest Kate

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Changed My Perspective

I confess that in the past, when I found out someone was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, I tended to feel the most sorry for the family members, rather than the actual sufferer. This book has definitely changed that perspective.

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Still Thinking

I will be thinking about this book for a long time. It tapped into some kind of my own fears as I find myself being forgetful in my sixth decade of life. It was such an interesting study on how we all cope and try to make sense of those "goings on" around us. I couldn't quit listening--did the whole book in three days...

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