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  • 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
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    4,469
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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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

Narrator sounded rushed

Loved the story but narrator sounded stiff and rushed. Perhaps not the best choice for this ....

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

Good boos

Good story but wish the author didn't narrate it, felt narration lacked spark and interested.

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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

compelling listen

The story itself was absolutely riveting; however, the narration was a little on the flat side.

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

Better to read or watch

This was a fabulous story, however the narrator was very monotone throughout the story. It made it difficult to listen to. The storyline itself is amazing. Working with people who have dementia, I can completely relate to the story. It was well written

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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

beautifully written, lovely book

This is a beautifully written book and truly helps capture the perspective of what life is like not only for the person who has Alzheimer's, but the perspective of their family. This is a disease that affects so many families and will continue to affect more as baby boomers enter the senior years. I strongly recommend the book, extremely compelling and easy to finish quickly!

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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

Touching and beautifully narrated

I've just finished listening and felt very sorry for all people with Alzheimer. I enjoyed every chapter of this novel.

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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

True decline of a person with Alzheimer's

Great book! Gives you a picture of a struggling family with Alzheimer's. Highly recoomend the listen.

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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

Impressed the author read it herself

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

Still Alice is very well written. I think it is a great resource for anyone dealing with a loved one who has EOAD, particularly for caregivers. Because it is a fictional account, and not a pamphlet or article written by some well-meaning health centre, it captures the emotions involved and really provides insight into the thought patterns of an individual with Alzheimer's, providing clarity and understanding to circumstances that appear utterly baffling from the outside.

Who was the most memorable character of Still Alice and why?

I liked her youngest daughter Lydia, who had the most depth and was very interesting.

Any additional comments?

The author read this book herself, which I believe is incredibly rare in the industry. I have never heard of someone doing this and she did a great job, so kudos to her. I really liked the story.

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

Beautiful story

This was a beautifully written and fulfilling story and gave many insights to patients and caregivers of Alzheimer’s. Reading this story gives a person hope.
However, I believe more justice would be done, in the audible edition, with a reader with more passion. I found it a little flat at times.

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

performance

LOVED the story, but performance very flat. With few exceptions, authors should allow professionals to record.

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