Staff editor for book world with a focus on childrens books, memoirs, fiction. Lisa genova i created this guide back in 2007, just before selfpublishing still alice and selling copies from the trunk of my car. I continue to order from alibirs even though i complain about the shipping. Still alice, written by the neuroscientist lisa genova, offers a crisp, straightforward, and wrenching depiction of the fiftyyearold harvard professor alice howland s descent into the swift, earlyonset form of the disease. This compelling debut novel has been released simultaneously in hardcover and trade paperback. This study guide consists of approximately 48 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of still alice.
Acclaimed as the oliver sacks of fiction and the michael crichton of brain science, lisa genova is the new york times bestselling author of still alice, left neglected, love anthony, and inside the obriens. I was blogging for the national alzheimers association at the time, and we offered this guide to many of the state chapters. Fiercely independent, alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle and live in the moment, even as her sense of self is being stripped away. Still alice is written not from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking out. She is author of the new york times bestselling novels, still alice, left neglected, love anthony, and inside the obriens.
Genova was famously a neuroscientist before selfpublishing still alice, selling copies out of the back of her car. Still alice by lisa genova overdrive rakuten overdrive. Still alice is a compelling debut novel about a 50yearold womans sudden descent into early onset alzheimers disease, written by firsttime author lisa genova, who holds a ph. Her first novel, still alice, has been adapted into a film starring julianne moore, alec baldwin, and kristen stewart. The book taught me so much on how to be patient with my father and some dos and donts. Still alice book by lisa genova official publisher. Still alice is a 2007 novel by lisa genova, set in boston. Dec 16, 2014 still alice by lisa genova heart breaking, and frightening are the two words that spring to mind instantly when i think about still alice by lisa genova. This 54page guide for still alice by lisa genova includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 25 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis.
Still alice by lisa genova book club discussion questions. Still alice has an authentic voice and a pitchperfect tone even as alice loses control of her own words. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. How did your impressions change after reading the book. But theres controversy surrounding that hopeful ending. Lisa genova born november 22, 1970 is an american neuroscientist and author. An incredibly powerful and moving novel, it impacted me immediately and has stuck with me since. Books similar to still alice meet your next favorite book. The book ends with alice still living a happy life, surrounded by her family, bathed in the warmth of their love, cuddling a grandbaby in her lap. Still alice is a remarkable novel that will change the way you view alzheimers and the way you respond to people with this condition. Terrifying, yes, but not depressing, and surprisingly beautiful. Lydia is the only one of alices children who treats alice as though shes still alice. Lisa graduated valedictorian from bates college with a degree in biopsychology and holds a phd in neuroscience from harvard university.
Still alice was adapted into a film starring julianne moore, alec baldwin, kristen stewart, kate bosworth and hunter parrish. Still alice is a novel about alice howland, a cognitive psychology professor at harvard, who finds out at age fifty that she has alzheimers disease. The message seems to be, shes lost her memory and no longer recognizes her husband or her children, but shes somehow still alice, so its not so bad after all. The novel is about a woman who suffers earlyonset alzheimers disease. This is the building that houses harvards psychology department and where alice s has an office and teaches class. Its about alice, a woman beloved by her family and.
Still alice remains as polite, as informed, and as cautiously compassionate as the society that it depicts. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. She realizes that despite the memoryloss and confusion, alice is still alice and should be treated as such. In turns heartbreaking, inspiring, and terrifying, still alice captures in remarkable detail what its like to literally lose your mind. Still alice is a sombre read about one womans determined fight to maintain her sense of self whilst losing her mind to alzheimers. Still alice is the story of a harvard psychology professor who finds that she is losing pieces of herself. What were your thoughts and impressions of alzheimers disease before reading this book, especially as it would affect a younger person. Apr 07, 2015 from the author of still alice, a new novel that tackles a different disease. In 24 months, 49yearold harvard psychology professor alice howland exchanges the role of highachieving teacher, wife and mother of three for that of a disoriented, inarticulate, forgetful shell of her former self. The writerdirector who adapted it for film, richard glatzer, was diagnosed with als shortly before taking on the project. From the author of still alice, a new novel that tackles a. This is the building that houses harvards psychology department and where alices has an office and teaches class.
Julianne moore won the 2015 best actress oscar for her role as alice howland. Beverly beckham, the boston globe with a master storytellers easy eloquence, lisa genova shines a searing spotlight on this alice s surreal wonderland. From the author of still alice, a new novel that tackles. Jan 06, 2009 still alice is a story that must be told. Welcome to book club babble, the site for busy people who love books. Written from alices perspective we are right there with her on her torturous journey. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Still alice book 51 of 2014 competitive nonfiction. Its about alice, a woman beloved by her family and respected by her colleagues, who in the end, is still. Alice howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the cape, is a celebrated harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a. The literary agents who said genovas book wouldnt sell are wrong.
Book club questions for still alice book club babble. Every 72 seconds another american develops alzheimers disease. This novel follows the protagonist, a renowned harvard psychologist named alice howland, shortly before she is diagnosed with earlyonset alzheimers disease the protagonist, alice, is successful and ambitious. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Its about alice, a woman beloved by her family and respected by her colleagues, who in the end, is still alice, not just her disease. Still alice seems designed specifically with book clubs in mind. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Alice howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the cape, is a celebrated harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a forgetfulness creeping into her life. The story begins with the books path to publication. A few pages from the end of still alice, the main character, a 50yearold harvard professor struggling to retain as much of her life as. On this front, still alice actually provides reassurance. There is work to be done, but all we want to do is read.
Now a major motion picture starring julianne moore, alec baldwin, kate bosworth, and kristen stewart. After i read still alice, i wanted to stand up and tell a train full of strangers, you have to get this book. Lisa genova is a favourite author, i will always read whatever she writes now. Beyond the book club circuit, those curious about this insidious disease will find this an enlightening and enjoyable read. Still alice was adapted into an oscarwinning film starring julianne moore, alec baldwin, and kristen stewart. Alice howland, a 50yearold woman, is a cognitive psychology professor at harvard and is a worldrenowned linguistics expert. From the author of still alice, a new novel that tackles a different disease.
Still alice has sold over a million copies worldwide and was made into an academy awardwinning film starring julianne moore. Jan 01, 2009 first novel efficiently showcases the experience of developing earlyonset alzheimers. Lisa genova graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude from bates college with a degree in biopsychology and has a ph. Its a sad and moving portrayal of a woman losing the things that defined her. Mark warner of alzheimers daily news describes the book as the best portrayal of the alzheimers journey that i have read. She selfpublished her debut novel still alice 2007, about a harvard university professor who suffers early onset alzheimers disease. Author genova, who holds a phd in neuroscience from harvard, selfpublished still alice in 2007. It makes sure, from the start, that we grasp the irony of alices plight. Lisa graduated valedictorian from bates college with a degree in biopsychology.
In lisa genovas extraordinary new york times bestselling novel, an accomplished woman slowly loses her thoughts and memories to alzheimers diseaseonly to discover that each day brings a new way of living and loving. Brunonia barry, new york times bestselling author of the lace reader after i read still alice, i wanted to stand up and tell a train full of strangers, you have to get this book. One of the positives about the book was julianna, she is amazing. Lisa genova is the new york times bestselling author of inside the obriens, love anthony, left neglected, and still alice. Lisa genova is the author of the new york times bestsellers left neglected, inside the obriens, and still alice, among other books.
Alice howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on. Sixteen questions for the book club reading still alice by lisa genova. Lisa graduated valedictorian from bates college with a degree in. And we are thrilled to feature lisa genova, author of the book, still alice, in our lead story this spring issue. Alice howland is a 50yearold professor of psychology at harvard university. The book certainly gives the reader a sense of what it must be like to live with alzheimers disease. It will change the way you think about alzheimers if you are ever diagnosed with it, and will certainly influence the way you relate to people close to you if they become affected. Lisa genova, the author, is a trained neuroscientist who understands the science behind alzheimers from a clinical point of view, but she also comprehends the personal tragedy that accompanies one losing a loved one who is standing. Despite these negative thoughts regarding this unique novel, i consider this work to be a wonderful celebration of the complexities and the brilliance of the human mind. She has been featured in major media and travels worldwide speaking about the neurological diseases that she writes about.
378 231 943 1564 1318 654 709 258 557 630 1123 1425 1636 1308 1611 1511 1103 1315 360 619 1189 1595 586 895 331 1373 1419 17 1392 1218 166 958 368 233 820 833 940 985 861