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Still Alice
Still Alice
Author: Lisa Genova
In Lisa Genova?s extraordinary New York Times bestselling novel, an accomplished professor diagnosed with Alzheimer?s disease learns that her worth is comprised of more than her ability to remember. Now a major motion picture from Sony Pictures Classics starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kate Bosworth, and Kristen Stewart! — Alice Howland is ...  more »
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PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9781501107733
ISBN-10: 1501107739
Publication Date: 12/16/2014
Pages: 400
Edition: Media Tie-In
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 40

4.3 stars, based on 40 ratings
Publisher: Pocket Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Still Alice on + 234 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 25
I read this book without any real prior information about Alzheimer's. I do not know anyone with this illness and I have never personally experienced any of the symptoms. I saw the book in the library and thought it might be interesting. Lisa Genova did an excellent job creating the main character and depicting her life from her vantage point with Alzheimer's. Even if the reader has no interest in Alzheimer's it is still an excellent read as relationships are strained as they sometimes conflict on what steps should be taken for the main character, Alice.

****Some of the reviews on this site from previous posters do give away the ending. Be very careful reading them if you would rather have the suspense. I did not read a review prior to reading the book as I normally would and it made it that more intriguing for me not knowing what would happen with the character.****
esjro avatar reviewed Still Alice on + 900 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
Still Alice tells the story of a 50-ish Harvard professor's struggles with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The reader witnesses her decline: from more frequent moments of forgetfulness to bad days with still some good days and finally the late stages, in which Alice rarely recognizes the people in her life. Although Still Alice is a very sad story in many ways, Genova tells it with humor, compassion, and warmth.

Still Alice is a quick and very engrossing read. It personalizes the sad decline an Alzheimer's patient endures, and at the same time reminds us of how precious our thoughts and memories are.
catscritch avatar reviewed Still Alice on + 158 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I just finished Still Alice and find myself heart sick over it. I'm not sure I'm sorry or glad over her ability to follow the instructions in the Butterfly file. While she seemed to slip into a lovely little second childhood, and her own children rallied... it seemed her husband's only reaction was to run away in horror. Which I imagine isn't an unusual reaction. Yet I know that had Alice known this was all going to take place so quickly, she would have acted sooner to act out her own plan. It makes me want to take the tests to see if forgetting my keys, what I had for breakfast, or even the new hire's name immediately after introduction, is something more than just stress, lack of time and actually not giving a d*mn. Is it always sweet and someone else takes care of the details or do you find yourself in an ally not even knowing your own name? That is the true horror story. I'd recommend it to anyone and then avoid their worried glance after finishing.
reviewed Still Alice on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Still Alice
5 out of 5

One of my favorite books this year. I highly recommend this touching story of Dr. Alice Howland and her very personal journey into Alzheimers.

When Dr. Howland, a decorated Harvard professor starts having slight memory lapses she chalks it up to menopause, what else could it be, with her schedule she doesnt have time for much more, that is until the lapses are more frequent and more terrifying.

With her husband a Harvard Research Scientist they explore the possibilities and medical trials with each wanting to take a different approach. What ensures are a couple of heartbreaking discoveries, laughter and the healing of old wounds. But what is lost is what makes this book so remarkable Alice takes you on her own personal journey though this disease and you see it from the inside, from the person and not just the textbook. When she makes the comment of -- how can you remember what you have lost when you cant remember what had you had-- just brought the whole thing home for me. What if you cant remember the person you once were and the people that had meant so much to you?

Near the end of the book Alice gives a speech to the Dementia Care Conference that is just heartbreaking. For that one moment in time, she is once again the Alice Howland that her friends and colleagues know, love and respected. For that one moment in time she is Still Alice.

I cant recommend this book highly enough.
reviewed Still Alice on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I thought this was a very insightful book on Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease. It chronicled the progression of the disease and personal conflict for both the individual and the ones that love them. I especially enjoyed the thorough description of the diagnosis process, the effects that cause Alzheimer's Disease and treatment. I read a few reviews before starting the books and was concerned as they said it was too clinical and thought it might be boring but for those that aren't familiar with the disease personally this gave a good understanding within a compassionate story.
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onstagegirl avatar reviewed Still Alice on + 75 more book reviews
For anyone who is interested in what dementia/Alzheimers looks like in the early stages and how it progresses. Great story. Well written. Great blend of science and fiction
reviewed Still Alice on + 4 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book
fzybunnysliprs avatar reviewed Still Alice on + 6 more book reviews
A very insightful look into the emotional aspects of someone with cognitive decline and memory loss. Heart breaking but helpful to be able to understand the point of view of the person suffering the decline.
kellilee avatar reviewed Still Alice on + 66 more book reviews
I decided to read Still Alice because of its many favorable reader reviews. I'd never heard of the book or the author but gave it a try. I cannot even recall the last time I felt this emotionally moved by a book - ever. Something about this story, this educated woman who is a mere 4 years older than I am slowly losing herself to Alzheimer's, touched my heart deeply. I found myself welling up with emotion several times while I read the book and then there was a moment towards the end where I had to stop reading because the tears in my eyes had completely obscured my vision. WTF? So, before I even finished the book, I bought a copy and sent it to my mother. Honestly, I just want to know if I am crazy or maybe just hormonal or - possibly - this is just the right book for me at the right time. Walking in the shoes of Alice was the perfect perspective for this story. Finishing this book has filled me with empathy for a disease I knew so little about when I started.
reviewed Still Alice on
Gives you an understanding of what the patient is feeling, not just the people who love them. Excellent writing.
reviewed Still Alice on + 4 more book reviews
A very interesting and moving story....well written but left me with a great deal of sadness.
reviewed Still Alice on + 4 more book reviews
If you are dealing with someone with Alzheimer's this book is good to read. Just be ready for the sadness as it is ârealâ.
suzyqdeb avatar reviewed Still Alice on + 14 more book reviews
Excellent depiction of the Disease. It makes you feel many emotions. I recommend this read. I work with Alzheimer's and this made me see even more into the disease
amsreads avatar reviewed Still Alice on
Amazing book with depth and "on the edge of your seat" momentum! WOW!

Book Wiki

People/Characters
Alice Howland (Primary Character)
John Howland (Primary Character)
Anna (Major Character)
Tom (Major Character)
Lydia (Major Character)

Genres: