Buddy Read: Still Alice (SPOILERS)

eajanvrin

I have not had anyone close to me diagnosed with Alzheimer's, however I have friends who have had family members. Right away Lisa has hooked me as I can feel what the character Alice is feeling as she panics when lost or losing thoughts. I felt as if I was standing with her in Harvard Square trying to find my way home as well. I cried at the part where her daughter Lydia called and she didn't know it was her voice and then couldn't formulate the thoughts to share in her excitement about the play. I could feel their relationship becoming more tense after this one phone call and it's for reasons outside of their own. I keep getting upset that she won't share her diagnosis with family and close friends but then have to take a step back and realize that if she does she is losing herself. At the beginning she prides herself on knowing book facts and articles right from the top of her mind, which she is beginning to feel is slipping. I am sure if I was starting to lose a part of myself in whatever way I would go down with a fight as she is. Although in her shoes I don't know how or if I would tell my family but I believe in family support and strength and would like to think that that would win in my decision making.

CeeCeeSugaPie

Like I mentioned in the original Buddy Reads post, my grandfather died from Alzheimer's and I helped take care of him, so this book is a tough one for me.

I loved the author's writing style right away. It's descriptive without boring me to death with minute details. I love Alice and I feel like she could be someone I know IRL. She is this strong, healthy, educated woman, so I can see how this diagnosis would be especially devastating at her age. I feel like Alice comes off as a little cold sometimes, but I feel like that makes her more real. Plus, you can tell her concern for Lydia is coming from the right place, even though I don't agree with the way she is handling it.

It was a relief when at least John found out about her diagnosis. It's driving me nuts too, but I think she just isn't really ready to admit it to herself. Telling them will make it real. In my grandfather's case, no one really talked about it openly until it was to the point that he really needed 24 hour care. I felt like my Mom & her sisters wanted to just stick their heads in the sand and pretend like it wasn't happening, when they should have been preparing for what they were going to do as his disease progressed. I think he felt ashamed and embarassed about it and Alice seems to share those feelings. Much like Alice, he would try to cover up his memory loss with lies (confabulation for the clinical folks), especially at the beginning. He was a very smart man, although not a Harvard professor, so it was heartbreaking to see what was once this bright mind, slowly crumble.

I felt so terrible for her when she got lost while running. Really, every time evidence of her diagnosis shows, my heart just breaks for her.

 

Passanie

This was a such a good book. I loved how it was (seemingly) real, but it wasn't overly dark. 

Nova726

I loved this book so much, I really need to do a reread.

CeeCeeSugaPie

SPOILERS FOR THE COMPLETE BOOK:

This book wasn't as hard for me emotionally as I thought it would be. I think this was because I have already seen the effects of AD on someone I love, not just a character in a story. 

I was so pissed about her daughter Anna's reaction to the news of her diagnosis. I seriously wanted to slap her. I can understand why she was upset, but she really needed to shut her mouth and think about her mother, not herself, at that time. It was interesting to see which one of her kids wanted the genetic testing done. On one hand, I can see getting it done so that you could prepare yourself and your family if the results was positive for the gene. You would know one way or another. If I felt like I could live my life happily, not knowing and not always wondering, then I would choose not to get the testing.

I loved seeing her grow closer to Lydia after having such a strained relationship previously. It was just so sad that it didn't happen sooner. Her husband pissed me off so much though. I know, as a caregiver, you go through a lot, but come on! Moving her to NY?! He came off as a insensitive ass, IMO.

I hated when I could see that she really no longer knew the answers to her daily questions. I seriously thought that her husband was handing her "The Pills", not just her regular pills.

Her speech was amazing! I was so stinkin' proud of her. I loved the thoughtfulness of her student, Dan, as well.

 

 

 

 

eajanvrin

I am sorry I wasn't neglecting this post, I was angry with The Nest.  I had typed a whole response and lost it.  I agree with you about the husband, and agree that he was being insensitive however also wonder if she would have gone with him had she been healthier and maybe that was the way he was thinking.  With Anna, I am not in the camp of genetic testing and think that nature should not be messed with so the whole part with Anna picking the eggs to be fertilized with made me a little upset. 

I loved the relationship between Lydia and that it became to get strengthened.  I enjoyed the story and was glad to have read it.  It is a disease that I feel is not given much information about and I felt this story helped to bridge that gap.