What do you think?
Rate this book
Partitura suferinței
De-a lungul carierei, Richard, pianist desavarsit, a fost ovationat in sali de concert din intreaga lume. Degetele sale erau instrumente perfect acordate, care dansau pe claviatura cu o precizie uluitoare. Dar asta se intampla in urma cu opt luni.
Acum, Richard sufera de SLA - scleroza laterala amiotrofica -, o boala necrutatoare care i-a paralizat deja bratul drept. Pentru el, pierderea bratului e ca moartea. Si stie ca va urma si bratul stang.
Cand boala se agraveaza si Richard nu se mai descurca singur, Karina, fosta lui sotie, devine - fara tragere de inima - ingrijitoarea lui. Ea nu a trecut nici acum peste despartire si inca il invinovateste pe Richard ca, din pricina lui, si-a ratat cariera de pianista. Pe masura ce muschii, vocea si respiratia lui sunt tot mai firave, cei doi incearca sa se impace cu trecutul inainte sa fie prea tarziu.
Partitura suferintei este o carte tulburatoare despre iertare si despre puterea de a infrunta boala cu seninatate.
''Lisa Genova imbina cu o maiestrie de neegalat detaliile stiintifice si scriitura plina de compasiune.'' - Bookreporter
''O carte captivanta si emotionanta Un portret tulburator al ravagiilor pricinuite de SLA.'' - Publishers Weekly
''Partitura suferintei spune nu doar povestea unei persoane afectate de SLA, ci si povestea bolii insesi. Asa ca ai multe de invatat. Dar nu simti nicio clipa ca ti se preda.'' - The Boston
Acum, Richard sufera de SLA - scleroza laterala amiotrofica -, o boala necrutatoare care i-a paralizat deja bratul drept. Pentru el, pierderea bratului e ca moartea. Si stie ca va urma si bratul stang.
Cand boala se agraveaza si Richard nu se mai descurca singur, Karina, fosta lui sotie, devine - fara tragere de inima - ingrijitoarea lui. Ea nu a trecut nici acum peste despartire si inca il invinovateste pe Richard ca, din pricina lui, si-a ratat cariera de pianista. Pe masura ce muschii, vocea si respiratia lui sunt tot mai firave, cei doi incearca sa se impace cu trecutul inainte sa fie prea tarziu.
Partitura suferintei este o carte tulburatoare despre iertare si despre puterea de a infrunta boala cu seninatate.
''Lisa Genova imbina cu o maiestrie de neegalat detaliile stiintifice si scriitura plina de compasiune.'' - Bookreporter
''O carte captivanta si emotionanta Un portret tulburator al ravagiilor pricinuite de SLA.'' - Publishers Weekly
''Partitura suferintei spune nu doar povestea unei persoane afectate de SLA, ci si povestea bolii insesi. Asa ca ai multe de invatat. Dar nu simti nicio clipa ca ti se preda.'' - The Boston
296 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
959 people are currently reading
29181 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Genova
20 books11.3k followersLisa Genova graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude from Bates College with a degree in Biopsychology and has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University.
Acclaimed as the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science, Lisa has captured a special place in contemporary fiction, writing stories that are equally inspired by neurological conditions and our shared human condition. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels STILL ALICE, LEFT NEGLECTED, LOVE ANTHONY, INSIDE THE O'BRIENS, and EVERY NOTE PLAYED.
Her first work of nonfiction, REMEMBER: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, published March 2021, became an instant New York Times bestseller.
STILL ALICE was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and
Hunter Parrish. Julianne Moore won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland. Film adaptations for INSIDE THE O'BRIENS, EVERY NOTE PLAYED, and LEFT NEGLECTED are in development.
STILL ALICE was adapted for the stage by Christine Mary Dunford and premiered at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago in April 2013. It has since toured worldwide.
In 2015, Lisa was named one of the U.S. Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. She has appeared on Live with Kelly &Ryan, the TODAY show, CNN, PBS Newshour, Dr. Oz, and NPR and has been featured in the PBS specials Build a Better Memory Through Science and Supercharge Your Brain, as well as the documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg.
Her first TED talk, "What You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's" has been viewed over eight million times. Her most recent TED talk, "How Memory Works--and Why Forgetting is Totally OK" was the sixth most watched TED talk of 2021. A sought-after speaker/edutainer, she has headlined in speaker series alongside Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Gloria Steinem, Jay Leno, Malala Yousafzai, and Goldie Hawn.
She received The Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square, for "distinguished storytelling that has enriched the public dialogue," The Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award, The Global Genes RARE Champions of Hope Award, and The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Media Award for "informing the public about treatment and ongoing research in medical illness."
She has received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bates College, The Alzheimer's Association's Rita Hayworth Award, The Huntington’s Disease Society of America Community Awareness Award, and the Grubby Award for literary excellence.
She serves on the Advisory Boards for The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, HFC (Hilarity for Charity), and Compassionate Care ALS.
www.lisagenova.com
www.Facebook.com/authorlisagenova
www.Instagram.com/authorlisagenova
Acclaimed as the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science, Lisa has captured a special place in contemporary fiction, writing stories that are equally inspired by neurological conditions and our shared human condition. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels STILL ALICE, LEFT NEGLECTED, LOVE ANTHONY, INSIDE THE O'BRIENS, and EVERY NOTE PLAYED.
Her first work of nonfiction, REMEMBER: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, published March 2021, became an instant New York Times bestseller.
STILL ALICE was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and
Hunter Parrish. Julianne Moore won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland. Film adaptations for INSIDE THE O'BRIENS, EVERY NOTE PLAYED, and LEFT NEGLECTED are in development.
STILL ALICE was adapted for the stage by Christine Mary Dunford and premiered at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago in April 2013. It has since toured worldwide.
In 2015, Lisa was named one of the U.S. Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. She has appeared on Live with Kelly &Ryan, the TODAY show, CNN, PBS Newshour, Dr. Oz, and NPR and has been featured in the PBS specials Build a Better Memory Through Science and Supercharge Your Brain, as well as the documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg.
Her first TED talk, "What You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's" has been viewed over eight million times. Her most recent TED talk, "How Memory Works--and Why Forgetting is Totally OK" was the sixth most watched TED talk of 2021. A sought-after speaker/edutainer, she has headlined in speaker series alongside Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Gloria Steinem, Jay Leno, Malala Yousafzai, and Goldie Hawn.
She received The Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square, for "distinguished storytelling that has enriched the public dialogue," The Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award, The Global Genes RARE Champions of Hope Award, and The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Media Award for "informing the public about treatment and ongoing research in medical illness."
She has received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bates College, The Alzheimer's Association's Rita Hayworth Award, The Huntington’s Disease Society of America Community Awareness Award, and the Grubby Award for literary excellence.
She serves on the Advisory Boards for The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, HFC (Hilarity for Charity), and Compassionate Care ALS.
www.lisagenova.com
www.Facebook.com/authorlisagenova
www.Instagram.com/authorlisagenova
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,778 reviews
October 1, 2012
I'm almost not sure what to say....
I have cried my way through this book. Wanting to climb into my son's high bed and hold him close.
This book is eerily similar to my life. So very much.
I have 2 sons. Both Autistic. One, the youngest, almost Asperger's. My eldest... Now 11, is non-verbal, eats with his fingers, adores "Mighty Machines" and "Bob the Builder", loves his chips... And steals everyone's hearts.
I am a photographer. A desperate move on my part, needing to find some source of income yet having a schedule that allows for the boys needs and several therapy, specialists, counselling, doctors...
My marriage is and has been continuously stressed. My husband did stray.
Ms. Genova? Have you tapped directly into my world?!
Every description of Anthony mirrors my sons in one way or another.
Every joy and triumph no matter how small is celebrated. Every day is facing so many fears and fights. You worry constantly. Worry becomes your closest friend. Fearing for the future. Questioning your every action from the day uou knew you were pregnant. You learn that you share stress levels akin to combat soldiers. Every waking minute. You only half-sleep waiting to hear the front door open - knowing if the light played just so on the street he'd be gone. Your body aches and mind is always searching for what seems impossible. A cure. A saviour. An escape. An answer.
You learn to cope with the stares and strangers commenting on your lack of parenting. You try to acknowledge that family and the few remaining friends mean well... But just can't truly see. They don't live "it" 24/7.
Yet this is your life... These are your children. There is nothing you can do but put one tired foot in front of the other and keep moving. Together. For them and with them.
This is true love.
For all those who can't imagine... Believe perhaps things are portrayed over the top. I urge you to please. Open your eyes and practice patience. Autism doesn't look any different from yourself. It simply masks remarkable people you ought invest a tiny bit of your time into understanding.
I have cried my way through this book. Wanting to climb into my son's high bed and hold him close.
This book is eerily similar to my life. So very much.
I have 2 sons. Both Autistic. One, the youngest, almost Asperger's. My eldest... Now 11, is non-verbal, eats with his fingers, adores "Mighty Machines" and "Bob the Builder", loves his chips... And steals everyone's hearts.
I am a photographer. A desperate move on my part, needing to find some source of income yet having a schedule that allows for the boys needs and several therapy, specialists, counselling, doctors...
My marriage is and has been continuously stressed. My husband did stray.
Ms. Genova? Have you tapped directly into my world?!
Every description of Anthony mirrors my sons in one way or another.
Every joy and triumph no matter how small is celebrated. Every day is facing so many fears and fights. You worry constantly. Worry becomes your closest friend. Fearing for the future. Questioning your every action from the day uou knew you were pregnant. You learn that you share stress levels akin to combat soldiers. Every waking minute. You only half-sleep waiting to hear the front door open - knowing if the light played just so on the street he'd be gone. Your body aches and mind is always searching for what seems impossible. A cure. A saviour. An escape. An answer.
You learn to cope with the stares and strangers commenting on your lack of parenting. You try to acknowledge that family and the few remaining friends mean well... But just can't truly see. They don't live "it" 24/7.
Yet this is your life... These are your children. There is nothing you can do but put one tired foot in front of the other and keep moving. Together. For them and with them.
This is true love.
For all those who can't imagine... Believe perhaps things are portrayed over the top. I urge you to please. Open your eyes and practice patience. Autism doesn't look any different from yourself. It simply masks remarkable people you ought invest a tiny bit of your time into understanding.
January 9, 2013
I did like this book but not as much as Genova's first two books (Still Alice and Left Neglected), which I loved.
I found the parallel-story/channeling aspect of the book a peculiar way to tell the story of an autistic boy (though it did allow us to see a parent's experience as well as the boy's experience). I found the "voicing" of the boy who couldn't speak rather unconvincing: I didn't experience it as what an autistic boy would actually be thinking, but always as what an author is imagining his thinking to be.
Furthermore, adding in the marital issue (with its parallels to the autism story) did not enhance the book, to my mind.
The writing seemed more suited to a "young adult" novel than a full adult novel.
I thought perhaps Genova was stretching to find a third neurological condition to write about (and it wasn't one at the centre of her focus, as Alzheimer's was, in Still Alice.)
In sum - if this were the first of her books I had read, it would have been the last (whereas the first two convinced me to read everything she writes.) Hopefully the next one will come back to that standard.
I found the parallel-story/channeling aspect of the book a peculiar way to tell the story of an autistic boy (though it did allow us to see a parent's experience as well as the boy's experience). I found the "voicing" of the boy who couldn't speak rather unconvincing: I didn't experience it as what an autistic boy would actually be thinking, but always as what an author is imagining his thinking to be.
Furthermore, adding in the marital issue (with its parallels to the autism story) did not enhance the book, to my mind.
The writing seemed more suited to a "young adult" novel than a full adult novel.
I thought perhaps Genova was stretching to find a third neurological condition to write about (and it wasn't one at the centre of her focus, as Alzheimer's was, in Still Alice.)
In sum - if this were the first of her books I had read, it would have been the last (whereas the first two convinced me to read everything she writes.) Hopefully the next one will come back to that standard.
February 13, 2023
First, I just want to say ”thank you” to Ms. Genova for writing a book about autism. Regardless if this is a book of fiction, I found myself re-living daily episodes from the past 19 years with my own son. The author really did her research well. It just gave me a sense of peace that I haven’t felt in a long time. I could relate to the main character, Olivia who constantly questions - “Why my son?”, “Why my family?”, “Was it something I did wrong while I was pregnant?”, and “Will we ever find out the true answer?”. Every day in this world we are faced with destruction, chaos, and tragedy – just trying to pick up the pieces for a life gone wrong. But autism does not come from life’s hard-knock choices. It comes from the unknown - a force yet to be reckoned with. So how do we live through the challenges of not knowing what’s in store with our innocent trusting children? Day by day, that’s how – knowing and hoping that you’re making the right choices for them because that is all they have in their corner – you!
This book didn’t just deal so much with the medical and scholastic aspects of autism. It dealt a lot with the feelings that come with having a child diagnosed with this life-long tragedy. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and meaningful. Now some people have criticized the author’s novel for having too many unnecessary details that were not needed to enrich the story. Well I, for one, thought that the details were important and necessary. It made the story more believable...because, after all, we all have a life to live. I have three other children, and life couldn’t be more hectic. I had to learn to spread myself pretty thin when they were young, and my husband held a job that was very demanding and time-consuming. Now, life is a little easier because my kids are 21, 19, 17, and 16. Without those extra details present in the book, it wouldn’t have shown how autism can have a huge impact on anyone who comes in contact with the disability, not just family members. For example in my experience, I have had people not be able to talk to me or look me in the eye when they first found out about what my son was dealing with, and other times, people wanted to know everything – they were just so interested and supportive. People’s reactions were weird at times. Some people treated my son like any other child, not drawing unwanted critical attention to him, and other people looked like they were scared to death, and didn’t know how to treat him. You never knew what people were going to think or blame you for when they didn’t really know what was really going on. I had people scream at me to take him home when he was having a episode in public, and other people offering their help. I was always surprised one way or the other. And, that’s exactly how Olivia is portrayed in the book when faced with awkward situations from her son, Anthony.
I absolutely loved the book-within-a-book idea. The other main character, Beth, writes a novella told by Anthony, while also living through her own more intimate family crisis. It’s written from his point-of-view. It was simply magical! After reading numerous books and looking up things on the internet for years, it just gave me a different incite as to how these children think and learn. What’s in their head is such a mystery. One minute you think you know what they are thinking because of a past episode, and the next minute, you’re scratching your head saying, “How can that be? It wasn’t like that the last time.” It definitely always keeps you on your toes and constantly keeping your brain in working order. There’s never a dull moment. It’s not all about the tough times, though. It’s also about the happy ones – seeing progress right before your very eyes when looking back through the years. The first word spoken – years later than a normal child, but spoken nonetheless. The first time they actually look in your eyes – not very often, but when it does happen, you’re so excited that just maybe you’re getting through that barrier built from the inside out. And, of course, the first hug – perhaps they will feel, just a smidge, how much they’re loved.
On that note, I just want to acknowledge to Ms. Genova how much I enjoyed her novel. It was inspiring and moving. It was beautiful and mesmerizing. But most of all, for me it was home.This is the life that my son lives each and every day. Every morning he gets up and takes on the same routine – something that feels comfortable and calming to him. You never know what that particular day will be like – good or bad. But I do know this, whatever it takes, he can count on us to do our finest; whatever he needs, we will provide it the most superb way we can; and, whatever makes him happy, we will always have his best interests at heart.
As the reader, you will probably need a few tissues to get you through the sad parts, but hopefully it will give you a better understanding of just what a child and a family goes through when autism is present in their everyday lives. It’s not easy, but you do it because you’re all your child has. I do believe that someday there will be a cure to unlock the mysteries surrounding this spectrum disorder that affects 1 in 88 children – autism. Until then, we just have to practice patience and understanding for these children who are just simply extraordinary in every way possible.
5/9/18 - Just an update - Autism affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys according to Autism Speaks - when will they find a cause for this heartbreaking disorder????
5/10/22 - Just an update - Autism affects 1 in 44 children in the USA according to the CDC; 1 in 27 boys, and 1 in 116 girls. 40% are found to be nonverbal. Research indicates that in the vast majority of cases, genetics are involved. Still looking for a cure...
This book didn’t just deal so much with the medical and scholastic aspects of autism. It dealt a lot with the feelings that come with having a child diagnosed with this life-long tragedy. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and meaningful. Now some people have criticized the author’s novel for having too many unnecessary details that were not needed to enrich the story. Well I, for one, thought that the details were important and necessary. It made the story more believable...because, after all, we all have a life to live. I have three other children, and life couldn’t be more hectic. I had to learn to spread myself pretty thin when they were young, and my husband held a job that was very demanding and time-consuming. Now, life is a little easier because my kids are 21, 19, 17, and 16. Without those extra details present in the book, it wouldn’t have shown how autism can have a huge impact on anyone who comes in contact with the disability, not just family members. For example in my experience, I have had people not be able to talk to me or look me in the eye when they first found out about what my son was dealing with, and other times, people wanted to know everything – they were just so interested and supportive. People’s reactions were weird at times. Some people treated my son like any other child, not drawing unwanted critical attention to him, and other people looked like they were scared to death, and didn’t know how to treat him. You never knew what people were going to think or blame you for when they didn’t really know what was really going on. I had people scream at me to take him home when he was having a episode in public, and other people offering their help. I was always surprised one way or the other. And, that’s exactly how Olivia is portrayed in the book when faced with awkward situations from her son, Anthony.
I absolutely loved the book-within-a-book idea. The other main character, Beth, writes a novella told by Anthony, while also living through her own more intimate family crisis. It’s written from his point-of-view. It was simply magical! After reading numerous books and looking up things on the internet for years, it just gave me a different incite as to how these children think and learn. What’s in their head is such a mystery. One minute you think you know what they are thinking because of a past episode, and the next minute, you’re scratching your head saying, “How can that be? It wasn’t like that the last time.” It definitely always keeps you on your toes and constantly keeping your brain in working order. There’s never a dull moment. It’s not all about the tough times, though. It’s also about the happy ones – seeing progress right before your very eyes when looking back through the years. The first word spoken – years later than a normal child, but spoken nonetheless. The first time they actually look in your eyes – not very often, but when it does happen, you’re so excited that just maybe you’re getting through that barrier built from the inside out. And, of course, the first hug – perhaps they will feel, just a smidge, how much they’re loved.
On that note, I just want to acknowledge to Ms. Genova how much I enjoyed her novel. It was inspiring and moving. It was beautiful and mesmerizing. But most of all, for me it was home.This is the life that my son lives each and every day. Every morning he gets up and takes on the same routine – something that feels comfortable and calming to him. You never know what that particular day will be like – good or bad. But I do know this, whatever it takes, he can count on us to do our finest; whatever he needs, we will provide it the most superb way we can; and, whatever makes him happy, we will always have his best interests at heart.
As the reader, you will probably need a few tissues to get you through the sad parts, but hopefully it will give you a better understanding of just what a child and a family goes through when autism is present in their everyday lives. It’s not easy, but you do it because you’re all your child has. I do believe that someday there will be a cure to unlock the mysteries surrounding this spectrum disorder that affects 1 in 88 children – autism. Until then, we just have to practice patience and understanding for these children who are just simply extraordinary in every way possible.
5/9/18 - Just an update - Autism affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys according to Autism Speaks - when will they find a cause for this heartbreaking disorder????
5/10/22 - Just an update - Autism affects 1 in 44 children in the USA according to the CDC; 1 in 27 boys, and 1 in 116 girls. 40% are found to be nonverbal. Research indicates that in the vast majority of cases, genetics are involved. Still looking for a cure...
January 6, 2023
I have loved Genova’s books and looked forward to reading this one too. The other books were emotional and really got to me, but for some reason I didn’t feel involved and engaged while reading this work. To be honest it was at times boring.
August 4, 2023
Lisa Genova, in her author’s note, makes it clear that her intention in writing this book is to provide insight and sensitivity for those families affected by autism. Genova was successful with me. I was a person who saw an autistic child (or a child with autism) and felt sympathy while saying to myself “by the grace of God go I”. This book deepened my insight into many aspects that I hadn’t conjured. One beautiful insight is that each and every autism child is unique in his/her own way. It’s not a simple box that a person falls into; there is a huge spectrum of autism. This is a story of a fictional boy named Anthony who has autism and of his mother, Olivia. As a reader, you can feel Olivia’s pain, her frustration, her anger with God. Genova provides another character, Beth, who is going through troubles of her own. Beth helps Olivia come to terms, somewhat, with her relationship with her son. It’s an interesting idea for a novel. As Genova stated, she did not intend for this book to be an informercial for autism, as that would be impossible. It’s a story of one child on the spectrum. I gained insight reading it.
July 19, 2022
I fully enjoyed this book, and realise it has garnered many varying reviews. The profession of the author was always on my mind as I read the book, and I know the depth of research is evident as she is a neuroscientist.
The story of two women bonding over a boy who is autistic may seem fanciful in some areas, as the story pertains to an author, Beth, who was able to capture the 'voice' of this boy. This may have been a little fluffy for some readers, but I was swept away with the story and loved it for what it was.
Nantucket seems like a really interesting part of the world. Lovely beaches, harsh winters where the town closes for this harsh season, daffodil carnivals, tailgating, such a culture I would not have known about! This is why reading is so great! I get to travel the world. The image of a town closing for winter was fascinating!
Beth, a young mother with three daughters is at the beach where she notices a young boy who appears to be in his own world, collecting white pebbles with a deep intensity. Anthony is playing well and giving his mother Olivia some breathing room during this ritual of lining up the rocks at the beach. Beth is sure she will cross paths with this family again, she feels a connection.
Olivia loves her son; the imagery of the heartache and the back breaking hard work is laid out with love and frustration in equal measure. Anthony's rituals take first place, along with Barney DVDs and the right amount of french toast sticks, his blue cup and napkin. Rituals are so important! Any change to this routine causes so much trouble as Anthony is non verbal, Olivia would love to have him look into her eyes. Everything needs to be just so. Even driving home after one and a half hours of glorious swing time for Anthony via the chemist to buy tampons shows Olivia the high price after changing the route. Arriving home with screams, tears and a lack of tampons is just another example of the daily struggle.
We get to know that Anthony's arm flapping and screeching is his way of communicating and he will never be like other boys. Does he need to be like other boys? 35 hours of therapy a week isn't going to change this. Olivia begins to question all areas of this therapy when hours upon hours are spent trying to change his routines. If constant Barney DVDs are part of this, why not keep him happy? Why take away what he loves. Anthony shows his love, and this showing of love is measured out to the reader in small doses.
Anthony has a short life, he dies young and Olivia is trying to work out the purpose of this tiny life, and Beth just happens to have a big part in this answer. Ways Anthony showed his love begin to make Olivia ponder on his special life, and the meaning of hers.
I took my son to a museum on the weekend, and we were waiting for our train home. A harried mother and her young son were near us; he had a monkey style brace on so he was not able to run away. I knew straight away that this boy was like Anthony. He needed to be on the train. I smiled at the mum and told her she was doing a great job, as I thought of the fictional reactions Olivia constantly faced. She sought out children with autism everywhere. It became second nature. I thought about this real life mum and son for days.
It turns out as Beth was writing her story about this boy with autism she learned about her own life, her marriage and her own sensitivities in life such as having a tidy home, being upset that someone has take her place at the library while she wrote her book, her reactions to too much stimuli.
This story also contained important themes on marriage and fidelity and a whole lot of trust.
Olivia and Beth helped each other, and in doing so Oliva realised the purpose of her son's life and that both her and her son were very capable of unconditional love.
Another thank you to my friend Liz that always has superb recommendations for me, I always read what she suggests and haven’t yet gone wrong!
The story of two women bonding over a boy who is autistic may seem fanciful in some areas, as the story pertains to an author, Beth, who was able to capture the 'voice' of this boy. This may have been a little fluffy for some readers, but I was swept away with the story and loved it for what it was.
Nantucket seems like a really interesting part of the world. Lovely beaches, harsh winters where the town closes for this harsh season, daffodil carnivals, tailgating, such a culture I would not have known about! This is why reading is so great! I get to travel the world. The image of a town closing for winter was fascinating!
Beth, a young mother with three daughters is at the beach where she notices a young boy who appears to be in his own world, collecting white pebbles with a deep intensity. Anthony is playing well and giving his mother Olivia some breathing room during this ritual of lining up the rocks at the beach. Beth is sure she will cross paths with this family again, she feels a connection.
Olivia loves her son; the imagery of the heartache and the back breaking hard work is laid out with love and frustration in equal measure. Anthony's rituals take first place, along with Barney DVDs and the right amount of french toast sticks, his blue cup and napkin. Rituals are so important! Any change to this routine causes so much trouble as Anthony is non verbal, Olivia would love to have him look into her eyes. Everything needs to be just so. Even driving home after one and a half hours of glorious swing time for Anthony via the chemist to buy tampons shows Olivia the high price after changing the route. Arriving home with screams, tears and a lack of tampons is just another example of the daily struggle.
We get to know that Anthony's arm flapping and screeching is his way of communicating and he will never be like other boys. Does he need to be like other boys? 35 hours of therapy a week isn't going to change this. Olivia begins to question all areas of this therapy when hours upon hours are spent trying to change his routines. If constant Barney DVDs are part of this, why not keep him happy? Why take away what he loves. Anthony shows his love, and this showing of love is measured out to the reader in small doses.
Anthony has a short life, he dies young and Olivia is trying to work out the purpose of this tiny life, and Beth just happens to have a big part in this answer. Ways Anthony showed his love begin to make Olivia ponder on his special life, and the meaning of hers.
I took my son to a museum on the weekend, and we were waiting for our train home. A harried mother and her young son were near us; he had a monkey style brace on so he was not able to run away. I knew straight away that this boy was like Anthony. He needed to be on the train. I smiled at the mum and told her she was doing a great job, as I thought of the fictional reactions Olivia constantly faced. She sought out children with autism everywhere. It became second nature. I thought about this real life mum and son for days.
It turns out as Beth was writing her story about this boy with autism she learned about her own life, her marriage and her own sensitivities in life such as having a tidy home, being upset that someone has take her place at the library while she wrote her book, her reactions to too much stimuli.
This story also contained important themes on marriage and fidelity and a whole lot of trust.
Olivia and Beth helped each other, and in doing so Oliva realised the purpose of her son's life and that both her and her son were very capable of unconditional love.
Another thank you to my friend Liz that always has superb recommendations for me, I always read what she suggests and haven’t yet gone wrong!
March 16, 2013
Well, after waiting over a year for my beloved author Lisa Genova to write another book equal to Still Alice and Left neglected, I have to say I am severely disappointed. This book did not have what ever it was those books had. I felt for the two mothers/wives who were the main characters. There just wasn't enough character development. I didn't feel I knew them. After not writing for years, Beth sits down and this novel just comes to her. Yes, it's supposed to be magical but it didn't feel like that. The mother of Anthony was grieving but I never felt her grief. The only person I did feel for was Anthony but that wasn't till close to the end. From the synopsis I thought I was going to read a novel about two women who were grieving and they deeply connected with each other. I never felt a connection between them at all. In fact the story of Beth was never even drawn to a conclusion and Olivia didn't have much of one.
I apologize for my lack of a good review but I am reeling from confusion and disappointment over a book I so looked forward to reading. I am just sad and unfulfilled.
I apologize for my lack of a good review but I am reeling from confusion and disappointment over a book I so looked forward to reading. I am just sad and unfulfilled.
February 23, 2025
O carte de-a dreptul sfâșietoare! Asistăm la decăderea unui pianist de succes, a cărui viață a fost schimbată radical la 45 de ani când află că suferă de scleroză laterală amiotrofică. La început, nu își mai poate controla mâna dreaptă, apoi brațul și la scurtă vreme este afectat și brațul stâng. Boala avansează rapid, iar singurul om pe care Richard o să îl aibă alături, pe lângă asistentul personal, este fosta lui soție Karina, de care a divorțat în urmă cu câțiva ani. Ce sacrificii va face ea pentru el? Dar mai ales prin ce etape devastatoare, adesea rușinoase va trece Richard pe drumul cu un singur sens? Și ce va alege la final? Totul este răvășitor de dureros!
Nu o recomand celor sensibili, celor care au pierdut pe cineva recent, și nici celor care au în viața lor oameni grav bolnavi.
Nu o recomand celor sensibili, celor care au pierdut pe cineva recent, și nici celor care au în viața lor oameni grav bolnavi.
December 7, 2012
Genova went completely round the bend with this one. Most of the book is trashy chick lit. And the end is just cheesy. I mean one big cheese puff.
The only redeeming thing that bumped it up to two stars was that it gave me some understanding of how isolating it can be to be the mother of a severely autistic child.
The only redeeming thing that bumped it up to two stars was that it gave me some understanding of how isolating it can be to be the mother of a severely autistic child.
December 18, 2012
Back in September of 2011 I reviewed two books by amazing author, Lisa Genova. I have just finished her third book, "Love Anthony." Let me just jump right in and say this wasn't my favorite of the three by any means. I will tell you why, but first let me tell you about the book.
"Love Anthony" takes place on Nantucket Island, where it's busy with tourists and people with summer homes during the warm months and empty but for the locals who live their year-long during the cold winter months. Olivia and her husband David purchased an 'investment' home which they visited during the summer with their son Anthony, who at the age of 3 was diagnosed with autism. When he was 8 Anthony died quite tragically, and two years later Olivia and David decided to separate. She moved to the Nantucket home to figure out the whys. Why was Anthony autistic? Why couldn't he communicate with her, tell her he loved her, allow a change in schedule? Why couldn't he look her in the eye? She spent her summer photographing families on the beach and filling in her time with reading the journals she kept while Anthony was alive.
Beth is a long-timer on the island, where she has been living year-round with her husband Jimmy and their three daughters. One afternoon her perfect life and marriage is ruined when she finds out Jimmy has been cheating on her. For a long time. With a co-worker. She kicks him out that day. In the months to follow, to busy her brain, Beth picks up something she hasn't worked on for many, many years; a book. Every day she finds solace in going to the library, sitting in "her" spot and writing her book, usually in long hand but occasionally on her daughter's tablet.
Here's the part of "Love Anthony" that bothered me:
Beth writes about a boy named Anthony who has autism. She writes it from his perspective, as if we are able to read his thoughts. He describes what it is like, how his mind works, why he does what he does. It's actually quite fascinating were it not for the fact that everything about Anthony is identical to Olivia's Anthony. His favorite things, what he eats, how he eats and basically how he compartmentalized. Absolutely everything.
As if she channeled him.
I won't tell you the rest of the book although most of it really is just filler and unnecessary background plots, because the book is worth reading if only to see Lisa Genova's interpretation of the mind of an autistic boy. It makes sense, the way she explains it. In fact, it's amazing how she describes autism from the perspective of the autistic without ever being able to really know.
So. Do I recommend this book? Yes and No. Yes for the Anthony pages which are really only a few, though amazing, but No for the rest of the content, which is a disappointment after Lisa's first two books which were so amazing.
Love Anthony
"Love Anthony" takes place on Nantucket Island, where it's busy with tourists and people with summer homes during the warm months and empty but for the locals who live their year-long during the cold winter months. Olivia and her husband David purchased an 'investment' home which they visited during the summer with their son Anthony, who at the age of 3 was diagnosed with autism. When he was 8 Anthony died quite tragically, and two years later Olivia and David decided to separate. She moved to the Nantucket home to figure out the whys. Why was Anthony autistic? Why couldn't he communicate with her, tell her he loved her, allow a change in schedule? Why couldn't he look her in the eye? She spent her summer photographing families on the beach and filling in her time with reading the journals she kept while Anthony was alive.
Beth is a long-timer on the island, where she has been living year-round with her husband Jimmy and their three daughters. One afternoon her perfect life and marriage is ruined when she finds out Jimmy has been cheating on her. For a long time. With a co-worker. She kicks him out that day. In the months to follow, to busy her brain, Beth picks up something she hasn't worked on for many, many years; a book. Every day she finds solace in going to the library, sitting in "her" spot and writing her book, usually in long hand but occasionally on her daughter's tablet.
Here's the part of "Love Anthony" that bothered me:
Beth writes about a boy named Anthony who has autism. She writes it from his perspective, as if we are able to read his thoughts. He describes what it is like, how his mind works, why he does what he does. It's actually quite fascinating were it not for the fact that everything about Anthony is identical to Olivia's Anthony. His favorite things, what he eats, how he eats and basically how he compartmentalized. Absolutely everything.
As if she channeled him.
I won't tell you the rest of the book although most of it really is just filler and unnecessary background plots, because the book is worth reading if only to see Lisa Genova's interpretation of the mind of an autistic boy. It makes sense, the way she explains it. In fact, it's amazing how she describes autism from the perspective of the autistic without ever being able to really know.
So. Do I recommend this book? Yes and No. Yes for the Anthony pages which are really only a few, though amazing, but No for the rest of the content, which is a disappointment after Lisa's first two books which were so amazing.
Love Anthony
August 20, 2024
Firstly, I love this author. Left Neglected, Still Alice, Inside the O'Briens - all excellent books. This book, however, is not it.
Our time is split between two women. Beth, whose husband has just left her for a work colleague. And Olivia, whose son died age 8. Their stories entwine 68% of the way into the book and only for a few pages.
I'm not sure what the project of this book was, what the author was aiming for. It's flat, leads nowhere, and for a book about Autism, it doesn't educate or enlighten at all.
Compared to her other titles, this is weak, under researched, and needs a good overhaul.
Two stars.
Our time is split between two women. Beth, whose husband has just left her for a work colleague. And Olivia, whose son died age 8. Their stories entwine 68% of the way into the book and only for a few pages.
I'm not sure what the project of this book was, what the author was aiming for. It's flat, leads nowhere, and for a book about Autism, it doesn't educate or enlighten at all.
Compared to her other titles, this is weak, under researched, and needs a good overhaul.
Two stars.
December 23, 2015
This one made me cry. I am not a crier. Given, I was sitting in ICU shortly after my husband had brain surgery so there may be a excuse. Or a correlation.
Lisa Genova possesses a brilliant resume. She is a scientist with many letters following her name. She must think pragmatically so I struggle to reconcile the other part of her, the one I forgot. Her beautiful writing style as she empathetically takes the reader through a neurological experience so profound and so emotional, I cried.
I haven't read Genova's Still Alice. I will. I read Left Neglected which was amazing and flawless. So I raved about the book to my friends. I love the way her titles have double meaning. This book was no exception. It can be read as Love, Anthony or Love Anthony. Anthony being on the far end of the PDD spectrum. Yet subtly, the book is also drawing similarities between Anthony who is autistic and Beth who is "normal." What is the purpose of each life? Was Anthony truly flawed? Was broken? Did he need to be fixed? Did he need to be understood? Or was Anthony perfect just the way he was? Was his purpose to learn or to teach?
So I must reiterate what I love about Genova's writing. Yes, she gives an accurate depiction of one Autistic boy. She provides a little neurological background in layman's terms. On the other hand, her brain can somehow possess the calculated mind of a scientist and the creativity of master artist in the medium of words.
It is so very blatantly a book club book.
Lisa Genova possesses a brilliant resume. She is a scientist with many letters following her name. She must think pragmatically so I struggle to reconcile the other part of her, the one I forgot. Her beautiful writing style as she empathetically takes the reader through a neurological experience so profound and so emotional, I cried.
I haven't read Genova's Still Alice. I will. I read Left Neglected which was amazing and flawless. So I raved about the book to my friends. I love the way her titles have double meaning. This book was no exception. It can be read as Love, Anthony or Love Anthony. Anthony being on the far end of the PDD spectrum. Yet subtly, the book is also drawing similarities between Anthony who is autistic and Beth who is "normal." What is the purpose of each life? Was Anthony truly flawed? Was broken? Did he need to be fixed? Did he need to be understood? Or was Anthony perfect just the way he was? Was his purpose to learn or to teach?
So I must reiterate what I love about Genova's writing. Yes, she gives an accurate depiction of one Autistic boy. She provides a little neurological background in layman's terms. On the other hand, her brain can somehow possess the calculated mind of a scientist and the creativity of master artist in the medium of words.
It is so very blatantly a book club book.
March 20, 2016
3.5 stars. All I knew about this book before was that it's about an autistic boy (or boy with autism, whichever you prefer), and that was it. I didn't even know much about autism. I now feel I have a much better understanding of it, or at least of one way in which it might present itself; so... Mission accomplished, Ms. Genova, as usual.
But I feel that wasn't her only mission. This was also about the amazing sisterhood of women, about rocky marriages, grief, feeling interminably isolated, and what it takes to make us feel wanted, happy, secure, and loved.
I usually don't care much for stories within stories; and here there are two: Pieces of Beth's novel about autism and Olivia's journal of her autistic son Anthony. The two women's lives and souls are about to collide, and this was cleverly done despite the unfathomable coincidences. Others may instead call it destiny. Either way there were things I really disliked here, and then things that were utterly amazing, like the Epilogue, which I cried through. Love this author, but thought her other three books better.
But I feel that wasn't her only mission. This was also about the amazing sisterhood of women, about rocky marriages, grief, feeling interminably isolated, and what it takes to make us feel wanted, happy, secure, and loved.
I usually don't care much for stories within stories; and here there are two: Pieces of Beth's novel about autism and Olivia's journal of her autistic son Anthony. The two women's lives and souls are about to collide, and this was cleverly done despite the unfathomable coincidences. Others may instead call it destiny. Either way there were things I really disliked here, and then things that were utterly amazing, like the Epilogue, which I cried through. Love this author, but thought her other three books better.
September 1, 2021
Am mai citit, în urmă cu vreo patru ani, ,,Altfel... Și totuși Alice" și am plâns. Pe atunci trăisem mai puține lucruri și plângeam la orice, dar sunt sigură că și azi m-ar impresiona. ,,Partitura suferinței" nu a făcut același lucru.
Îl cunoaștem pe Richard, un pianist cu succes internațional, care devine victimă a SLA (scleroză laterală amiotrofică). Cam pe toată durata căsniciei de 20 de ani și-a înșelat soția, dar, când s-a îmbolnăvit, ea l-a primit înapoi acasă și a avut grijă de el, deși nu mai exista niciun sentiment pozitiv în relația lor. Nu am putut să îi înțeleg și nici nu am avut milă pentru ei. De câte ori el își mai pierdea o parte a corpului, îi ziceam ,,mai știi când te atingeau altele, apoi te întorceai la nevastă și o mințeai?". De câte ori se plângea ea, că îi e greu să îl îngrijească, îi spuneam ,,dar cine l-a chemat, mă, înapoi?".
Se presupune că este, printre altele, o carte despre iertare. Fiecare dintre ei avea nevoie de iertare, atât să o ofere, cât și să o primească. Însă asta m-a făcut să o văd pe ea ca o fraieră. Oricum nu am priceput de ce a rămas atâția ani cu el, mai ales pentru că și ea avea talent la muzică, mai mult decât el, dar a ales să renunțe la carieră pentru splendida ei căsnicie. Am simțit că îi plăcea totuși să fie căsătorită cu un pianist celebru. Iar de el mi-a fost silă până la final, pentru că tot cheltuia ultimii bani pentru lucruri care să îi prelungească viața (deși putea alege moartea mai devreme sau sinuciderea asistată), chiar dacă asta însemna să o forțeze pe fosta soție (de care mai avea și tupeul să se plângă) să își pună viața pe pauză pentru a avea grijă de el și a irosi bani care puteau fi folosiți ca moștenire pentru fata lui. El voia iertare și să o obțină cu orice preț. Egoismul nu se vindecă.
Punctul forte al cărții îl reprezintă imaginile în care boala își face tot mai simțită prezența și te transformă într-un prizonier închis în propriul corp. Cum autoarea este și neurocercetătoare, partea asta i-a ieșit extraordinar. Mi-a luat o săptămână să o termin pentru că acele imagini erau copleșitoare. Norocul meu a fost că totul mi s-a părut o pedeapsă corectă pentru Richard! Dacă aș mai fi simțit și empatie, aș fi plâns cu sughițuri.
,,Pentru destinul tău, zona contează la fel de mult ca în domeniul imobiliar."
,,Floarea nu iese din sămânță fără iubirea persistentă a soarelui și a apei."
,,Pe drumul care duce la o descoperire măreață se fac o mie de pași greșiți și există încă o mie de cărări înfundate. Succesul nu se poate naște fără viața și moartea eșecului."
Îl cunoaștem pe Richard, un pianist cu succes internațional, care devine victimă a SLA (scleroză laterală amiotrofică). Cam pe toată durata căsniciei de 20 de ani și-a înșelat soția, dar, când s-a îmbolnăvit, ea l-a primit înapoi acasă și a avut grijă de el, deși nu mai exista niciun sentiment pozitiv în relația lor. Nu am putut să îi înțeleg și nici nu am avut milă pentru ei. De câte ori el își mai pierdea o parte a corpului, îi ziceam ,,mai știi când te atingeau altele, apoi te întorceai la nevastă și o mințeai?". De câte ori se plângea ea, că îi e greu să îl îngrijească, îi spuneam ,,dar cine l-a chemat, mă, înapoi?".
Se presupune că este, printre altele, o carte despre iertare. Fiecare dintre ei avea nevoie de iertare, atât să o ofere, cât și să o primească. Însă asta m-a făcut să o văd pe ea ca o fraieră. Oricum nu am priceput de ce a rămas atâția ani cu el, mai ales pentru că și ea avea talent la muzică, mai mult decât el, dar a ales să renunțe la carieră pentru splendida ei căsnicie. Am simțit că îi plăcea totuși să fie căsătorită cu un pianist celebru. Iar de el mi-a fost silă până la final, pentru că tot cheltuia ultimii bani pentru lucruri care să îi prelungească viața (deși putea alege moartea mai devreme sau sinuciderea asistată), chiar dacă asta însemna să o forțeze pe fosta soție (de care mai avea și tupeul să se plângă) să își pună viața pe pauză pentru a avea grijă de el și a irosi bani care puteau fi folosiți ca moștenire pentru fata lui. El voia iertare și să o obțină cu orice preț. Egoismul nu se vindecă.
Punctul forte al cărții îl reprezintă imaginile în care boala își face tot mai simțită prezența și te transformă într-un prizonier închis în propriul corp. Cum autoarea este și neurocercetătoare, partea asta i-a ieșit extraordinar. Mi-a luat o săptămână să o termin pentru că acele imagini erau copleșitoare. Norocul meu a fost că totul mi s-a părut o pedeapsă corectă pentru Richard! Dacă aș mai fi simțit și empatie, aș fi plâns cu sughițuri.
,,Pentru destinul tău, zona contează la fel de mult ca în domeniul imobiliar."
,,Floarea nu iese din sămânță fără iubirea persistentă a soarelui și a apei."
,,Pe drumul care duce la o descoperire măreață se fac o mie de pași greșiți și există încă o mie de cărări înfundate. Succesul nu se poate naște fără viața și moartea eșecului."
December 15, 2018
Dureroasă dar înălțătoare în același timp. O carte pe care am finalizat-o cu lacrimi în ochi, însă profund recunoscătoare pentru sănătatea de care mă bucur. Un fel de "Scafandrul și fluturele", poate scrisă cu mai mult suflet....
August 11, 2012
I won, I won, I won, I won, I won - picture the happy dance the Old Man does in A Christmas Story upon learning of his Major Award and that's me all over. I WON a copy of Love Anthony from a goodreads giveaway! Can't wait for it to get here:-D
So, obviously, I received a copy of this through goodreads first reads from Gallery Books. And it still makes me happy dance just to think about it. Thank you!
About a year ago I totally blasted Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury. As the mother of a 14 year old boy with autism, or 14 year old autistic boy if you prefer, it just didn't scan well for me. There were a number of reasons. Love Anthony sounds like it might be more of the same but somehow I found it so SO much better. If you have already read Lisa Genova, are interested in autism and can embrace (or even just overlook) the belief that the spirit or spiritual presence of a deceased child could guide an author's writing then jump right in, you will not be disappointed. Four and a half stars.
Oh, disclaimer, this is a long one. Can't seem to sum it up.
This is overall a book about relationships, healing, accepting and moving on ... and not particularly in that order. I have read a truck load of books about autism, fact and fiction, it has been a central theme of my life after all, and somehow this one really captured something for me. Genova has captured so many of the feelings I have struggled with, wallowed in and even rejoiced in throughout our personal journey with autism. They are legion and range all over the place and I was so pleased to see them expressed so well through Olivia's journal and memories.
Much to my surprise I also enjoyed Anthony's voice. I had fears it would be just a little too precious but somehow it worked. We too have often wondered, in serious, deep moments of questioning, and the crazy making, frantic "what does he need just to shut up and be calm for a minute" moments and in lighthearted, joking moments, just what IS going on inside the head of our boy. We've come a very long way in our ability to understand the Language of Stims and Acting Out as well as the Language of Significant Looks and sometimes it is truly comical to see the expressions on his face - they are so typically teen - he has truly mastered the "Really, Mom?" look. But he is completely non verbal and resists all other forms of communication (PECS, sign language, even his iTouch) so we mostly are just guessing, always guessing.
One of the hardest things about autism is accepting that the life you expected is not going to happen. There will be some improvements, some delightful surprises but there will disappointments and set backs too. Once we had the diagnosis we too set about trying to help our boy progress. Some things are better than we imagined back in those first weeks and months. Some things we hoped for, still hope for, still work towards, have not happened. A couple times each year I bang my head up against my own personal wall of expectations and spend a week or so feeling not quite but getting close to hopeless as some new behavior manifests and I realize that words like stimming and perseverating (it's a fancy word for obsessing) are now a permanent part of my vocabulary. That I really am going to have to go to another meeting about my child, my formerly sweet, passive, compliant child attacking one of the para educators at school. Or exposing himself on the school bus. That we may never achieve independent toileting and that it's quite possible I'm not going to get a "Mom, I love you," even in ASL without someone else making him do it.
I know in my head that my kiddo loves me and appreciates me but, but. But. It's been a long road to realizing, really accepting this particular limitation and becoming grateful that autism has truly taught me something about what it takes to love unconditionally, without expectation. I thought when I fell in love with my spouse that I had an inkling of what that meant and when I gave birth to my three typical children that I really and truly understood unconditional love. Not so but I'm getting there. We're getting there.
My thanks to Lisa Genova for providing another little piece of the getting there and another window into the world of autism. Excellent read.
So, obviously, I received a copy of this through goodreads first reads from Gallery Books. And it still makes me happy dance just to think about it. Thank you!
About a year ago I totally blasted Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury. As the mother of a 14 year old boy with autism, or 14 year old autistic boy if you prefer, it just didn't scan well for me. There were a number of reasons. Love Anthony sounds like it might be more of the same but somehow I found it so SO much better. If you have already read Lisa Genova, are interested in autism and can embrace (or even just overlook) the belief that the spirit or spiritual presence of a deceased child could guide an author's writing then jump right in, you will not be disappointed. Four and a half stars.
Oh, disclaimer, this is a long one. Can't seem to sum it up.
This is overall a book about relationships, healing, accepting and moving on ... and not particularly in that order. I have read a truck load of books about autism, fact and fiction, it has been a central theme of my life after all, and somehow this one really captured something for me. Genova has captured so many of the feelings I have struggled with, wallowed in and even rejoiced in throughout our personal journey with autism. They are legion and range all over the place and I was so pleased to see them expressed so well through Olivia's journal and memories.
Much to my surprise I also enjoyed Anthony's voice. I had fears it would be just a little too precious but somehow it worked. We too have often wondered, in serious, deep moments of questioning, and the crazy making, frantic "what does he need just to shut up and be calm for a minute" moments and in lighthearted, joking moments, just what IS going on inside the head of our boy. We've come a very long way in our ability to understand the Language of Stims and Acting Out as well as the Language of Significant Looks and sometimes it is truly comical to see the expressions on his face - they are so typically teen - he has truly mastered the "Really, Mom?" look. But he is completely non verbal and resists all other forms of communication (PECS, sign language, even his iTouch) so we mostly are just guessing, always guessing.
One of the hardest things about autism is accepting that the life you expected is not going to happen. There will be some improvements, some delightful surprises but there will disappointments and set backs too. Once we had the diagnosis we too set about trying to help our boy progress. Some things are better than we imagined back in those first weeks and months. Some things we hoped for, still hope for, still work towards, have not happened. A couple times each year I bang my head up against my own personal wall of expectations and spend a week or so feeling not quite but getting close to hopeless as some new behavior manifests and I realize that words like stimming and perseverating (it's a fancy word for obsessing) are now a permanent part of my vocabulary. That I really am going to have to go to another meeting about my child, my formerly sweet, passive, compliant child attacking one of the para educators at school. Or exposing himself on the school bus. That we may never achieve independent toileting and that it's quite possible I'm not going to get a "Mom, I love you," even in ASL without someone else making him do it.
I know in my head that my kiddo loves me and appreciates me but, but. But. It's been a long road to realizing, really accepting this particular limitation and becoming grateful that autism has truly taught me something about what it takes to love unconditionally, without expectation. I thought when I fell in love with my spouse that I had an inkling of what that meant and when I gave birth to my three typical children that I really and truly understood unconditional love. Not so but I'm getting there. We're getting there.
My thanks to Lisa Genova for providing another little piece of the getting there and another window into the world of autism. Excellent read.
October 12, 2012
I’ve never been more excited about a book, than this one....I waited for its release date and purchased it the minute it went on sale....I thought the story line of the book as promised in the synopsis was ingenius....I had read blog posts by the author whose writing I just knew I would love, even though I had not yet had time to try her other books.
The story pulled at my heartstrings as Olivia’s story begins to unfold...as we meet Anthony through her eyes, it is obvious to conclude the author has a solid knowledge of autism and probably even intimately knows a child much like Anthony....but Olivia’s story was interspersed with Beth’s story – struggling to cope with a cheating husband and suddenly becoming single - a story that, to me, did not deserve so much attention and drama. In only a few chapters I did not like Beth – could not connect with her at all, especially her immaturity. I don’t feel like I need to be in love with every character in order for the book to be good, but Beth’s connection to Olivia as the book moves on is integral and I think if I had liked Beth, this coming together of two characters might have had more impact....Instead I found Beth’s part of the book unmoving, dramatic, irritating, and unnecessary in moving the story forward to the point where the women connect...I found myself wanting to skip over the chapters involving her to get to Olivia’s story....instead we spent way too much time with Beth getting dressed or eating. I feel like the point at which the two women’s stories connect could have happened much sooner and allowed for more Anthony, more emotion. But once the two women did meet, Beth admittedly did seem to grow from the experience.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but there were two parts of the book that may very well be life-changing for me..... one was the very last chapter, the epilogue of Beth’s book – With every line of that last letter as written from Anthony, I wept harder...My heart, my chest, my throat, my face, my eyes pulsated with something so painful, yet so beautiful and happy at the same time....This letter can stand on its own...it did not need to be part of a book....and if there is one thing every Mom with a child of Autism should know, it’s the perspective written within that letter....I finished this book on the way to see family, in the car as my husband was driving....my son (my version of Anthony) was not with us...he could not have coped with the outing we were making today....I’ve never longed for him so much as I did after reading this book....
And the second......As a Mom of 3 children with autism, I’m always trying to figure out what my children are thinking, trying to understand their thought process....I think I’ve come up with some good theories, but I believe the passage about Anthony's brain being made up of different rooms is the best I've ever read and one I could never have contrived myself...This passage, several paragraphs long is a solid 5 stars !
Thank you Lisa for your book, but mostly, thank you for the last chapter, for the perspective I needed to hear more than any other ! It is a letter I will read over and over again !
The story pulled at my heartstrings as Olivia’s story begins to unfold...as we meet Anthony through her eyes, it is obvious to conclude the author has a solid knowledge of autism and probably even intimately knows a child much like Anthony....but Olivia’s story was interspersed with Beth’s story – struggling to cope with a cheating husband and suddenly becoming single - a story that, to me, did not deserve so much attention and drama. In only a few chapters I did not like Beth – could not connect with her at all, especially her immaturity. I don’t feel like I need to be in love with every character in order for the book to be good, but Beth’s connection to Olivia as the book moves on is integral and I think if I had liked Beth, this coming together of two characters might have had more impact....Instead I found Beth’s part of the book unmoving, dramatic, irritating, and unnecessary in moving the story forward to the point where the women connect...I found myself wanting to skip over the chapters involving her to get to Olivia’s story....instead we spent way too much time with Beth getting dressed or eating. I feel like the point at which the two women’s stories connect could have happened much sooner and allowed for more Anthony, more emotion. But once the two women did meet, Beth admittedly did seem to grow from the experience.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but there were two parts of the book that may very well be life-changing for me..... one was the very last chapter, the epilogue of Beth’s book – With every line of that last letter as written from Anthony, I wept harder...My heart, my chest, my throat, my face, my eyes pulsated with something so painful, yet so beautiful and happy at the same time....This letter can stand on its own...it did not need to be part of a book....and if there is one thing every Mom with a child of Autism should know, it’s the perspective written within that letter....I finished this book on the way to see family, in the car as my husband was driving....my son (my version of Anthony) was not with us...he could not have coped with the outing we were making today....I’ve never longed for him so much as I did after reading this book....
And the second......As a Mom of 3 children with autism, I’m always trying to figure out what my children are thinking, trying to understand their thought process....I think I’ve come up with some good theories, but I believe the passage about Anthony's brain being made up of different rooms is the best I've ever read and one I could never have contrived myself...This passage, several paragraphs long is a solid 5 stars !
Thank you Lisa for your book, but mostly, thank you for the last chapter, for the perspective I needed to hear more than any other ! It is a letter I will read over and over again !
August 23, 2015
My review of this book may be biased because this story affected me personally, but it delivered a heartfelt message and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While the book deals with loss, I felt the author handled the topic with sensitivity and compassion, weaving in the themes of healing and unconditional love, and at the same time educating the reader on the topic of autism. It is a compelling story of two women and a connection that will change their lives, but it was Olivia and her son’s story that went straight to my heart. Being the mom of a child with Down Syndrome, this story spoke to me on a profound level, as I was able to relate to a lot of the behaviors and challenges that Olivia faced raising her son, Anthony. [Mild spoiler:]
There were lots of fillers and the story could perhaps have even been a little too pat, but still I liked how the author weaved in Beth's story to support Olivia’s and Anthony's. The minor imperfections were completely overshadowed by the culmination of Olivia’s and Anthony’s story, which moved me to tears. What will stay with me is the author’s ability to fully grasp what it can be like communicating with and raising a child who is nonverbal or lacking verbal skills. And what could have been perceived as horrifying in raising a child with these challenges has instead been beautifully portrayed, and in ways I could not have imagined expressing.
The Epilogue had such an important part in making this story an outstanding and completely satisfying read. I had to stop every few sentences to wipe my tears. I highly recommend this beautiful and insightful book, especially to anyone who has someone in their lives with special needs, but it is a book for everyone and will hopefully make you appreciate every life!
There were lots of fillers and the story could perhaps have even been a little too pat, but still I liked how the author weaved in Beth's story to support Olivia’s and Anthony's. The minor imperfections were completely overshadowed by the culmination of Olivia’s and Anthony’s story, which moved me to tears. What will stay with me is the author’s ability to fully grasp what it can be like communicating with and raising a child who is nonverbal or lacking verbal skills. And what could have been perceived as horrifying in raising a child with these challenges has instead been beautifully portrayed, and in ways I could not have imagined expressing.
The Epilogue had such an important part in making this story an outstanding and completely satisfying read. I had to stop every few sentences to wipe my tears. I highly recommend this beautiful and insightful book, especially to anyone who has someone in their lives with special needs, but it is a book for everyone and will hopefully make you appreciate every life!
September 27, 2012
Wow....
Where to begin....
Lisa Genova's books are worth reading! PERIOD! (She is making a difference)---blending stories with read life medical conditions.
In *Still Alice* and *Left Neglected* --the voice & narrator comes from people living with the medical condition they each have. (Dementia in *still Alice*, and a Neurological Syndrome in *Left Neglected*).
In *Love Anthony*,--The narrator of the story does not have the medical condition (Autism) ---but as she uncovers 'her' voice' (side plot: drama 101), --she finds herself channeling the voice of the child who does.
There are problems with this book...
This book blends many subjects, (and one 'wonders' how its all going to relate to Austism) --marriage and fidelity, family, girl-power friendships, Nantucket itself, questions of happiness, loss, death, therapy, communication, love, faith, cosmic world, >>>>all in the framework of AUTISM.
Its the 'blending' (of story with the medical condition) which was a little frustrating during the first half of the book.
It felt like a 'chick' book (ONLY for AWHILE)
It felt like Lisa was going 'off-topic': writing about too many things which didn't feel important to the story (ONLY for AWHILE)
but then.... KEEP READING.....
because, if you don't give up on this book --and read to the very end ---at some point, Lisa Genova will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS off AGAIN!!!!
I 'thought' STILL ALICE was my favorite book she wrote.
but then....I learned about 'Left Neglect' and how it might feel (like nails on a chalk board painful), and that book will stay with me forever, also...
....I 'thought' *LOVE ANTHONY* was looking 'weak'... (for the first half of the book)....
but as I say....
KEEP READING.....
I cried --and cried --and cried....(I was a complete wet-mushy-mess)! THE ENDING of THIS BOOK is THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (makes up for *everything* else you waited through).
Any book which can get me to react THIS much is a book I need to think about.
(not kid myself)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I 'thought' I knew a 'thing-or-two' about Autism ---
but I've expanded my view....(and my compassion). Lisa drove it home deeper for me!!!
I love how in the book 'the voice' of Anthony thinks of his brain visiting different rooms:
The Always room, the counting room, the horror room, memory room, etc.
Its clear to me how a person living with autism might need to hide in his horror room when dealing with too many rules in life which he cannot depend on. (if he can't ALWAYS feel safe for example).
So??? Is Lisa working on another book yet?
Where to begin....
Lisa Genova's books are worth reading! PERIOD! (She is making a difference)---blending stories with read life medical conditions.
In *Still Alice* and *Left Neglected* --the voice & narrator comes from people living with the medical condition they each have. (Dementia in *still Alice*, and a Neurological Syndrome in *Left Neglected*).
In *Love Anthony*,--The narrator of the story does not have the medical condition (Autism) ---but as she uncovers 'her' voice' (side plot: drama 101), --she finds herself channeling the voice of the child who does.
There are problems with this book...
This book blends many subjects, (and one 'wonders' how its all going to relate to Austism) --marriage and fidelity, family, girl-power friendships, Nantucket itself, questions of happiness, loss, death, therapy, communication, love, faith, cosmic world, >>>>all in the framework of AUTISM.
Its the 'blending' (of story with the medical condition) which was a little frustrating during the first half of the book.
It felt like a 'chick' book (ONLY for AWHILE)
It felt like Lisa was going 'off-topic': writing about too many things which didn't feel important to the story (ONLY for AWHILE)
but then.... KEEP READING.....
because, if you don't give up on this book --and read to the very end ---at some point, Lisa Genova will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS off AGAIN!!!!
I 'thought' STILL ALICE was my favorite book she wrote.
but then....I learned about 'Left Neglect' and how it might feel (like nails on a chalk board painful), and that book will stay with me forever, also...
....I 'thought' *LOVE ANTHONY* was looking 'weak'... (for the first half of the book)....
but as I say....
KEEP READING.....
I cried --and cried --and cried....(I was a complete wet-mushy-mess)! THE ENDING of THIS BOOK is THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (makes up for *everything* else you waited through).
Any book which can get me to react THIS much is a book I need to think about.
(not kid myself)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I 'thought' I knew a 'thing-or-two' about Autism ---
but I've expanded my view....(and my compassion). Lisa drove it home deeper for me!!!
I love how in the book 'the voice' of Anthony thinks of his brain visiting different rooms:
The Always room, the counting room, the horror room, memory room, etc.
Its clear to me how a person living with autism might need to hide in his horror room when dealing with too many rules in life which he cannot depend on. (if he can't ALWAYS feel safe for example).
So??? Is Lisa working on another book yet?
October 13, 2013
Olivia Donatelli’s life was shattered. Her wonderful, beautiful but autistic son, Anthony had died. The doctors said she couldn’t have done anymore, but she always wondered. Her marriage to David was also over, the tensions, pressures and finally Anthony’s death had broken them. They were still friends, but even though they continued to love each other, the heartache was too deep for their marriage to survive. So Olivia had left the family home and arrived at their cottage in Nantucket, alone, lonely and totally at a loss as to what to do next.
Beth and Jimmy had three beautiful daughters, Sophie, Jessica and Gracie. Living in Nantucket had been good for them – Jimmy’s job was a good one, hard work, but he enjoyed it. But when he found himself out of work, the situation at home seemed to not be as good as it once was. And when Beth suddenly received the biggest shock of her life, the dynamics changed – devastation was a constant companion.
As these two women’s lives changed, the lives of everyone around them remained the same. The cold winter in Nantucket seemed to bury itself deep inside their souls. Until one day, suddenly and unexpectedly Olivia and Beth had a chance encounter. Once again their lives were due to change. Would they be able to help one another in their grief?
This heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of a mother’s love for her children is a story of loss in its many forms; it is also a story of friendship and love, of change and redemption. I enjoyed this book very much – I think I enjoyed Still Alice and LEFT Neglected a little more, but Lisa Genova has produced another masterpiece. The ending was brilliant, I think it was the most poignant part of the whole book. A book I have no hesitation in recommending.
Beth and Jimmy had three beautiful daughters, Sophie, Jessica and Gracie. Living in Nantucket had been good for them – Jimmy’s job was a good one, hard work, but he enjoyed it. But when he found himself out of work, the situation at home seemed to not be as good as it once was. And when Beth suddenly received the biggest shock of her life, the dynamics changed – devastation was a constant companion.
As these two women’s lives changed, the lives of everyone around them remained the same. The cold winter in Nantucket seemed to bury itself deep inside their souls. Until one day, suddenly and unexpectedly Olivia and Beth had a chance encounter. Once again their lives were due to change. Would they be able to help one another in their grief?
This heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of a mother’s love for her children is a story of loss in its many forms; it is also a story of friendship and love, of change and redemption. I enjoyed this book very much – I think I enjoyed Still Alice and LEFT Neglected a little more, but Lisa Genova has produced another masterpiece. The ending was brilliant, I think it was the most poignant part of the whole book. A book I have no hesitation in recommending.
August 17, 2012
This book was poorly conceived and poorly executed. The characters were cliched and lacking in any sort of depth. The plot was trite and the dialogue overwrought. This book is a huge disappointment after the author's Still Alice and Left Neglected, which were both excellent and very good respectively. If you are a huge Genova fan and can get this book from your library or borrow it for free from someone, then I would give it a try, but I am afraid you will be very upset if you purchase this book; it would be money wasted in my opinion.
April 9, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. My first foray into anything about Autism, here’s a heartfelt story about a woman named Olivia whose son has recently passed. Needless to say he suffered from this tragic diagnosis. The story is also about Beth, who is recently separated from her husband because of his infidelity. Needless to say, these two ladies’ lives cross paths, and they learn a lot from each other. This is a warm and compassionate tale that would appeal to anyone who knows or has a family member with autism. Having read this same author (Still Alice) who also happens to be a neuroscientist, I’m sure I’ll be writing more reviews of books she has authored.
March 2, 2013
This is the third book of Ms Genova that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. Ms Genova has the ability both through her educational training and her spot on character development, to write stories that are extremely meaningful and ever so realistically true.
This time out, Ms Genova tackles in a very humane and intelligent manner the concept of autism and its effect on the family. Anthony, the son, is severely autistic and his mother tries desperately to make a connection, any connection to her son. What I like so much in this book, is the author's ability to speak as the autistic child. So many other authors whom I have read, have great difficulty convincing me that they are the voices of children. However, in the case of this novel, it is not hard to find Anthony's voice even though he does not really have a physical voice.
This book will of course make you think about the concept of autism and how so many believe we are all autistic in some way ourselves. I do have to say that this author's Still Alice is my most favorite of hers. However, Love Anthony is a close second.
I do hope that Dr Genova will continue to write and put forward characters who even though they are embroiled in life's struggles, put forth such a courageous and valiant struggle for recognition. She so often writes of what makes us wonderful and how even though life is oftentimes so cruel, it can be a beautiful thing as well.
This time out, Ms Genova tackles in a very humane and intelligent manner the concept of autism and its effect on the family. Anthony, the son, is severely autistic and his mother tries desperately to make a connection, any connection to her son. What I like so much in this book, is the author's ability to speak as the autistic child. So many other authors whom I have read, have great difficulty convincing me that they are the voices of children. However, in the case of this novel, it is not hard to find Anthony's voice even though he does not really have a physical voice.
This book will of course make you think about the concept of autism and how so many believe we are all autistic in some way ourselves. I do have to say that this author's Still Alice is my most favorite of hers. However, Love Anthony is a close second.
I do hope that Dr Genova will continue to write and put forward characters who even though they are embroiled in life's struggles, put forth such a courageous and valiant struggle for recognition. She so often writes of what makes us wonderful and how even though life is oftentimes so cruel, it can be a beautiful thing as well.
September 4, 2012
I like to read historical fiction but every now and then I find a novel of contemporary fiction or a memoir that grabs my attention and I give it a try. More often than not my book club chooses something out of my preferred genre and I that's how I read something different. Which is why I read Lisa Genova's 'Still Alice' this spring. I was totally blown away by that book, I can honestly say I have never read a book that moved me as much as that did. I thought the realism was amazing, it was so well done, well written, well thought out, really a great book. I highly recommend it (but have your tissues ready). So, when I saw 'Love Anthony' I was excited to read another book by this author.
Unfortunately I didn't care for this story at all. There was too much attention to unimportant details that didn't enrich the story or develop the characters. And I didn't care for the dialogue or the characters themselves, they didn't feel authentic to me. The beginning of the story where Beth discovers the card in the mail seemed a bit cheesy. If I hadn't know I would never have guessed that these two books were written by the same author. 'Love Anthony' just does not have the same feel for realism that 'Still Alice' has.
I can see how fans of chick-lit might like this and readers who haven't read 'Still Alice' might not have such high expectations for Genova's writing.
Sadly this one wasn't for me.
Unfortunately I didn't care for this story at all. There was too much attention to unimportant details that didn't enrich the story or develop the characters. And I didn't care for the dialogue or the characters themselves, they didn't feel authentic to me. The beginning of the story where Beth discovers the card in the mail seemed a bit cheesy. If I hadn't know I would never have guessed that these two books were written by the same author. 'Love Anthony' just does not have the same feel for realism that 'Still Alice' has.
I can see how fans of chick-lit might like this and readers who haven't read 'Still Alice' might not have such high expectations for Genova's writing.
Sadly this one wasn't for me.
July 16, 2021
Mi-a plăcut enorm această carte minunată despre iertare, relații de familie tensionate, puterea de a înfrunta boala cu seninătate. Subiectul este unul trist prezentând portretul unui pianist afectat de SLA (scleroză laterală amiotrofică), dar autoarea reușește să te captiveze printr-o scriere frumoasă plină de compasiune.
Recomand!
"Ziua învăța Bach și Mozart, iar nopțile formele lui, primele și ultimele note ale fiecărei zi fiind cântate pe corpurile lor."
"Neuronii lui mor, iar mușchii alimentați de aceștia duc o lipsă acută de energie."
Recomand!
"Ziua învăța Bach și Mozart, iar nopțile formele lui, primele și ultimele note ale fiecărei zi fiind cântate pe corpurile lor."
"Neuronii lui mor, iar mușchii alimentați de aceștia duc o lipsă acută de energie."
September 24, 2017
Holy cow! What did I just read? This book ... is full of so much emotion. The ending got me! I had to walk away, get a tissue and come back. Tearful ending but oh so beautifully written! Another beautiful book by the wonderful Lisa Genova. She really is a genius and I devour everything she has written. Just fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 17, 2012
This book did not work for me. The character of Elizabeth, could have been written for the dramatic interplay found on most soap operas. Although there were a few poignant moments with the character of Olivia, the long drawn out descriptions quickly overwhelmed the few choice moments. I just didn't connect with either of these characters and this novel almost seemed overly written and overly dramatic in a somewhat snarly way. I did love her first few books so will definitely read her next. ARC from publisher.
July 6, 2015
3.5 Stars
It took me a while to become truly interested, but once Beth began writing 'her thoughts' of a young boy with autism from his own perspective of the world in which he lives, I was hooked.
In this heartfelt work of fiction, the precious gift of a story from one broken-hearted wife and mother to another ultimately brings answers to uncertainty and hope for new beginnings.
Lisa Genova does a great job of expressing the true meaning of "unconditional" love in this rewarding read.
February 26, 2016
Wow! Lisa Genova does it again.
February 4, 2013
This book was Amazing!! My first book by Lisa Genova, and will be reading the other two as soon as possible! I loved the author’s usage of words to describe each scene in detail, which puts you in the setting as if you were experiencing its first hand-- from the items in a room, the senses, feelings, touch – making it so real and powerful!
This was a poignant, powerful, and heartfelt story of two women--their paths crossing at a time with strength from each other without knowing it. Olivia, mother of an autistic son trying to make peace of her son’s brief life, and Beth a mother of three who has just found out her husband was cheating and how to deal with his unfaithfulness and move on or learn to trust again with unconditional love.
I loved the setting in Nantucket which is one of my favorites and the fact both women had a creative past and now seeking solitude. Beth a writer and Olivia a photographer and former editor-both having given up their passion and finding it once again through this special little boy which binds the two strangers together for a life lesson. The book club, the girlfriends, the reaching inside the mind and behavior of a child with autism is a lesson for all of us that sometimes it is OK to just “Be” and not doing.
I loved all parts of the book, the characters, and most of all- the epilogue which was so eloquently written! I look forward to reading more from Lisa Genova as she has just been added to my favorite author list!
This was a poignant, powerful, and heartfelt story of two women--their paths crossing at a time with strength from each other without knowing it. Olivia, mother of an autistic son trying to make peace of her son’s brief life, and Beth a mother of three who has just found out her husband was cheating and how to deal with his unfaithfulness and move on or learn to trust again with unconditional love.
I loved the setting in Nantucket which is one of my favorites and the fact both women had a creative past and now seeking solitude. Beth a writer and Olivia a photographer and former editor-both having given up their passion and finding it once again through this special little boy which binds the two strangers together for a life lesson. The book club, the girlfriends, the reaching inside the mind and behavior of a child with autism is a lesson for all of us that sometimes it is OK to just “Be” and not doing.
I loved all parts of the book, the characters, and most of all- the epilogue which was so eloquently written! I look forward to reading more from Lisa Genova as she has just been added to my favorite author list!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,778 reviews