Brantford Public Library's Online Book Club discussion

We learn a lot about Huntington's Disease in this book. Particularly in the chapter where Katie goes to genetic counseling.

Were you interested in the scientific facts? Did it add to the story, or were you more interested in the human aspect of the story?

In your opinion, was the book written to inform or entertain?

I think the details were a very important part of the story but I must admit I was more interested in the family itself.

I had read this book when it was first released and then read it again for book club. It was a different experience the 2nd time around. The first time I was very interested in the facts about the disease but the second time around, I found them a bit tedious, obviously because I already knew most of it from the first reading.

I do feel the book was written to inform but Genova's skill with her characters also made the story engaging and interesting.

I found the medical details very interesting and I was appreciative of them. If they had not been given I would have gone to the Mayo clinic website and found out more. The info we did learn was sufficient and necessary to complete the story.
But, this story for me is all about the characters. The author has fleshed them out so well, they were real.
I think most fiction authors have a desire to entertain on some level, but this book was all about delivering the facts about Huntington's and the emotional and physical effects on the people and their families. It was very informative; but thankfully delivered in such a way that kept you reading. You end up really caring for Joe and his family. Entertaining? No, there were maybe two light moments in the book...one when Joe suggested someone should study his wife's corned beef and cabbage.