Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Every Note Played Book Review

Every Note Played Book Review
Every Note Played: A Novel by Lisa Genova

Welcome to the world of the classical pianist or rather, to the world of a famous classical pianist who has ALS.

Stay with him as the disease progresses through his body and takes away not just his ability to play the piano. Watch as it quickly robs him of all of his body functions starting with the use of his arms and legs and going on to eventually claim his ability to talk, to eat and even to breathe.

I am sure that introduction will NOT make you want you to read Every Note Played by Lisa Genova but please do not let it put you off. As the cover says, this books contains “searing writing and it is a must read.”

Genova is a neuroscientist who writes books about people living with neurological diseases. She wrote Still Alice, which was about the life of a women with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

As a matter of fact, Every Note Played relates directly to Still Alice. The man who directed the movie Still Alice was diagnosed with ALS shortly before he read the story and he directed the movie while suffering the symptoms. He did so without a voice and using one finger on an iPad.

We have all heard of ALS, of the Ice Bucket Challenge and know that Stephen Hawking had it. However, many of us do not know much about the disease nor do we really understand what it is like to live with it. Every Note Played will change that fact.

Genova reads the medical books, interviews the experts and gets to know the patients so that we do not have to. Using that thorough research into all aspects of the disease, she brings us information about the disease in the form of a fictional story.

In Every Note Played, there are some truly exceptional and caring people but there is also one totally selfish individual. He just happens to be one of two main characters and the one who has ALS. Imagine being a caregiver for someone who never thought of anyone except himself before he became sick. Doesn't sound great, does it? It certainly makes an interesting story and, of course, not only nice people get ALS. Even unpleasant people need the support of family, friends and the health care system when they are stricken with any disease.

I do recommend this book though, of course, the subject matter is not pretty. It is honest and it is truly a look into living with ALS. It is a medical drama that you will want to end sooner than it does but it manages to be a page turner despite the subject matter. It is a horrible disease but this book, while educational in terms of the disease, is also a well-crafted story about family relations, love and forgiveness. My heart goes out to those stricken with ALS and my wonder, amazement and gratitude goes out to the people who act as caregivers. If you want to learn more, read Every Note Played, which you can find on Amazon right here.

See you
At the book store!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy your copy of Every Note Played on Amazon.


Every Note Played by Lisa Genova









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9 comments:

  1. Brenda, ALS, its affects on the patient and on the caregivers, is truly heartbreaking. I remember how strongly I felt when I read "Tuesdays with Morrie", so I know I will have similar feelings about Every Note Played. Thank you for your recommendation.

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  2. Wow, this is timely. While I don't have anyone with ALS (thank God), I do have someone with the start of Alzheimer’s.....so maybe I should start with Still Alice and work my way to Every Note Played. Thank you for a great recommendation.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear that, Grammie. My mother is having dementia / Alzheimer's issues, too. I need to read Still Alice, though I did see the movie.

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  3. I know very little about ALS. I suspect a lot of people are like me and only know about the disease because of Stephen Hawking, but what a horrible disease! I have no doubt, this book would be very enlightening and hopefully cause all of us to appreciate our physical abilities so much more. We take walking, talking, using our hands, etc. for granted. Just reading the review reminds me that I have much to be thankful for.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Cynthia. I am thankful, too and this book was very enlightening.

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  4. Excellent review. I started reading this book last week. At first, I wasn't sure I could handle the heartbreak of experiencing, even virtually, the heartbreak of ALS. I'm going to stick it out based on what you have shared here. I'll be back to comment further after finishing Every Note Played.

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  5. I loved the movie Still Alice. But I never really thought about the book or the author. I'm glad to know about this book. Thank you for the review.

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  6. Just over 20 years ago we lost my aunt to ALS, it really is a heartbreaking disease. I think it's one of the worse diseases because your mind is still aware of what's happening, it's cruel. Anyway I think I'll skip reading the book, but I did enjoy the review.

    ReplyDelete

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