I'm looking for the title and/or author of a book written by an Alzheimer's patient. It's something like "Looking for Alice", or "What happened to Alice?" or "Where is Alice?" or "Where did Alice go?" It was published recently, I understand.
What a coincidence, someone told me about this last week--then I was in the grocery store a few days later and picked up a copy. I just finished it yesterday! Can't wait till others here read it--I want to discuss it, but don't want to say anything before others have completed it. It's a quick read--and unlike the other books I've heard of or read on AD, this one's a novel. In addition, the main character has EOAD. Please post as soon as you have read it.
marilyninMD, I heard about it from a lawyer next to me on the stationary bikes at the YWCA. (We had known each other for a few years from the Y.) His mother has Alzheimer's, and he helped me get live-in help when I was trying to keep my husband at home. So whenever we meet, we exchange Alzheimer's news. I think my review is going to be awhile from now. Although the library has many copies, there are many ahead of me. But I'ld like to hear your views now. Even thought it's fiction, does it have a ring of truth about it? It must be hitting some cord to have become popular so quickly
ok--since you asked. The main character is a woman in her early 50's, a Harvard professor, who is diagnosed with EOAD. The book is written from her point of view. Yes, it rings very true in terms of how the disease process unfolds, her emotions, etc. At first I was put off by her husband's reactions; also, I felt that the character of the husband wasn't fully developed--then I said to myself--well, if it's from the perspective of someone with AD, how could his character be fully developed? These are her perceptions of his reaction. Here's the strange thing though--I was told to have a box of kleenex handy. Now, I am a crier. I cry at happy, sad, touching, etc. Many times I cry reading some of the posts on this website. However, I didn't shed one tear! Can't say why--again, I think it's because I was more of a detached observer rather than getting "into" the story and characters. Must be the author's writing style? However, it did keep my interest and I would highly recommend it. I was surprised, however, since this hit so close to home (my husband has EOAD) that I wasn't affected more emotionally. But it did reflect very well the unique EOAD issues, for example, having to give up a job one loves. I would love to hear your opinion, especially because you and your husband are writers. One reason I purchased it instead of going to the library is because I want to loan it to my friends, so they can get a peek at what my husband's life is like. I think it will have a different impact than what I am able to tell them.
Thanks very much for your interesting comments. I'm not prejudging the book because I haven't read it yet, and I'll try to keep an open mind, but perhaps it's the "fiction" that gets in the way. I know there are some accounts written by people who have had the disease and who have tried to record their emotions and the progress of the disease. Those grab me: they're honest. Is there any mention in the book blurb about where the author got her information? Was it close at hand? One thing I know from my own writing - if I cry when I'm writing it, then I know it's good, I've got to the truth. Maybe that's why your tears didn't come.
NancyB--After reading about that on this website, I have it on my list to get from the library. Isn't that the sequel to "Alzheimer's--A Love Story"? Haven't read either yet.
Mary75--She's a PhD in neuroscience at Harvard, so her work gave her entree to people with EOAD; her grandmother had AD (at an advanced age); and this is her first novel. The Alz Assn did endorse her book, which they don't usually do. I guess I saw it as an educational work, rather than one that sucks you in and makes you really identify with the characters.
MarilyninMD, YES, it is a sequel to "Alzheimer's - A Love Story". However, that is written when they are entering the first stage of EOAD. The second book begins by reviewing that stage (and book) briefly and gets on with him in Mid Stage and beyond. I enjoyed this book so much, I couldn't put it down! The family situation (in her case) is extraordinarily unique - a gay son and a daughter married to a a Brazilian man who is a follower of Hare Krishna. but they are a loving close knit loving family!!! I think you only need to read the second book! I bought book one afterwards, and it was more of a re-read. (I bought six extra copies of "A Curious Kind of Widow" to share with my friends.
Thanks, Nancy, I'll just get the second one. What did your friends say after they had read it? Could they identify with your situation any more than before?
I shared it with friends who had spouses with Alzheimers. They are in my caregiver support group that meets twice a month. They have said the same thing... that it's almost exactly like the steps in their lives with dementia. The only difference is that my husband does not go to a day care center. We tried that, but he was a mess and refused to go the next day. He thinks he's "above these people" in intellect and class. So incredibly UNTRUE...SOOO SOOOO Untrue. He thinks he's still a big time business executive.
That being said, I discovered him in our living room, at 7:30 in the morning yesterday, in a suitcoat,starched shirt and tie...but totally naked from the waist down. He said he was waiting for those "important people to arrive". I played along and said they had cancelled the meeting, so he was willing to change into more casual clothes. ..... just another day in our lives..right?
OH, mine does that too, Nancy. He's waiting for people to arrive for the celebration of his winning $1 million prize from CalTech (his alma mater). "When are the guests arriving?" is his frequent question.
oh don't you wish he HAD won $1,000,000 from CalTech. We're Clemson University alumni (South Carolina) and all they do is write US for donations. Don't thing they give Alumni a single dime!
That million would certainly solve alot of problems, wouldn't it. You could build him a cottage and install round the clock caregivers and just visit! Plus,you could buy a little house on the Island!
My husband also talks about guests - when are they arriving or have they all left now? One evening he appeared for dinner (just the two of us) in a short sleeved shirt, tie, short shorts, white socks and black dress shoes. It was so funny but I acted as if everything was normal. What's next?
I just put up the Amazon links to all 3 books - Still Alice, Alzheimer's - A Love Story, and A Curious Kind of Widow. They are on the right side of the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com. I believe they are all available "used" at much lower prices.
FYI, if you look at the condition the used book is in, and pay attention to the reviews people have posted about the book seller, you can sometimes get new-looking books this way for very little money. I've ordered several through amazon.com and been very pleased.
Agreed, Sunshyne. It's like having The Strand bookstore in NYC on tap: a lot of the "used" books are reviewer copies seeded out to news media, and sold off by the recipients. Never opened! Beautiful example of waste in the private sector being turned to someone's advantage!