Author / Writer / Book
Lover - which are you?
MA ~ I am all of the above. I have articles in local publications, including Her Voice and Lake Country Journal. I am also a playwright and teach theatre
classes for kids where I help them write an original script. My play Coffee Shop Confessions was performed in
the Brainerd lakes area in 2012.
Title of Fiction book
and year published
Left Neglected by Lisa
Genova, published 2011.
Type of book
MA ~ Left Neglected is probably considered women’s fiction,
but it is not a romance, or just about women’s issues. In fact, I believe
anyone who is interested in the brain, what happens after a traumatic brain
injury, and the complicated relationships that surround the main character
would be interested in reading this book.
What is it about this
book that pulled you in?
MA ~ Lisa Genova is the author of the bestseller Still Alice, about a woman who is diagnosed with early onset
Alzheimer’s Disease, (coming soon to a movie theater near you). It is one of
the most fascinating books I have ever read. When I saw that she had written
two more books, I quickly bought them. Lisa Genova has a PhD. in Neuroscience
from Harvard University. She has studied the brain. She brings this knowledge
to her books, and creates authentic, credible characters to tell their story.
She writes in a way that the story seems more like a memoir than a novel.
Is there a relationship
in the story that resonated with you?
MA ~ Yes. The main character, Sarah, has to examine all her relationships
after the accident that caused her Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I was especially
curious how her mom found her way back into Sarah’s life after the accident.
Do you think that
relationship was portrayed realistically?
MA ~ Lisa Genova is a very realistic writer. All her characters and setting,
including the relationships feel very real.
Anything else you want
to tell us about the book without giving away too much of the plot?
MA ~ I truly cared about the characters in this book. I was rooting for Sarah,
agonizing over her injuries and limitations, and praying for recovery of both
her body and relationships. Before the accident, her life was like a whirling
fan spinning out of control, always set on top speed. Her relationships weren’t
good before the accident. And, after it, they all needed to gain some
perspective. I was fascinated by Genova’s descriptions of what it is like to
experience TBI and have one half of your world disappear. It was like Sarah
didn’t realize she had a left arm or leg, or that the room extended past her
mid-line.
JHA ~ Thank you so much, Mary, for sharing this great book (my favorite of Lisa Genova's!)
To Connect with Mary:
MA ~ My website is Play off the Page, where I write reviews for theatre, events, food, travel, and sometimes books, as well as whatever inspires me. You can also find me on facebook or twitter. Go. Create. Inspire!
Attention readers ~ Have YOU read this book? If so, tell us what YOU thought of it!
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I have written two comments and hesitate to write the same thing a third time. I will post this to see what is published.
ReplyDeleteOk, my previous posts are not there, here goes. Mary, my career interest as a social worker has been behavioural health. I am particularly interested in how the physical body affects thoughts and behaviours. Thank you for recommending this book and author.
ReplyDeleteYou'll love her books, Sue, very well researched.
DeleteSusan, I know! Blogger can be a bugger! I found this a captivating read. I couldn't put it down. I was so fascinated by how her life was affected by her TBI.
ReplyDeleteI loved the sense of humor she gave Sarah (the main character) in the face of what she was dealing with. It is my favorite Lisa Genova novel!
ReplyDeleteLisa Genova writes great books. She researches and incorporates medical information into a story with characters you just can't let go off. As an RN, I love her work and value it. Though I think STILL ALICE, her first, was even better, LEFT NEGLECTED was amazing too and filled in gaps in my understanding of the brain and how it works. A plus in the reading. Thanks, Jill and Mary.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth, for reminding me about STILL ALICE. I read it so long ago, maybe I better read that one again too, or at least see the movie when it comes out!
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