Thursday, January 29, 2015

"Inside the O'Briens"

"Inside the O'Briens" by Lisa Genova (love her!)
Published by Gallery Books
Advanced copy from NetGalley - finished 1/29/15


4/5 stars!


I truly enjoyed reading Lisa Genova’s other 3 books and as expected, I enjoyed this one as well.    Although she has a PhD in neuroscience, Ms. Genova has a way of educating you on a brain related issue without writing “above” you.  She weaves the information into her stories naturally, without any kind of text book feel to it.  It is truly an art.


With her latest upcoming novel, “Inside the O’Briens”, we are taken into the world of Huntington’s Disease- a genetic disease that creates mood swings and takes away muscle control, eventually leading to death.  As the O’Brien children (early 20s) hear of their father’s diagnosis, they are also told that each of them has a 50% chance of having it as well.  The story then follows the family’s lives for a year, watching the father’s symptoms grow, seeing how he and the entire family are dealing with his deterioration, and seeing how each child deals with the choices given to them as to whether or not to test for the gene and regardless, how to live their lives in the shadow of such a disease.  It truly makes you think – what would I do?


Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.   

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