Happy Release Day!!
Every Note Played
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
Print and e-book, 320 pages
Published March 20th 2018 by Scout Press
From neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice comes a powerful exploration of regret, forgiveness, freedom, and what it means to be alive.
An accomplished concert pianist, Richard received standing ovations from audiences all over the world in awe of his rare combination of emotional resonance and flawless technique. Every finger of his hands was a finely calibrated instrument, dancing across the keys and striking each note with exacting precision. That was eight months ago.
Richard now has ALS, and his entire right arm is paralyzed. His fingers are impotent, still, devoid of possibility. The loss of his hand feels like a death, a loss of true love, a divorce—his divorce.
He knows his left arm will go next.
Three years ago, Karina removed their framed wedding picture from the living room wall and hung a mirror there instead. But she still hasn’t moved on. Karina is paralyzed by excuses and fear, stuck in an unfulfilling life as a piano teacher, afraid to pursue the path she abandoned as a young woman, blaming Richard and their failed marriage for all of it.
When Richard becomes increasingly paralyzed and is no longer able to live on his own, Karina becomes his reluctant caretaker. As Richard’s muscles, voice, and breath fade, both he and Karina try to reconcile their past before it’s too late.
Poignant and powerful, Every Note Played is a masterful exploration of redemption and what it means to find peace inside of forgiveness.
My thoughts about Every Note Played ~~
First line—"Richard is playing the second movement of the Schumann's Fantasie in C Major, op. 17, the final piece of his solo recital at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. The concert hall is sold-out, yet the energy here doesn't feel full."
I love how Lisa Genova takes a serious medical condition, a condition that affects a lot of people, and humanizes it. After reading one her books, I come away with a better understanding of what their lives must be like and what they and their loved ones have to go through.
Richard was a very talented pianist when he got the diagnosis of ALS, which started by paralyzing his right arm. Of course, he was in denial for quite awhile but it ultimately ended his career. It was heartbreaking to watch him struggle to try to maintain as normal of a life as he can.
Karina, his ex-wife, steps up and becomes his caregiver, basically because he has no one else. As the two of them struggle to get through the days and nights and the changes in Richard's condition, they come to realize what's important. The decisions that had to be made are tough ones and make this story a very emotional read.
I truly appreciate the education and understanding that I get from reading one of Lisa's books. Once again, she has created a touching, beautiful story about another devastating disease that affects so many people.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.
About the author
Acclaimed as the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science, Lisa has captured a special place in contemporary fiction, writing stories that are equally inspired by neuroscience and the human spirit. She is author of the New York Times bestselling novels, Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, and Inside the O'Briens.
Still Alice was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and Hunter Parrish. Julianne Moore won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland.
In 2015, Lisa was named one of the U.S. Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. She has appeared on Dr. Oz, the TODAY show, CNN, PBS Newshour, and NPR.
Her TED Talk, "What You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's" was seen by more than 2 million viewers in its first few months.
She received The Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square, for "distinguished storytelling that has enriched the public dialogue," The Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award, The Global Genes RARE Champions of Hope Award, and The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Media Award for "informing the public about Treatment and ongoing research in medical illness."
In 2016, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bates College, The Alzheimer's Association's Rita Hayworth Award, and The Huntington’s Disease Society of America Community Awareness Award.
Her fifth novel, Every Note Played, is about ALS and will be published on March 20th, 2018. ~ Author website
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