Log #1

Book: Still Alice
Author: Lisa Genova
Page: P181-P262 (82pages)

 
   Two years ago, Julianne Moore, an actress, won the 87th Acadamy Award for Best Actress. She played a linguist named Alice who worked at Harvard University. With three lovely children and a husband who also worked at Harvard, she lived a happy and successful life. However, her life was completely shattered when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer.  The reason why I chose this book to read is simply because my name is Alice too. It all started when Alice found out she couldn't remember her way home when doing her regular jogging. She kept forgetting things on her schedule and getting lost while having a conversation with others. Also, she had a hard time finding words to express her thoughts. She went to see a doctor and couldn't believe that she had an Alzheimer's disease.

     This is the first time I read a book concerning Alzheimer's disease. I enjoy the way how the author described Alice's symptom. For example, Alice had created a simple test for herself to examine whether her condition was getting worse. By her answers to that test, I could witness how serious Alice's illness had been, and my emotions went ups and downs with the plot. After watching this book, I have more understanding about Alzheimer. I know that when someone has this disease, both of the patient and his or her family suffer. However, there are far more books focusing on patients' family, friends and people surrounding them while few books writing about patients' feelings and their struggling. Patients are forced to stay home doing nothing and just fooling around when waiting for their caregivers. Most of the patients having Alzheimer have no choice but to quit their jobs, so they can't find the purpose in lives. They will feel alone, being isolated from the world; thus, feeling anxious and hopeless. What family can do is give patients something to do; something can distract them from feeling aimless.  In addition, the writer raised another problem which nowadays lots of parents would have with their kids. That is the issue of whether children should go pursuing their dreams without studying in college or finishing their college first. In this book, Alice and her daughter found this topic a challenge. Whenever Alice brought up this talk, they would end up fighting. To cope with this dilemma, both parents and children should put themselves in each other's shoes.

     In conclusion, what makes this book attractive is that the writer put tons of details for the readers to discover the process of the plot. Sometimes you cannot understand why the character says or does that; however, after going back to read again, you will find the author has already explained by giving clues in sentence and words.