Every Note Played by Lisa Genova Published by Simon and Schuster on March 20, 2018
Genres: Fiction / Family Life / General, Fiction / Medical, Fiction / Women
Pages: 320
Format: eBook
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“Unsparing in her depiction of the disease’s harrowing effects, neuroscientist Genova also celebrates humanity.” —People
“Sometimes it’s easier to tell truth in fiction…And she tells it with heart and hope.” —NPR
“Her juxtaposition of scientific detail with compassionate, heartfelt storytelling is unparalleled.” —Bookreporter
“Every Note Played will grip and gut you.” —The Boston Globe
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.
On the surface, Every Note Played is a book about ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease). But there are so many more layers throughout this book that stretch beyond ALS, but that’s the thread that tells the story. It’s the story of a man who was extremely gifted, beyond talented, who has his own complex relationships while also being exactly what you expect from a musical genius – Playboy. It’s the story of an ex-wife who has been changing who she is, putting her own dreams on hold since they were dating to cushion his ego. And despite all the animosity of their divorce, of the drama, she continues to put her life on hold for him . . . to the very end.
This was a hard listen for me (yes, I audio’d it). Well, it wasn’t until it was about chapter 31. I didn’t anticipate it to be a difficult listen, so honestly, it took me off guard. I’ve never known anyone with ALS, and while I’m familiar with the it, it’s not personal to me. But I did deal with end-of-life decisions last year for my Mom. And those parts, those sections, those decisions being made felt very real, very raw, and very similar without being exactly the same. Ya’ll, this is a great book, but it’s not sunshine and roses; there is no unicorn glitter. The people are so believable (if not infuriating: Richard, who feels so narcissistic, and Karina, with allowing it to happen). The pain is real, the decisions are heartbreaking. But this is a mainstream book, so there are some adult situations and language that may be off-putting for some readers. Just a Heads Up!
I felt this book. It made me cry, but it also made me laugh. Karina, with her quote: Being right is her drug of choice. I felt so convicted with that line, not going to lie. Are the characters loveable . . . eh. Does their situation feel so very real . . . 1000% yes. There is no happy ending, per se. But I think we have become so used to our fictional worlds giving us that when reality is so very different. But this book was the perfect intersection of reality with fiction. This is the second book I’ve read (and loved) by Lisa Genova, and I’m already thinking which one I want to read next.
About Lisa Genova
Acclaimed as the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science, Lisa Genova is the New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, Inside the O’Briens, and Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting. Still Alice was adapted into an Oscar–winning film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, and Kristen Stewart. Lisa graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University. She is featured in the documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg. Her TED talks on Alzheimer’s disease and memory have been viewed over eleven million times.
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