I was attracted to this book by the excellent reviews it was given plus the fact that, as a woman of a certain age, I am becoming increasingly aware of my own mortality. The author is a neuroscientist at Harvard and she used her years of experience to write this debut novel. I suspect she may have used herself as the model for the main character Alice, who also is a well-respected Harvard professor who faces her diagnosis and progressing illness with courage and determination.

I made myself read this heart-breaking book until the bitter end and cried more than once at the cruelty of this disease and at the beauty of telling of this story. Although I can’t recommend this as a cheerful, escapist read, I am glad I read it and have a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on its victims as well as their families.

I was reminded of Bette Davis’s words, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.”

--Recommended by Ellen

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