Fifty-year-old Alice Howland, a Harvard professor of cognitive psychology, is at the top of her game. Her kids are grown, her marriage secure, her career on fire when suddenly, after mere months of forgetfulness, she finds herself in the rapidly downward spiral of early onset Alzheimer's Disease.
With no cure or treatment, Alice struggles to find meaning and purpose in her everyday life as her concept of self gradually slips away, leaving her unable to work, read, take care of herself, recognize her loved ones-even understand that she has a neurodegenerative disease. Without memory or hope, she is forced to live in the moment, which is in turns beautiful, terrifying, and maddening.
Genova uses the successful, articulate, and independent Alice as the perfect vehicle to capture what it feels like to literally lose your mind. You'll admire Alice's strength and resourcefulness even as you cry over her losses. Still Alice brings new understanding for all those affected by this terrible neurological disease.
An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages currently have Alzheimer's Disease, including 13 percent of all people age sixty-five and over. Approximately 500,000 of those suffer from early onset.