Between recruiting the best and brightest minds as the vice president of human resources at Berkley Consulting; shuttling the kids to soccer, day care, and piano lessons; convincing her son’s teacher that he may not, in fact, have ADD; and making it home in time for dinner, it’s a wonder this over-scheduled, over-achieving Harvard graduate has time to breathe.
A self-confessed balloon about to burst, Sarah miraculously manages every minute of her life like an air traffic controller. Until one fateful day, while driving to work and trying to make a phone call, she looks away from the road for one second too long. In the blink of an eye, all the rapidly moving parts of her jam-packed life come to a screeching halt.
A traumatic brain injury completely erases the left side of her world, and for once, Sarah relinquishes control to those around her, including her formerly absent mother. Without the ability to even floss her own teeth, she struggles to find answers about her past and her uncertain future.
Now, as she wills herself to regain her independence and heal, Sarah must learn that her real destiny—her new, true life—may in fact lie far from the world of conference calls and spreadsheets. And that a happiness and peace greater than all the success in the world is close within reach, if only she slows down long enough to notice.
Reading this book left me unsettled and twitchy. I did not think it would affect me so. Fourteen months ago TBI (traumatic brain injury) touched our family. My niece's husband (a police officer) was involved in an accident that led to a TBI. While the book was well written and hopeful, I kept thinking about the fears and frustrations, the two steps forward and then three steps back. Thankfully his recovery had been excellent. For me it was hard to quit thinking about Rich and enjoy this story.Author: Lisa Genova
Published: January 2011
Pages: 322
Genre: Fiction
Source: Library
Finished: 3-12-11
10 comments:
Nise, I started this one this morning.
Sometimes books are to make us reach out to family/friends. I like that LisaG's writing does make you think about life.
Hope Rich is doing well.
Nise, I can understand your experience with this book. It took me a long time to be able to read Genova's other book, STILL ALICE. It hit so close to home. While I was glad I read it and I've recommended it to anyone dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia issues, it was tough.
I was not as personally invested in this topic and so LEFT NEGLECTED did not hit me like STILL ALICE. I do think Lisa Genova has a gift for making the science seem accessible while also describing medical conditions that are so heart-wrenching.
So sorry about your niece's husband. I hope his recovery continues to go well. :-)
I was responsible for visiting TBI facilities, and honestly, that is a tough disability. I've avoided this book so far, but do want to read it.
I'm so sorry that this happened to a loved one. I'm glad that his recovery has been excellent though.
* I certainly want to read this one. I may actually buy it on the Kindle!!
I can imagine this must have hit home with you. I was so unsettled bynher previous book, Still Alice, and hope to read this one too.
Oh my, I *bet* this was an emotional read for you. I do want to read it. So glad your nephew-in-law has recovered.
The sign of a good read? perhaps. I haven't read Still Alice for that very reason, I'm avoiding it. But,... and we may have indeed ran into each other on our travels. I'm the one stalking you. I find your recommendations work for me, and I'm basically lazy, so thank you for doing my work for me.
TBIs are so hit or miss with the prognosis;some do well others do not. Sounds like a tough read. Not sure that's my thing right now.
Great review and glad to hear your niece's husband is doing well.
I'm glad that your niece's husband is doing well. Looks like this one really hit hime for you.
I keep picking this one up and putting it back down again. I read her other one, Still Alice and it made such an impact on me I don't know if I can read this one.
It's hard to read something that is a part of your life in some way.
Prayers to Rich!
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