Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
by Jenners • 05/28/2012 • 3.5 Stars, Contemporary, Fiction, G Authors, L Titles • 77 Comments
Left Neglected by Lisa GenovaPublisher: Gallery Books, 2011
Pages: 352
Genre: Fiction
Where I Got It: Bought it for my Kindle
Why I Read It: After being blown away by Genova’s first book, Still Alice, I knew I wanted to read her second book as well
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Book Description
Sarah Nickerson is an upwardly mobile mother of three who works 80-hours a week at a high-powered job for a consulting firm near Boston. When we meet her, we quickly realize that Sarah’s life is overly scheduled, with little time for relaxation, her children or personal time. She’s the type of mom who shows up at a soccer game once a season and spends the entire game trying to find cell phone coverage to conduct a conference call for work. Then a car accident leaves her with a traumatic brain injury and a condition known as Left Neglect, which means she is unaware of anything on her left, including her own body. The accident puts the brakes on her non-stop lifestyle … even bringing her long estranged mother back into her life. As Sarah struggles to learn to cope with Left Neglect, her life begins to change drastically, but perhaps in a way that is better for her and her family.
My Thoughts
Neuroscientist Genova’s first book, Still Alice, dealt with another neurological condition, Alzheimer’s disease. It was artfully down and affected me emotionally. (I think I was sobbing through the entire last third of the book.) Genova has a gift for writing about neurological conditions and helping the reader to experience these conditions by writing from a patient’s point of view. Although she manages to clearly and thoroughly explain the challenges facing people with Left Neglect, the book just doesn’t pack the same emotional punch as Still Alice. Although Left Neglect is a fascinating condition, it just isn’t as heart-breaking as Alzheimer’s.
Another reason I felt less involved with this story is because the Sarah we first meet in this book is somewhat unlikable. Her life seems ridiculously busy and structured, and I found myself wondering why she even bothered to have children in the first place. They seemed like something to be managed rather than loved. Her focus on her career and doing everything and doing it perfectly seemed shallow and empty. I didn’t really like her all that much. I see why Genova may have made Sarah this way (so she can experience an epiphany as she is forced to slow down due to the accident), but it felt too manufactured to feel authentic. Plus I just didn’t think the ending that Genova gave Sarah and her family was realistic. It felt too convenient and tidy. I think that perhaps Genova’s background as a neuroscientist is her strength and her novel-writing skills haven’t caught up. She is brilliant at explaining the medical stuff but her story idea felt too much like a connect the dots plot.
Still, the book isn’t bad, and the condition of Left Neglect was interesting to learn about. It boggles my mind that someone could experience this. Although the plot felt a bit wooden and unbelievable, Genova does a brilliant job of explaining what must be a frustrating and confusing condition.
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I have Still Alice on my shelves and it sounds like I should read that one first but I think I’ll put this on my list too.
Still Alice was such a good but emotionally wrenching read. Make time for it!
What a crazy condition! I’ve never heard of such a thing. Sarah doesn’t sound like someone I’d really be interested in spending time with.
Isn’t the whole Left Neglect thing bizarre? Reading about that made the book bearable … because Sarah sure didn’t!
I think Genova hit a home run with Still Alice and it was a labor of love for her, considering her education and her grandmother’s affliction with Alzheimer’s. And then, when she realized she honestly could make a living as a writer, she embarked on this career – which is why Left Neglected felt like a plot construct formula, perhaps. That’s my take, anyway. I am fascinated by all these neurologically ‘whacky’ conditions, too.
I do think she is tremendously talented and will likely read everything she writes.
I think your take might be right. Still Alice felt so much better constructed. Maybe it was because she was writing from the heart. Even thought this didn’t work as well for me, I was still fascinated by the condition of Left Neglect itself.
Oh Lisa Genova! I could barely get through Still Alice because how can you read when your eyes are so weepy? If her second book is less emotional, I might stand a chance. I’ve held off from picking it up because I was afraid of that same heartbreaking feeling…glad to hear this is less intense, even if it is lacking that certain something.
I know! I could barely read the words at the end of Still Alice because of the tears. No tears in this one though.
I am going to look into her first book.
You should!! It is so touching and emotional and well done. Have tissues ready though!
I have never heard of Left Neglect, how interesting. This sounds like a good read, even if the main character is unlikable I’d probably still want to read about her condition and its effects on her life.
I do want to read Still Alice. Great review!
The condition of Left Neglect was so fascinating. I just can’t imagine living like that. It is worth reading just to learn more about it.
Hmmmm . . . I have this one on the shelf but just haven’t gotten around to it. I guess it can wait a little longer. Have a good weekend, Jenners!
Yeah … it isn’t one of the “must read now” kind of reads.
Jenners, you have me intrigued about Still Alice. Since there is a history of Alzheimer’s in my family, I think it would be a good book for me to read. Thank you!
I think it would be an educational read to get a view of this disease from the “inside” view. Still, so many people who have family members with this disease find the book too painful to read.
I’ve been busy so I haven’t been browsing my reader–thought I’d stop in and say hi.
Looks like you’ve been busy recovering from your vacation by reading one of those books you couldn’t get too while on your fabulous vacation..
Thanks for stopping in! I’ve managed to catch up on my reading a bit!
I base all of my reading material on your reviews just so you know….
Have you reviewed Fifty Shades of Grey yet???????? LOL
Hmmm…I sense you want me to read it so you can justify it! HA! I’ve heard it is really really really awful (like badly written) so I’m not sure if I’ll bother. Still, part of me wants to check out what all the hype is about!
I’m not a fan of books that center around an affliction but I’ve read a few that were really good. This one though… haven’t been tempted to read it at all.
The whole Left Neglect thing was so odd that I found myself interested in that aspect of it … especially since it isn’t something I could “catch” myself.
The main character is a bit of a stereotype, but I have known a few people like that, whose kids are just another item to check off their list. It definitely is a set-up so that the character can have an epiphany, but I didn’t mind it that much. For me the parts about the brain injury were more than enough to make up for any other plot weaknesses.
Gosh … I just can’t imagine treating kids like that. The whole part about Left Neglect was fascinating though and got me through the book. I just still can’t imagine it though.
i remember your post and reaction to still alice–i didn’t know the author had something new out. sarah’s situation sounds like something out of a horror movie–i didn’t even realize there is such a thing as left neglect. eek. i might skip this one and try out still alice…summer’s here and i’ve got plenty of time to read. yay!
Yay for summer and time to read! I tell you .. I’d rather have Left Neglect than Alzheimers.
I had very similar feelings on this book. I loved Still Alice and it was so emotional. I still like Genovas style and look forward to her future works.
Good review.
I do like how she makes these conditions so understandable and puts a human face on them. I wonder what she’ll tackle next.
Oh bummer. I was excited when I seen you had read this as Still Alice was gush worthy at our book club and oh yeah… the tears in that discussion… I have been looking forward to this one but underdeveloped characters bother me….
This just wasn’t as good as Still Alice but wasn’t a terrible read. It just suffered by comparison.
Brain injuries are so awful and so fascinating at the same time. My book group read a really good book about a brain injury: Where is the Mango Princess: A Journey Back from Brain Injury by Cathy Crimmins
I’ll have to look for that book … thanks. I do find brain injuries fascinating as well.
I haven’t read anything by this author yet, but if I do, I’ll start with Still Alice.
I think that is the stronger book of the two.
if you really can’t like the main character, well that is a big problem.
The book was tolerable because of learning about the weirdness of Left Neglect. I almost didn’t feel bad she had it.
Yea i could see how she could be kind of unlikeable. Oh I started and finished Attachments this weekend! Loved it! so glad I won it from you as otherwise who knows if I ever would have really read it and I am very glad I did
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed Attachments and were able to find time to read it!!
Still Alice is an all time favourite book of mine. I am in the minority as I loved Sarah’s character and thought she was very realistic which helped me loved Left Neglected also. Not as memorable as Still Alice but still an enjoyable read.
I love the style of writing Lisa gives us.
I do love how Genova explores these conditions and puts a human face on them. I think she is doing a great service for helping people understand these horrible conditions. I’m curious to see what she does next.
I haven’t read either of these book, while I do have Still Alice on my TBR pile. Alzheimer is a difficult subject and it seems we know so little about it, and it’s different for everyone. I’ve hesitate to read this but, I need to.Sometimes with a second book our expectations are exaggerated, and the author really needs to make her characters outstanding to meet our needs.
I’m sure if you are dealing with Alzheimer’s personally, Still Alice could be a really tough read since it is such a cruel and horrific disease.
Interesting and honest review. Sometimes “unlikeable” characters are actually “liked” by the author (but not by readers), and that’s why they have epiphanies. I am interested in reading Still Alice.
You make a good point. I just felt like the character was unlikable and not necessarily fully developed so she didn’t even feel real to me, which never helps me get invested.
I think just learning about the condition itself would be interesting enough to read the book. I’ve always loved that kind of stuff – the Oliver Sacks kind of info.
Funny you mention Oliver Sacks! I read one of his books and it dealt with this Left Neglect condition. I have to say that, despite my problems with this book, I liked Genova’s version better.
This is a book that I have been wanting to read for a long time, but I fear that I may be angered by the way that Sarah treats her children as well. I did just get this one on audio from the library, so I am going to try yo get to it in a timely manner, and see if I feel the way that you did. One thing your review confirms for me is that I need to read Still Alice, so I am off to see if I can find that one on audio right away. Very detailed an candid review. It was very interesting to read your analysis.
Be careful when you listen to Still Alice … you might have trouble driving due to tears! Genova is amazing at describing these conditions, which makes some of the other flaws more tolerable. If you read these, I’d be so curious to see what you think.
Your review basically sums up some of the reasons I didn’t fall in love with Still Alice – I thought Alice was a self-centered work-aholic too! After my average experience with Still Alice I’m not planning to read this one – especially since they seem to share the same problems.
Still Alice worked for me so much more. I guess Alice didn’t bother me as much since her kids were grown and out of the house. If that book got to you, this one will send you over the edge! : )
I, too, was not a fan of the first impression Alice in Still Alice but came around to make it one of the best reads that year. AND, like you, I wasn’t as impressed with Left Neglected.
I thought I left a comment a second ago but not sure what happened…
Ok, I was saying I’ve seen similar comparisons between this and Still Alice, but I’ve read only this one so i really liked it!
If you liked this one, then I bet you’ll “enjoy” Still Alice even more. You read them in a good order I think.
Not an author I’m familiar with. Left Neglected is certainly a book I’ll keep an eye out for but I’m afraid Still Alice is too close to home to make comfortable reading.
Anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s would have a difficult time reading Still Alice I’m sure. I was all emotional and I don’t have anyone facing this cruel disease in my life.
Because my family has been so impacted by this disease, I knew I just had to read it and
was so glad I did. Still Alice opened my eyes to questions that I wanted answers to.
Still Alice is probably one of the very best books I have ever read.
I imagine it would be so eye-opening to read this book to better understand family member suffering from it. I know a lot of people can’t bear to read it because of that but I’m glad it helped answer some of your questions. It really was a stunningly good book.
Still Alice was one of my best reads last year.
However, Left Neglected was a huge disappointment and I gave up
half way through.
Well, I didn’t dislike Left Neglected as much as you but it was definitely the weaker book I thought. Still, I plan to try her next one.
Underdeveloped and unlikable main characters are always such a tough sell. I do really want to read Still Alice, so I’m glad to hear you really enjoyed it. Gonna have to be in the right mood for a tearjerker though!
Definitely have your tissues handy if you read Still Alice. I was a blubbering mess.
I rarely like books with unlikeable main characters, and so appreciate being alerted to them!
Perhaps I shall have to put an “Unlikable Character” alert on my reviews from now on. : )
You do read the most interesting books! I’m finding that time is such a problem… (too much time blogging, not enough reading…)
Reading should always come first. That is why I have 25+ unwritten book reviews I should get working on!
I’d read iffy reviews about Left Neglected. I too loved Still Alice – maybe I connected with her age. The age similarity, coupled with my mother’s descent into Alzheimer’s made Still Alice a book I shall remember until I get Alzheimer’s myself!
Oh you … Only you could make a comment like that and get away with it.
Sounds interesting…but I’m still on the fence
If learning about these weird kind of conditions float your boat, then I’d read it. Otherwise I’d skip it.
I think I’ll start with Still Alice as well
I like the new look; I was playing around some today with the blog. I didn’t make any real permanent changes bc it’s pretty scary! I’d like my columns a little wider but again I’m nervous about losing things :/
I actually didn’t change my blog recently. It has been this way for at least a month!! HAHA! I goof around with my look all the time so I can imagine you thought it was different!
I really want to read something by this author but may start with Still Alice. Have you changed your look again?
Nope. I haven’t changed my look for at least a month. Can you believe it? : )
I haven’t read this one yet, but also loved Still Alice. Like you, I sometimes have trouble enjoying a story with unlikeable characters. Hope you had a nice weekend.
Not only was the main character unlikable, but she wasn’t fully developed either.
Our weekend has been lovely … except for the five hours without power where we were all getting a little cranky in the heat. Hope your long weekend was enjoyable!