Left Neglected

Lisa Genova's new book "Left Neglected," about a multitasking superwoman and guilt-ridden mother, who was transformed in an unguarded instant into a `Left Neglect patient,' is, in my opinion, even better than "Still Alice." I know a lot about hemineglect; I did my PhD on it way back in the early 1980s when only a handful of researchers were studying it and publishing articles about it, and since then have published and written about it often, including cases in my books, and have supervised students in the area. (Today it is a very "popular" neuropsychological disorder to research.) So I was looking forward to reading a novel written in the "1st person" where the protagonist shares her experiences about living with left neglect. I was prepared for a few instances of "poetic license" where the author doesn't get the facts right either because she doesn't know enough about the disorder or for literary purposes, and was delighted to discover that this wasn't the case in this book. Lisa Genova has done her research on the disorder, including the research methods used to study neglect, and how it is rehabilitated. Certainly, her protagonist, Sarah Nickerson, was very lucky in that her intellect was not impaired- not always the case of course in a patient with such severe and persisting neglect - but I have assessed patients like this. And of course her intact intelligence and memory was what allowed Sarah to write so lucidly about her experiences. For example, she mused that being asked to describe anything on her left felt like "trying to describe something on the back of my own head." Lisa Genova's skilful and sensitive portrayal of Sarah's experience of neglect -- her unawareness and unconcern that there is anything much wrong with her, the childish rehabilitation tasks she must do day after day, the disappearance of her children if they move into her left space - expands this heart-warming family story about finding a balance into an engrossing case study on left neglect. While this is first and foremost a good story that will make you chuckle, even as it makes you think, if you happen to be a health professional or student and you know what neglect is, but you don't know how it feels, add this to your essential reading list!

In the spirit of Oliver Sacks, Genova takes the neurological problem and lets the reader see the person. Extraordinary in that it is well written and technically accurate. Most people will never meet someone with an agnosia, but that's no reason not to read a story of adversity and endurance.

The information about the syndrome of left neglect was very interesting. The main character was not particularly likeable, but that might have been the point. The demise of the mother seemed a bit abrupt and there was really no end to the story.

Lisa Genova personalizes disease and syndromes while taking us on a insider's tour of Boston. Her characters are convincingly human, imperfect and perfect at the same time. I love her stories and hope she writes many more!

Very interesting book for those who are interested in how the brain works and how complex, how puzzling it can be. It take us through a journey in the world of brain injury from the injured perspective and is successful on showing how fascinating our brain is. It is a easy reading, fiction book, though, for those who dont want to go through scientific literature and still learn actual facts.

I was skeptical at first. Only because
"Still Alice" was an amazing and insightful
book and very well written. Although the illness in "Left Neglected" is uncommon, Genova manages to bring the reader into the mind of the patient and shows us the journey of dealing with illness and old monumental mental wounds. A solid story.

Lisa Genova is an excellent writer able to capture many of the struggles faced by someone with left neglect. She does so with the ability to draw one in, and keep you involved. It is a must read for every neuropsychology student and family members of those afflicted. Just a most excellent book! Deeply enjoyed.

After reading "Still Alice" , recommended by a friend, I looked for all titles by this author. This is an excellent story, informative, but more important, it is uplifting. It is about the effects of a severe brain injury and how one woman overcomes the challenges involved. It makes a person give thought to life's true priorities.

The author does an excellent job of drawing you into the character's thoughts and emotions, which run the gamut of believable confidence to scared withdrawal. The story moves along at a very readable pace, while educating the reader on more than one level. It is a story of how we survive and grow when life throws us an overwhelming curve ball. The character has to step back from her fast paced life and evaluate where she wants the future to take her and her family.
We learn about a little known brain injury and its sometimes amusing and frequently frustrating side effects.

I'm halfway through Left Neglected and find it very interesting and sad. It reminds me of the difficulty we daughters experienced after my father had a stroke. I cannot imagine how difficult it is for someone to have "left neglected". We don't appreciate good health until it is taken from us or a loved one. It effects all family members.

Just finished the book. Very informative about "Left Neglect".

Had to read this book for my neuroscience class and I thought it was amazing. It was one of the few book assignments that didn't get ruined by my teacher's/professors. The story of Sarah's affliction was gripping up to the very end. At the beginning I couldn't find her likable at all, but as the story progressed I became to root for her to get better! Beautifully crafted, I thought that Lisa Genova told an excellent story of how Sarah's journey to learn more about herself and how to live with her condition in hopes to get better.

This is a fascinating and very well written story about a little known traumatic brain injury. It is almost impossible to understand what losing an entire hemisphere of your cognizant awareness must be like, yet this remarkable story enables us to understand Sarah's experience. I could relate to the crazy busy juggling act of her pre tbi life from the very first page and wondered how I would cope with such a devastating change to my 'normal life'. If you are interested in people and what can change our experience of the world, I recommend this book.

The concept of this book is something the average person does not think about. It's hard to fathom a world where the brain simply erases the left side of everything. As a result of a brain injury, this is the tragedy that befalls Sarah in this story. As she did in "Still Alice", Lisa Genova, once again puts you inside the mind of Sarah allowing you to experience the full emotional impact of coping and learning to live with this condition. What I found especially endearing about this book, was the author's ability to have me tearing up one minute and laughing out loud the next, especially given the seriousness of the topic- amazing writing style and timing. Aside from dealing with the brain injury, the story is thought provoking and engaging on other levels. It will cause you to re-evaluate the pros and cons of an excessively busy life style and appreciate your family. It's also a book about relationships, demonstrating the healing power of friendship and forgiveness. In short, not quite as original as "Still Alice", but equally as poignant. A heartwarming story about hope and persevering through darkness to see light again for those who enjoy good woman's fiction or those who know someone dealing with a brain injury. Highly recommend
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Great story about a very busy woman and her husband and children after a life-changing accident leaves her with strange brain injury. left neglect is rare but real brain damage that leaves everything on the left simply gone! Very interesting and wonderfully told story of new life and new beginnings. Really, really good book!

Learned so much about head injuries and about the human spirit. Extremely well written and enjoyed reading it and feeling it through the eyes of the person who not only has to deal with a severe injury but learn to live with it in a new way. It has a lot of humor in it along with the pain and the joy of new discoveries. Totally recommend this book.

Fantastic read. I got a brain injury several years ago, that has altered the way I live my life. The author very much captured the struggle of the process of grief and coming to acceptance of a new way of living...and eventually the victory of moving forward. Good read.

Traumatic brain injuries are so complex and varied, but this one is a mystery. Genova captured the feeling of not being aware of the left so well; I could feel the confusion, tension and torment it must have caused. Clearly well researched. I've never felt the need for happy ending books. This one leaves you wanting more progress for her, but knowing it isn't a given despite how hard she tries or wants it. Another terrific book by Lisa Genova.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Love Anthony". I loved every chapter, especially the ending. Well written, development of the characters was well thought out and the sceneries very well described. I have already ready the first 3, including, "Love Anthony" and now I am on the 4th book by Lisa Genova, "The O'Briens. I love this author and how well she does research for each of her books. I will read anything that she writes.

LIsa Genova is a superb writer. I have enjoyed all three of her novels; each recounting a different type of affliction. In this one, her protagonist's inabliity to sense her left side comes to life for the reader as she endeavors to conquer her limitations.

I have read "Love Anthony" and "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova and I love "Left Neglected" . Her books are so full of information regarding subjects we don't know or hear much about, even though the characters are fictional you feel as if Lisa is telling you about a real persons plight. Will be on the lookout for her next book.

I read this book after reading STILL ALICE, also by Lisa Genova. I know I appreciated the author's writing style, and I wanted more. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed this book just as much as STILL ALICE. There is a strong parallel between the two stories, but in this case, the affliction was brain trauma (from an auto accident) which damaged the right side of protagonist Sara Nickerson's brain. The injury drastically alters her perceptions of the left side - of her body and everything else. The condition is referred to as Left Neglect.

I think I got an idea of Left Neglect when Sarah tells a friend to name everything in a room. Then she asks what would his reaction be if he was told that he only named HALF the items in the room, those on the right side only. It is a very strange phenomenon. It is somewhat similar to the results of a stroke, perhaps. But it really must be so disturbing to live through, and Lisa Genova brings it all home.

Sarah is a woman at the top of her game professionally, when the auto accident derails her life. Then she must learn to cope, when she was used to excelling before.

Ms. Genova paints a realistic picture. It must have been a challenge to write this book as a first person narrative - when the person involved is unaware of the left side of her own body (and the rest of the world. basically).

When I read STILL ALICE I learned so much about early onset Alzheimer's disease. In this book, I learned about a lesser known - but still devastating - condition. Both stories were heart rendering. I appreciate the author's skill, and I truly enjoyed both books. Now, I am awaiting her latest to be released.

Captivates from the first page. A fascinating read that brings out the realities of a little known, and not fully understood, effect of brain trauma. Written in an easily understood style, this novel promotes a thought-provoking and deep gut reaction.

Thus book held my interest throughout. It gave a very realistic portrayal of a successful and driven woman who suddenly finds herself with a disability. I would have preferred a story where she did not improve significantly.

The ADHD storyline seemed out of place, as well as the extra medication the mother had in her pillbox she reveals taking antidepressants.

What a great novel: believable characters; a disability that informs the reader; and beautifully written prose! Sarah seems so real as she relates her journey to acceptance that I wish I could meet her and share a bottle of wine with her. I highly recommend this novel, and I wish the author would write a sequel to let readers know what happens to Sarah and her family.

Highly recommended for any reader who appreciates a detailed account of a character not only courageous in the attempt to restore balance in her life and that of her family after a traumatic brain injury but also a glowing testament of a writer who richly articulates the pain and the humor as Sarah struggles to change what she can and accept what she cannot.

This book is such an interesting read. The author is a knowledgable about the brain (I believe I read that she is a neuroscientist) and interviewed individuals with "neglect" before writing the book so the experiences her character goes through are things that real people with this disorder have to deal with. It was fascinating and I finished the book in 2 days. Hard to put down!

I thought it was an excellent read, based on science yet so interesting as a young dynamic couple's fast way of life is stopped by an accident that has permanent effects and how they use these for the good of the whole family.
I found it hard to put the book down.

This book was both compelling fiction and educational. It made me so much more aware of a condition that could result from brain injury. It also made me appreciate how important special programs for the handicapped are and the benefits that can be gained.

I found this book very informative about a condition completely new to me - and written in an entertaining way. I enjoyed Sarah's sense of humor; appreciated her husband's support; and was interested in learning about the organizations and facilities available to help a person with Left Neglect and other neurological conditions.

It must be difficult to surpass the brilliance of a first novel as Lisa Genova, author of Just Alice, attempted with Left Neglected. She almost made it, but not quite. The subject was fascinating, a fairly unknown disability and how it affects the family. But the humanism, tear-jerking prose, and heart wrenching realism were not there for this novel. Almost, but not quite. Still, it was worth reading and held my interest.

Once again Lisa Genova has brought a little known subject to life in a powerful, emotional way. I had never heard of this brain injury condition and was riveted by the way Ms. Genova wrote this story. I have read all of her books and look forward to the next one.

A sad but very inspiring journey of a young family hit by tragedy. It is a story of what no family wants to go through but how to face it head on and conquer the challenge Great plot and the characters lived for me. Another great book by Lisa Genova.

Having read another of the author's books, I expected to learn and still have a good read. As the Mom of a paraplegic, I found this honest and even at times funny...been in similar situations. Thanks, Lisa Genova. I am glad your Aunt Arlene recommended Still Alice. Both are great books.

A workaholic business woman/mother gets in a car accident while on her cell phone and suffers injury to her brain. During her long recovery as she suffers from "left neglect" where she can't see of feel things on her left, her life undergoes major changes. While this didn't have the WOW impact that Genova's first novel Still Alice had on me, it was a good read.

It was a good book from an interesting perspective. However I work in a similar field therefore it was not entertaining to me. I felt every emotion because I have seen them experienced by my patients.

Beautifully written. In the first person, the author takes the reader right. Into the mind of the principal character. I could relate to her in every way. Would only hope to have her strength faced with these challenges. The bonus here is the opportunity to witness this lovely marriage.

This story was different. I felt like the character was only intent on what she needed to do in her life for herself and ignored her husband or didn't consider him in her life. I sort of admired what she was able to do after her injury but I felt that she could have tried harder to adjust to her situation.

I heard Lisa Genova interviewed on NPR about this book, and it sounded interesting so I ordered it. I really enjoyed the story and learning about the Left Neglect condition. The book really held my interest, and I even cried at the end (this is not a spoiler; I cry at both happy and sad endings) which I did not expect. A good solid story.