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An accomplished concert pianist, Richard received standing ovations from audiences all over the world in awe of his rare combination of emotional resonance and flawless technique. That was eight months ago.Richard now has ALS, and his entire right arm is paralyzed. His fingers are impotent, still, devoid of possibility. The loss of his hand feels like a death, a loss of true love, a divorce—his divorce.He knows his left arm will go next. Three years ago, Karina removed their framed wedding picture from the living room wall and hung a mirror there instead. But she still hasn’t moved on. Karina is paralyzed by excuses and fear, stuck in an unfulfilling life as a piano teacher, afraid to pursue the path she abandoned as a young woman, blaming Richard and their failed marriage for all of it.When Richard becomes increasingly paralyzed and is no longer able to live on his own, Karina becomes his reluctant caretaker. As Richard’s muscles, voice, and breath fade, both he and Karina try to reconcile their past before it’s too late.
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0If you are looking for a tear-jerker to add to your book stack this month, then be sure to add Genova's latest novel, Every Note Played.
I have read everything that Genova has written and this has been my favorite of all her incredible books. This story explores the disease ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and the swift decline that occurs when someone is faced with this illness.
Richard is a world-renowned pianist that has chosen to make playing music the focus of his life, even over his family. Divorced and estranged from his daughter, he bounces from one relationship to the next. When he begins having difficulties playing piano, particularly with his right hand, he sees a doctor and is faced with the devastating news that he has ALS and will soon see paralysis throughout the rest of his body.
Unable to afford the care that he needs, he must ask his ex-wife to help care for him, someone he had cast aside and cheated on during their marriage. This dynamic is quite toxic as Richard and Karina must learn to live together again and face the horrific and heartbreaking decline of Richard's health.
Richard is an unlikable character from beginning to end and I do think that this makes Karina's sacrifice even greater because he is so ungrateful. Some readers may struggle with a connection to him, but you definitely won't struggle to sympathize as you see the gravity of this illness and how quickly it takes over the body.
I cry about once a year over a book, thanks to a hardened soul and reading so much.
This book WRECKED ME.
I was crying reading it and then two days later I was still crying about it. It moved me emotionally, in ways that books rarely do.
Once I came to the end and saw all of the people that Genova lovingly mentions that shared their journey with ALS with her, you see how much thought and research went into this project. Genova's compassion in telling this story is, truly, a gift.
Be sure to add this one to the top of your book stack this month!
0There were tears and I felt relieved to be done reading it, but not in a bad way.. I guess.
This was my first time reading a book by the author and I will for sure be going to grab more. This book was not hard to read but it was hard to imagine that these are the feelings that someone who has ALS goes through on a daily basis as well as their care givers. The author did a lot of research and it seems pretty realistic. I felt sad and angry right along with the characters.
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