Analysis of Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Analysis of Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Brittani Lewis

University of Missouri-Columbia

Analysis of Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Human Development and Family Studies 3440 is a class about the ends and outs of adulthood and aging. Many aspects of aging are highlighted throughout this course; however, towards the end of the course, we read a book that seemed to revolve solely around Alzheimer’s disease. Why would a class so focused around the complete picture of aging focus so narrowly on a book based on such a small part of aging? The book in question is titled Still Alice and was written by neuroscientist Lisa Genova. At first glance, this book seems to be a story of one women’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s about so much more than that. This book gives the contents of Human Development and Family Studies 3440 a name and a face. Lisa Genova writes about the effects Alzheimer’s disease has on a modern day woman, her family, and her overall adulthood and aging process.

Alice Howland, the main character of the book Still Alice, is a Harvard University professor and researcher. She travels the country to attend seminars, conferences, and to guest lecture in the field of cognitive psychology and linguistics. Alice has three adult children and a husband whom also excels in academia. Being only 50, Alice had her whole life ahead of her, until she suddenly started forgetting things. A small concern turned into a big worry when Alice became lost and confused just a few blocks from her home. A few doctor’s appointments and seemingly mundane testing revealed that Alice Howland, Harvard University professor and researcher, had early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This diagnoses nearly shattered her world. Not only would her mind begin to change, her entire adulthood and aging process was now set on a different trajectory. Now that Alice had Alzheimer’s, social roles would quickly change, early retirement would be inevitable, care giving would become a...