If you are in the mood for a good cry or are curious about how ALS develops, this is the book for you. Genova is a wonderful author and a neuroscientist, so she does know her stuff. This novel is heart-wrenching, though, the story of two pianists, one who gave up her potential and the other who gained fame and fortune while losing his family.
Richard Evans is a world-renowned concert pianist, a man who has sacrificed his marriage and his daughter in pursuit of his art. His ex-wife. Karina, an even more talented pianist, gave up her dreams of playing Jazz when they moved to Boston for his job and their daughter was born. When Richard, now world famous, starts experiencing numbness in his left hand, he assumes that it is due to tendinitis, a common condition among pianists. When he is diagnosed with ALS he hopes that it is a mistake or that he will defy the odds and his disease will stop progressing.
This is the story of two people whose inability to communicate and whose dishonesty with each other have ruined what could have been a brilliant partnership, personally and professionally. When Richard is left with nothing and no one as his disease progresses, Karina makes the decision to step in and help. She obviously dislikes Richard, but has a strong sense of duty and some regret for what they have made of their lives and their marriage.
Genova's step-by-step descriptions of the progress of ALS are frightening and depressing. It is a bit too easy for the reader to imagine themselves experiencing this progression and it is heart-wrenching to watch Richard's loss of everything that is important to him, bit by bit. I only gave this novel 4 stars on Goodreads because it was too sad and the main characters were, quite frankly, both a bit TOO flawed and unlikable. I would definitely recommend it, but not if you are already sad!
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