Review: Inside the O'Briens: A Novel

Inside the O'Briens: A Novel by Lisa Genova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Huntington’s disease... I have to pause here because I have to admit that I knew nothing about this disease. I like to read books that challenge me to know more about something. Good old Google came to the rescue and now understand better what this disease is and how those affected by it, live with it.

Lisa Genova wrote a beautiful story of courage and perseverance in face of having Huntington’s disease. The book starts with Joe, a Boston Policy Officer, who is diagnosed with Huntington’s disease and evolves to include the stories of his four children and how they face this deadly neurodegenerative genetic disorder they might have inherited from their dad or not. Children of Huntington's disease patients have 50% chance chance of inheriting the disease. The book deals with raw emotions and the fear that accompany such diagnosis. It also deals with the determination of a family to live and to fight. The book is beautifully written and very touching. The end leaves you hanging, but it does not matter really… it allows you to choose how you want it to end.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson

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