“Unsparing in her depiction of the disease’s harrowing effects, neuroscientist Genova also celebrates humanity.” –People “Sometimes it’s easier to tell truth in fiction…And she tells it with heart and hope.” –NPR “Her juxtaposition of scientific detail with compassionate, heartfelt storytelling is unparalleled.” –Bookreporter “Every Note Played will grip and gut you.” –The Boston Globe … —Bookreporter
“Every Note Played will grip and gut you.” —The Boston Globe
From neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice comes a powerful exploration of regret, forgiveness, freedom, and what it means to be alive.
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. Every finger of his hands was a finely calibrated instrument, dancing across the keys and striking each note with exacting precision. 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.
Poignant and powerful, Every Note Played is a masterful exploration of redemption and what it means to find peace inside of forgiveness.
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As with all of Lisa Genova’s books -this is tragic and wonderful for musicians.
She is an awesome writer.
I’m a Nurse but found this book to be so informative while drawing me into the characters. Lisa Genova’s books are Outstanding, All Night Reading, novels/documentaries. So glad I stumbled upon her books a few years ago. Now I sit waiting for her next one!
Lisa Genova’s novel Every Note Played is her homage to Richard Glatzer, director of the movie Still Alice which was based on Genova’s book. Glatzer had ALS and directed the movie by typing on an iPad with one finger. He died shortly after Julianne Moore received an Academy Award for her role in the movie.
The novel offers an unflinching and detailed recreation of how ALS destroys a man’s ability to voluntarily move his muscles. And it shows the impact of ALS on family members, the financial burden, and the gut-wrenching choices patients are faced with.
Concert pianist Richard’s career is stopped when symptoms of ALS affect his performance. He is still in the early stages when his ex-wife Karina learns of his situation and is compelled to visit him.
When Karina realizes there is no one to care for Richard, she invites him back into their family home. While she takes on more of his care, both she and Richard grapple with their past history and their personal culpability in the demise of their marriage. Richard must also make amends with his estranged daughter, father, and brothers.
At times the book feels ‘teachy’ as Genova is a neuroscientist and does want to educate readers. But she does a wonderful job of creating characters that readers can connect to and care about.
ALS is a disease that gives me the chills. As a teenager, I heard about a woman in a wheelchair whose husband set her in front of a television when he left for work. He did not know if she was sentient. To be imprisoned in one’s body and unable to communicate or respond to pain or bodily needs is a nightmare come true.
And yet Genova manages to create a hopeful and whole acceptance for her characters. We are not left in despair. We are left in awe of the human spirit.
I received a free book from the publisher through GoodReads in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Impulsively selected. Great story. Takes a tack a very non-musical reader can enjoy.
Nicely drawn characters. Drew me in early. Kept me to the last page. A little different premise but entertaining.
Richard is a gifted pianist, estranged from his daughter Grace after the break up of his marriage to Karina. “Every Note Played” follows Richard as he succumbs to Motor Neuron Disease, and his symptoms progress…
Karina reluctantly becomes his carer, and she, Richard and Grace gradually find a new understanding and heal the past.
I felt compelled to read “Every Note Played” as MND took a close relative. The book moved me to tears, and left me with a powerful impression of the journey of so many…
Although this was my first Lisa Genova read, it will not be my last.
I loved the book, really makes you think about relationships!
Lisa Genova is an excellent writer. Her research is incredible as she explains the disease. This book is gut wrenching but wonderful at the same time. Her understanding of human behavior along with her desire to teach the public about various diseases is outstanding.
I have read STILL ALICE and LEFT NEGLECTED by Genova. Loved them. This book did not hold my interest…maybe because I had no empathy for either main character.
“This disease is as politically correct as they get. It has no bigotries, allergies or fetishes. ALS is an equal opportunity killer.” In Every Note Played, we read about Richard’s battle against ALS. I was pulled in very quickly as I read more about this horrifying disease. Lisa Genova gives just enough scientific detail for the average person to understand how ALS works and it’s debilitating, terminal effects on the human body. I have read all of Lisa Genova’s books and loved each one. Every Note Played is not action packed but it is most definitely a page turner!
Very sad, but was given a humane ending to his end of life.
As always reading Genova this book informed me about another horrible neurological disease. This disease has always terrified me because of its dehumanizing attack. For me the hero in this book was the ex-wife who showed how much compassion a person is capable.
This book helped me understand the reality of this horrible disease, ALS. The characters were intriguing. The relationship between them made for an interesting read.
Every Note Played is a heartwrenching novel by neurologist Lisa Genova, about a concert pianist who is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the baseball star whose diagnosis of ALS brought it to the attention of the public. Genova does a beautiful job of walking us through each stage of ALS, and showing the very raw, human emotions, thoughts and behavior of not only the patient, but also his family. She provides plenty of everyday illustrations of the gradual losses of the ability to do things that most of us take for granted, such as scratching our own heads, firing off an e-mail with normally-working fingers – or using the bathroom by ourselves. She paints a vivid portrait of the disease that strips away the patient’s normal life, as well as his dignity. If you read this, you will walk away with a deeper appreciation of a healthy body, as well as sensitivy to those who are deprived of that. My only disappointment in this book was that the author apparently felt the need to bring politics into it, by claiming that classical piano music is the music of white privilege (eyes rolling,) which isn’t even true. For example, do the names Mitsuko Uchida and Unsuk Chin ring a bell? What a shame to bring gratiuitous politics into such an otherwise marvelous book that can enrich so many lives.
I loved everything about this book. I was wary of it at first but it grew on me. After I finished it, I felt like a different person. Highly recommend!
Beautiful writing, a heart wrenching situation, a great story.
I’ve enjoyed all her books but her themes aren’t for those searching for a light read. This story is more than just about ALS, it’s about flawed everyday people who have regrets, have lied and been unfaithful, were even cruel at times; it’s about obligations, love, forgiveness, and learning to live with all the mistakes we make.
If you like a story that grabs you and will a times make you uncomfortable, if you love real characters trying to surmount unbelievable life crisis, then she is the author for you. I admit, I didn’t know much about ALS but Ms. Genova definitely does her research and includes enough details to make the fiction credible without it becoming too sided on the disease. In the end, this is a well-crafted story that kept me turning the pages.
I love this author. She really gets into the mind and body of a person with a terrible disease.
What a touching story, one of love and compassion but also of hurt and sorrow. To think about losing your ability to live because of a devastating disease is heart wrenching, but to know you had a life taken by a disease before you fully understood the reality is so much more hurtful than can be imagined. Lisa Genova is a brave author to take on the task of writing a story about the devastation of ALS but she did so brilliantly. The family created through this story can be related to many of today’s family – one who feels like they are a failure to their parent; one who is able to relate to their child; one who allow their partner to choose their destiny and become resentful. This is not just a story of living the last days with a terrible disease but a story that makes you find the truth within yourself to forgive and understand life take a many paths and you doesn’t always get to know what will happen.
I never knew much about ALS. While this may be fiction, it gave me insight as to the heartships of this disease. The caretaker & family suffer as well.
I loved this book. it was so realistic. sad and inspirational at the same time.
This is a book that will stay with you for a while after reading it. It makes you think about humanity and how far would you go to care for someone.