Written By: Raghavi S.
Lisa Genova, author of best-selling books Left Neglected and Still Alice, brings to us another heartfelt story in her latest book, Love Anthony. It’s the story of an accidental encounter of two women that gives a grieving mother the ability to understand the thoughts of her 8 year-old autistic son and make sense of his short life.
Olivia Donatelli’s plan for a “normal” life is changed when her son, Anthony is diagnosed with autism at age three. In the beginning, she felt totally alienated, and unable to understanding the world from his perspective, he didn’t talk, he didn’t like to be touched, and he hardly every looked at her. But slowly, Olivia begins to understand, and see Anthony, but just as Olivia was starting to see that Anthony could both be happy and have autism, Anthony dies. The story is then told in reverse order, with Olivia looking back, and tells the story of a powerful new encounter that helps her make sense of Anthony’s life.
Like Genova’s previous two books, Love Anthony is written beautifully, and breathtakingly.
For those of you who like medical/neurological inspired fiction, Love Anthony is a great pick. In her previous novels, she writes about Alzheimer’s and Hemispatial Neglect. Lisa Genova, a neurologist by training, provides the technical knowledge to write up about autism, but does so in a way in which it is raw and full of human emotion.
Love Antony is a beautiful book. It’s a heart-breaking story about motherhood, autism, and love. A recommended read!
Rating: 4/5 Stars
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