This book was painful to read... Ruby was not likeable. Liz was not likeable. Mark wasn't even really likeable. And it would have been nice to understand at the beginning how "challenged" Grace really was. Ruby treats her like she's incapable of anything, spies on her, lies to her, basically brainwashes her, and acts like she has no feelings (because she's "not all there"?)... Liz is all like "poor me, where's my car bomb?" There's this big family secret that caused this giant rift in the family and when it is FINALLY (it was so painful getting there) revealed it isn't even that exciting or scandalous or anything other than sad. Rudy's Alzheimer's is so annoying (I'm openly saying I have no direct experience with this disease) one second she can't remember something simple and the next she second she is doing something that requires a lot of mental calculations. I get that it can affect certain parts of memory but this book just didn't feel consistent to me. It bothered me that she wrote herself notes calling herself a "stupid cow" but then went on to rant about how she wasn't depressed... Negative self talk is a classic sign of depression. And the way Alzheimer's is constantly being referred to as Big Al really really bugged me. "1 point for Big Al, 2 points for me!" Argh. I wanted to chuck the book every 10 seconds because of this. I don't even know why I finished it. I didn't care about the characters... I didn't care about any of it. Husband said "life's to short to read crappy books. Put it down." But I didn't, I should have listened. Interesting perspective on Alzheimer's and how 55 year old Ruby chooses to deal with it. The family dynamics are complicated and sometimes difficult and sad to follow. The characters were all believable, especially for their chapters in their own voices. Parts were a little slow going, with a little too much detail and minutiae in my opinion, but others may enjoy the slower pace. Other reviews discuss the sisters' relationship and the death of Grace's baby. Totally different view than the book "Still Alice", that also addresses Alzheimer's. Take away for me was "Whether I'd rather live with the guilt of letting her choose, than the guilt of deciding for her."
What do You think about Island Girl (2010)?
If you liked "Still Alice", you will love this one, but more so!
—Nick
Hoping to make a dent on the flight home from SF
—DarkxSummmer
