Inside the O'Briens

You may be familiar with the author from her previous book that was recently adapted to movie, Still Alice, starring Julianne Moore. When given the opportunity to read her newest novel Inside the O'Briens for my honest review, I immediately downloaded the galley. It took me a minute to sit down and really indulge in its contents. I have to be in the mood for what I consider heavy novels like this. When I finally settled comfortably in my Cocoa Comfy reading chair, I started reading about the O'Brien family that was faced with handling a serious diagnosis: Huntington's disease.

Joe O'Brien is a forty-something Boston cop. His sharp mind and instinct have seen him through decades of policing Boston streets and raising four children with wife Rosie. It started with simply dropping a glass water pitcher. It slipped out of his hands. Then he messing up during a drill formation. That bad knee of his wouldn't let him be great. His speech slurs. Unbeknownst to him, his temper has changed over the past few years. He's been writing up crime reports for years, but now all of a sudden he has difficulty processing the simplest of reports. And where did he mislay his darn police gun? It must be stress, right?

Joe's police partner, wife and children notice his uncharacteristic errors and behavior. Upon Rosie's persistence, Joe agrees to see a doctor. Unfortunately, after being examined, he is diagnosed with Huntington's disease. The O'Briens lives change forever after Joe's diagnosis and the realization that each of his four adult children have a fifty percent chance of inheriting Huntington's disease is all too real.

Lisa Genova is one of the very few authors that write about the effects of real conditions almost flawlessly. Inside the O'Briens is a story of family crisis, health and resilience. Please do add to your TBR piles, bookhearts.

DISCLAIMER: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Title: Inside the O'Briens
Author: Lisa Genova
Published: April 2015
Pages: 352
Edition: Galley
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥