Inside the O'Briens

by Lisa Genova

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

Fond Of

The most important aspect of Inside the O'Briens is that it brings awareness to Huntington's Disease. Being epileptic, I understand how important it is to "get the word out there" and admire the novel for that.

Lisa Genova creates an emotional roller-coaster and has imagined characters that touch with intensity.

Inside the O'Briens is very heartbreaking, showing the horrible genetic component of Huntington's. Although it did so maturely, without restraint and assembled a pounding in your chest each time one of Joe O'Brien's children read their test results.

Not Fond Of

Joe and Rosie's reaction to their son Patrick's child out of wedlock bothered me as they apparently decided to write the baby off. Considering they were all about family it seemed unreasonable to me.

Final Thoughts

It is a heavy book and one must be in the mood for it. At the end of Inside the O'Briens the youngest daughter Katie decides to be tested after two of her siblings test positive, but ends the novel when the envelope is being opened, a cut to commercial moment. Although despite my desire to know her genes it leaves the reader with the message of living each day to its fullest as you never know what tomorrow will bring.