Love Anthony
by Lisa Genova
Two women, each cast adrift by unforseen events in their lives, meet by accident on a Nantucket beach and are drawn into a friendship.
Olivia is a young mother whose eight-year-old severely autistic son has recently died. Her marriage badly frayed by years of stress, she comes to the island in a trial separation to try and make sense of
the tragedy of her Anthony’s short life.
Beth, a stay-at-home mother of three, is also recently separated after discovering her husband’s long-term infidelity. In an attempt to recapture a sense of her pre-married life, she rekindles her passion for writing, determined to find her own voice again. But surprisingly, as she does so, Beth also find herself channeling the voice of an unknown boy, exuberant in his perceptions of the world around him if autistic in his expression—a voice she can share with Olivia—(is it Anthony?)—that brings comfort and meaning to them both.
Olivia is a young mother whose eight-year-old severely autistic son has recently died. Her marriage badly frayed by years of stress, she comes to the island in a trial separation to try and make sense of
the tragedy of her Anthony’s short life.Beth, a stay-at-home mother of three, is also recently separated after discovering her husband’s long-term infidelity. In an attempt to recapture a sense of her pre-married life, she rekindles her passion for writing, determined to find her own voice again. But surprisingly, as she does so, Beth also find herself channeling the voice of an unknown boy, exuberant in his perceptions of the world around him if autistic in his expression—a voice she can share with Olivia—(is it Anthony?)—that brings comfort and meaning to them both.
~ Goodreads
My review.............4.5 stars
This was pretty close to perfection. Lisa Genova certainly has a way with words that just catches you up into the story and doesn't let you go until the last page. I was captivated by the storylines of both women, and the descriptions given of the various places make you feel like you are actually there. I laughed so hard over "the rules" for the locals during summer on Nantucket, since I also have a house in a summer tourist area. This book made me laugh, cry, empathize, contemplate, and oh yes......want to visit Nantucket during the tulip festival and have a vase full of white rocks. The only issues I had with the book (without giving anything away) was the channeling (which is a bit too out there for me), and the end decision that Beth makes (not a good choice in my opinion).
I listened to this book on audio. The narrator was Debra Messing (sniff sniff.....made me nostalgic for Will & Grace). I thought she did a fabulous job, she has a soothing quality to her voice that lent itself well for this audio.
Definitely on my list for fans of women's fiction, and although it is fiction, a great book covering the subject of autism.
I loved this book. I actually have read all the books Lisa Genova has written except for her most recent published book "Inside the O'Briens" which I haven't bought yet :/ She has a way of explaining things and keeps the reader engaged.
I have purchased Inside the OBriens but have not had a chance to read it yet. I need to get to it soon, I've heard great things about it.