Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Looking through the new books at the library in search of a good title, I came across Left Neglected. A smaller book in size than contemporary works of fiction, its' cover shows an apple with leaves on it, looking neglected.

Sarah Nickerson is a career-drive wife and mother of three. She does it all remarkably well with the help of her husband and a nanny. We are privy to her high-pressure job as she taps away at her laptop and texts on her phone. Her husband Bob has some stress of his own as hangs onto his job by a thread while searching for something new.

On a rainy day, a tragedy occurs, sending Sarah into a totally new environment where she must learn to re-think all that is familiar to her. He mother enters the picture after a long absence and Sarah's thoughts about rekindling their relationship change as well.

This story deals with an unfamiliar topic to me--Left neglect. This is a condition where a person cannot see or recognize the left side of the body. It happens to people suffering from strokes and traumatic brain injury, among other conditions. The author, whose background includes a doctorate in neuroscience, presents the intricacies of the phenomenon in an informative manner within the context of a story.

A book that is both entertaining and educational, Left Neglected, is one you will not put down quickly.

Ladybookbug!