Still Alice Summary

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

Take it one question at a time

1. Question 1

   At the beginning of the novel, what is Alice Howland's profession?

   1. A renowned neuroscientist at MIT
   2. A celebrated Harvard professor of cognitive psychology
   3. A successful author and lecturer
   4. A practicing clinical psychologist
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   B. A celebrated Harvard professor of cognitive psychology Alice Howland is introduced as a highly accomplished Harvard professor of cognitive psychology, a detail that makes her diagnosis of Alzheimer's particularly poignant as her identity is so tied to her intellect.

2. Question 2

   What was the initial symptom that made Alice concerned about her memory?

   1. Forgetting family members' names
   2. Getting lost in familiar places while jogging
   3. Struggling to remember her lecture material
   4. Misplacing her car keys repeatedly
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   B. Getting lost in familiar places while jogging Alice first notices her memory problems when she gets disoriented and lost during her regular jogging route around Harvard University, a place she knew intimately.

3. Question 3

   What type of Alzheimer's disease is Alice diagnosed with?

   1. Late-onset Alzheimer's
   2. Vascular dementia
   3. Early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD)
   4. Lewy body dementia
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   C. Early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) Alice is diagnosed with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), which is a rare, inherited form of Alzheimer's that strikes people younger than age 65.

4. Question 4

   Which of Alice's children is most resistant to getting tested for the genetic marker for early-onset Alzheimer's?

   1. Anna
   2. Tom
   3. Lydia
   4. All of them are equally resistant
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   C. Lydia Lydia, the youngest child and an aspiring actress, is the most resistant to getting tested, preferring to live her life without the knowledge of a potential future diagnosis.

5. Question 5

   What coping mechanism does Alice try to implement to help her remember critical information as her disease progresses?

   1. She relies heavily on her smartphone for reminders and notes.
   2. She keeps a detailed daily journal and a series of questions on her computer.
   3. She asks her husband to quiz her daily on important facts.
   4. She uses visual cues and sticky notes throughout her house.
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   B. She keeps a detailed daily journal and a series of questions on her computer. Alice creates a detailed system on her computer, including questions about her family and a journal, to help her retain her sense of self and critical information as her memory deteriorates.

6. Question 6

   What is the significance of Alice's 'Good-bye, my darling' file on her computer?

   1. It contains letters to her family members for when she can no longer communicate.
   2. It is a collection of her favorite memories she wants to preserve.
   3. It is an instruction for herself to commit suicide when she reaches a certain stage of the disease.
   4. It's a research paper on the ethics of end-of-life care for Alzheimer's patients.
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   C. It is an instruction for herself to commit suicide when she reaches a certain stage of the disease. The 'Good-bye, my darling' file contains instructions for Alice to take an overdose of pills when her cognitive decline becomes too severe, reflecting her fierce independence and desire to control her own destiny.

7. Question 7

   How does Alice's relationship with her husband, John, change as her Alzheimer's progresses?

   1. He becomes increasingly frustrated and eventually leaves her.
   2. He remains her steadfast caregiver, making significant sacrifices for her well-being.
   3. He hires full-time professional caregivers and distances himself emotionally.
   4. They grow closer initially but then drift apart due to communication difficulties.
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   B. He remains her steadfast caregiver, making significant sacrifices for her well-being. Despite the immense challenges, John remains devoted to Alice, ultimately giving up his own career opportunities to care for her full-time. Their relationship transforms from one of intellectual equals to one of caregiver and cared-for, but his commitment endures.

8. Question 8

   What is a central theme explored by Lisa Genova through Alice's experience with Alzheimer's?

   1. The importance of genetic testing for all serious illnesses.
   2. The definition of identity and self when memory and cognitive functions are lost.
   3. The superiority of scientific research over emotional support in terminal illness.
   4. The inevitability of despair when faced with an incurable disease.
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   B. The definition of identity and self when memory and cognitive functions are lost. A core theme of 'Still Alice' is the exploration of what constitutes 'self' when one's memories, intellect, and ability to communicate are progressively stripped away by Alzheimer's. The book asks if identity can exist beyond these cognitive functions.

9. Question 9

   What specific challenge does Alice face regarding her ability to give a planned lecture after her diagnosis?

   1. She forgets the topic of her lecture entirely on the day it's scheduled.
   2. She struggles to find the right words and articulate her thoughts coherently during the presentation.
   3. She loses her notes and slides just before stepping on stage.
   4. She develops severe stage fright, which she never had before.
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   B. She struggles to find the right words and articulate her thoughts coherently during the presentation. During a key lecture, Alice experiences significant aphasia, struggling to retrieve words and form complete sentences, which is devastating for a renowned linguistics professor and highlights the impact of the disease on her core abilities.

10. Question 10

    By the end of the novel, what is the primary way Alice communicates and connects with her family?

    1. Through written notes and flashcards
    2. Mainly through physical touch and emotional presence
    3. She can still hold simple conversations, albeit with difficulty.
    4. Her family interprets her non-verbal cues and gestures.
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    B. Mainly through physical touch and emotional presence As Alice's disease progresses to its later stages, verbal communication becomes almost impossible. Her connection with her family, particularly Lydia, shifts to being primarily through touch, hugs, and the emotional presence they share, underscoring that love and connection can persist beyond words and memory.