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Every Note Played cover art

Every Note Played

By: Lisa Genova
Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris, Dagmara Dominczyk, Lisa Genova - afterword
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Summary

From neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author of Still Alice comes a powerful and heartbreaking exploration of regret, forgiveness, freedom, and what it means to be alive.

An accomplished concert pianist, Richard received standing ovations from audiences all over the world in awe of his rare combination of emotional resonance and flawless technique. Every finger of his hands was a finely calibrated instrument, dancing across the keys and striking each note with exacting precision. That was eight months ago.

Richard now has ALS, and his entire right arm is paralyzed. His fingers are impotent, still, devoid of possibility. The loss of his hand feels like a death, a loss of true love, a divorce - his divorce.

He knows his left arm will go next.

Three years ago, Karina removed their framed wedding picture from the living room wall and hung a mirror there instead. But she still hasn't moved on. Karina is paralyzed by excuses and fear, stuck in an unfulfilling life as a piano teacher, afraid to pursue the path she abandoned as a young woman, blaming Richard and their failed marriage for all of it.

When Richard becomes increasingly paralyzed and is no longer able to live on his own, Karina becomes his reluctant caretaker. As Richard's muscles, voice, and breath fade, both he and Karina try to reconcile their past before it's too late.

Poignant and powerful, Every Note Played is a masterful exploration of redemption and what it means to find peace inside of forgiveness.

©2018 Lisa Genova (P)2018 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Narrators Dennis Boutsikaris and Dagmara Dominczyk bring to life this compelling story... Boutsikaris gets inside the mind and spirit of Richard... Dominczyk brings complicated layers of anger, regret, resentment, confusion, and love to the voice of estranged wife Karina." (AudioFile)

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Absorbing and heart breaking

Richard is a famous pianist; his job is his life. But his whole world shatters when he is diagnosed with ALS (MND in the UK). Without his hands, what is he? Karina is his ex wife. She was also a pianist, destined for great things until Richard's career took over and swamped her own. Grace is their daughter; an only child, she's the one thing that Karina and Richard still have between them. This is their story. As Richard's illness progresses, in horrendous ways that a fit and healthy person cannot even begin to contemplate, their lives entwine once more.

As usual with Lisa Genova, you know that this is going to be a no holds barred, gritty descent into heartache. With ALS you also know that there's never going to be a happy ending. But in contrast with this there is light and hope and acceptance. Throughout the darkest days of Richard's life there is kindness, positivity (I loved Bill his carer so so much) and sometimes humour. The detailing of Richard and Karina's past relationship was fascinating and also so bittersweet; the secrets, the deceptions, the sacrifices, all of what could have been but wasn't.

This book was very special to me for another reason - this was my very first Audible book. I got a free credit so thought I'd try one - the last time I listened to a book was back in 1999 when I got my eyes lasered and got about 15 cassettes (remember those?) for just one book, via my library. It wasn't a pleasant experience and one which I was loath to repeat. However times have definitely changed, people! What a difference technology has made; instead of being stuck in my bedroom listening, I went out running, walking, gardening - all the while being lost and utterly absorbed in this story. Listening to Richard and Karina's voices definitely made the story more vivid and authentic and I now feel a little sad that I won't be hearing them again.

So a five star read for me, and definitely not my last audio book! This is a game changer!

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So touching and insightful.

Love her characters and ability to help you relate to them. She is an amazing storyteller.

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Gripping, heartfelt and so much depth

This book was just as good as Still Alice. Couldn’t stop listening once started. Lisa Genova is becoming my favourite author.

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5 Heartbreaking Stars

Oh my goodness this book certainly hits you right in the feels!

This is all about the story of Richard and Karina, they were married for a while, but it all kind of went pear-shaped and they split a few years ago, they have a daughter between them, Grace, who is currently at University, and doesn’t really have much to do with her father.

Richard is a pianist, a really famous concert pianist, he has played all over the world, and has many fans and admirers, Richard loves this, he loves that fact that people love him, he is quite an arrogant man.

Karina is also a pianist, she prefers Jazz, she gave up her dream as a performer to support Richard in his dream.
The thing is, Richard took advantage of this, while he was away playing with the orchestra, Karina was looking after their new baby, Richard however was looking after his own needs with other women!

Karina couldn’t take it anymore, and rightly left him!

Richard is unfortunately diagnosed with ALS, he tries his best to cope with it on his own for a while, but after a strange twist of fate and a wrong number dialled, Karina ends up being his carer.

This book pulls no punches in relation to this awful disease, it starts from the twitching in the muscles, and takes us through every terrible thing that can happen after diagnosis, like the wheelchair, or the fact that your body locks itself, or that you can’t swallow, or that you have the option of recording your own voice and “banking” it, because after a while you won’t be able to talk / eat / chew anymore.

A big shout out also has to go for the guys who help care for people diagnosed with ALS, they are angels in a time of hell for the person with this awful disease, their time and patience with these people is remarkable.

You may know a little about ALS, like seeing Stephen Hawkins, or you took part in the ice Bucket challenge to raise money for it.

You may have first hand experience of this silent killer, I luckily for one have not, but i sure do send my hugs & prayers to anyone that has.

Not everyone is like Stephen Hawkins, in fact ALS will probably kill within 3 years, it is a devastating disease, and i hope one day that we find a cure, because currently there is NOTHING!

I didn’t realise that Lisa Genova was a neuroscientist, but after reading Still Alice & this book, it kind of makes sense, she knows exactly what she is talking about, and pulls no punches and rightly makes no apologies for it.

It broke my heart, but i am am so glad i read it

Prepare yourself for this one, it’s a tough read.

Find your hankies,

Vicci

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Touched my heart

A wonderful book, sad, heartwarming and breaking wrapped into one. Perfectly narrated with empathy and class. Highly recommended.

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