Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova

I loved this. It’s about an Irish Boston married Police Officer in his 40s who is diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. HD is an inherited progressive neurological condition that breaks down the nerve cells in the brain. It affects cognition, behavior, movement, strength, mood, speaking, tremors also weight loss. There is no cure. He has four adult children and offspring have a 50/50chance to of inheriting it. 

Lisa Genova does an incredible job of educating us on the disease as well as showing us the progression through the MMC, Joe O’Brien. She also showed how it emotionally and psychologically impacted his family, friends and even his job. 

The story is not all doom and gloom. The support the family shows each other is beautiful. They are a very tight knit family using humor to break up the tension and stress. 

I felt very connected to this story—not sure if it is because I work in healthcare (I’m an OT in a short term rehabilitation facility) and treat many neurological patients or because I myself have a neurological condition (Multiple Sclerosis). But I NEEDED a book like this in my life. There is not many fictional books written to raise awareness about neurological conditions. I totally ate this up! This is my first Lisa Genova book and I cannot wait to read more! 

5 AMAZING stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️