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Left Neglected: a Book Review by Tracy Levett-Jones

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Left Neglected: a Book Review by Tracy Levett-Jones LEFT NEGLECTED: A BOOK REVIEW BY TRACY LEVETT-JONES 1 Left Neglected is the second novel (after Still Alice) of neuroscientist and award-winning writer, Lisa Genova. It tells the story of Sarah Nickerson who, when she regains consciousness after eight days of being in a coma, is diagnosed with ‘left neglect’, also known as hemispatial neglect, caused by damage to the right hemisphere of the brain. This results in Sarah being unable to recognise the left side of the body and the space around it. Prior to the accident Sarah was a 37-year-old Harvard graduate and mother of three who worked more than 60 hours a week as the vice president of human resources at Berkley Consulting. She considered herself to be the ultimate multitasker and a ‘competitive, Type A perfectionist’. Twice a month she allowed herself to cry, just for five minutes while sitting at her desk, in order to ‘reset.’ One fateful day when driving to work Sarah looked away from the road for a split second and was involved in a major car accident. While undergoing rehabilitation, Sarah struggles to come to terms with the limitations of her condition. Although she vows to ‘recover faster than anyone here would predict’ her progress is slow and frustrating. She is dependent on other people to help her dress, she cannot walk without a cane, and needs help to even floss her teeth. Sarah lives with the nagging fear: ‘What happens if I don’t get better?’’ Adding to complexity of the unfolding story, Sarah’s estranged mother comes to help take care of her and the children. Sarah is resistant and resentful about her mother’s sudden desire to help and ruefully says to the reader: 1 Lisa Genova – Left Neglected [online image]. Retrieved August 26, 2018 from: https://images-na.ssl-images- amazon.com/images/I/5167IDiv4NL._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg 1 ‘I try to remember the last time she helped me with anything … I think she poured me a glass of milk in 1984.’ The key to the success of this book and what makes it a ‘must read’ for healthcare professionals (and students) is that Genova brings her knowledge as a neuroscientist together with the understandings gained from interviewing multiple people about the experience of left neglect and traumatic brain injury, including men and women who have left neglect, their spouses, neurologists, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, and research scientists. This in-depth research allowed Genova to provide meaningful insights into the lived experience of traumatic brain injury, and in so doing, enables readers to share the character’s fears, frustrations, regrets and day-to day-concerns. Left Neglected is a novel worth reading. It illuminates the feelings associated with recovering from and living with a brain injury, from the perspective of someone whose perspectives and feelings resonate with us. This New York Times bestseller is poignant and powerful; it allows readers to reflect on the importance of finding abundance in difficult circumstances and learning to focus on what matters most. DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. The back cover of Left Neglected states that the novel is ‘about what we ignore and neglect in ourselves, in our families, and in the world around us’. − What new insights did Sarah gain about what she had neglected in her ‘old life’? − Is there anything that you are neglecting in your own life or work? Did this book help you to take a new look at ‘what matter most’? 2. The book explains how Sarah is initially resistant to accepting her son’s diagnosis of attention deficit disorder. − Do you think the limitations associated with her own brain injury makes Sarah more able to empathise with Charlie’s condition? − As healthcare professionals, how do we learn to truly empathise with people, even without actually experiencing their injuries and illnesses ourselves? 3. Sarah's trauma gives her a chance to reconnect with her estranged mother. Why do you think it is so hard for Sarah to forgive her mother? 4. While Sarah described her passion for her high-powered job, she needs to periodically have timed crying sessions to cope with the associated stress. − What can healthcare professions do to effectively manage their work-based stress and prevent burnout and compassion fatigue? 5. Which of the characters in Left Neglected are most able to empathise with Sarah? How do the different characters demonstrate empathy? 6. While Sarah was in the hospital and rehabilitation centre, what did the healthcare professionals and her friends and family do that was particularly helpful or harmful? 2 OTHER BOOKS BY LISA GENOVA Each of these novels by neuroscientist Lisa Genova, are a ‘must read’ for healthcare professionals: − Still Alice, a memoir about a psychology professor who has early-onset Alzheimer's disease. − Love Anthony, a moving story about motherhood, love, loss, friendship and an autistic boy. − Inside The O’Brien’s, a novel that illustrates the impact of the genetically transmitted and fatal Huntington’s disease on one family. − Every Note Played, a moving depiction of the harrowing effects of ALS on an accomplished concert pianist, LINKS Lisa Genova talks about the physiology of left neglect and her inspiration for the book: https://blog.booktopia.com.au/2011/02/10/lisa-genova-author-of-left-neglected-and-still-alice- answers-ten-terrifying-questions/ A TED talk about Alzheimer’s by Lisa Genova: https://www.lisagenova.com/ REFERENCE Genova, L. (2011). Left Neglected. New York: Simon & Schuster This review forms one component of the Virtual Empathy Museum funded by an Australian Technology Network Grants Scheme for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (2018) - https://www.virtualempathymuseum.com.au/ 3 .
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