Lisa Genova

When a beloved Irish-Catholic police officer is diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, his grown children witness their father's demise and consider whether they want to be tested to see if they have inherited the condition. By the best-selling author of Still Alice.

A Novel

Inside the O'Briens

lamia 

its a good story but not a great story. the inner turmoil of the characters is well written and some parts are touching, but overall this was just an ok read. i dont think this would strike as emotionally riveting or inspiring to anyone who has not experienced a life changing diagnosis for them/a loved one.

Brigid prior 

The story is great and completely opened my eyes- just like any good book should. The only reason I gave this 3 instead of 4 is because the writing is sometimes too forced for my taste, (ie. "frickin'"). I absolutely recommend reading it.

Melody Izard

It could have been too hopeless feeling; it could have been too feel-good. Instead it was So Hum.

Katheryn Haskell

** spoiler alert **
           It was good! Not my favourite, but good. I wasn't a huge fan of how it ended, I felt that it was left a little bit unfinished for my liking, but still good.

Amy Buckle

If you’ve read Still Alice and loved it, then this one is for you. Inside the O’Briens follows the journey of Joe O’Brien, an ordinary Irish-American man who receives the devastating news that he has Huntington’s disease. As we are told on the first page of the novel, “it has been called the cruellest disease known to man.” Genova allows the reader to dive headfirst into the story of Joe and his family, and their struggle with the catastrophic news. Not only has Joe been told he has HD, but each of his four children have a 50/50 chance of developing it too... read the full review here: https://www.amybucklesbookshelf.co.uk...

Lynnea Mueller

Mandy

Allison Garber

Derek Barlas

The breathtaking new novel from the author of STILL ALICE, now adapted into an Academy Award-winning film starring Julianne Moore. Joe O'Brien is a Boston cop; his physical stamina and methodical mind have seen him through decades policing the city streets, while raising a family with his wife Rosie. When he starts making uncharacteristic errors, he attributes them to stress. Finally, he agrees to see a doctor and is handed a terrifying, unexpected diagnosis: Huntington's disease. Not only is Joe's life set to change beyond recognition, but each of his four grown children has a fifty-fifty chance of inheriting the disease. Observing her potential future play out in his escalating symptoms, his pretty yoga teacher daughter Katie wrestles with how to make the most of the here and now, and how to care for her dad who is, inside, always an O'Brien. Praise for Inside the O'Briens: 'I urge you to read this book. The story is so uplifting and redeeming that it fills you with hope ... Quite simply brilliant' Judy Finnigan 'Devastating. We climb into the hearts of a normal, chaotic, loving family. A story about the resilience of love in the face of a tragic, inevitable fate' Julie Cohen, author of Dear Thing

Kevin. j Mercil 

Mahogany Skillings

Melissa Schwartz

Joe O'Brien is a forty-four-year-old police officer from the Irish Catholic neighborhood of Charlestown, Massachusetts. A devoted husband, proud father of four children in their twenties, and respected officer, Joe begins experiencing bouts of disorganized thinking, uncharacteristic temper outbursts, and strange, involuntary movements. He initially attributes these episodes to the stress of his job, but as these symptoms worsen, he agrees to see a neurologist and is handed a diagnosis that will change his and his family's lives forever: Huntington's Disease. Huntington's is a lethal neurodegenerative disease with no treatment and no cure. Each of Joe's four children has a 50 percent chance of inheriting their father's disease, and a simple blood test can reveal their genetic fate. While watching her potential future in her father's escalating symptoms, twenty-one-year-old daughter Katie struggles with the questions this test imposes on her young adult life. Does she want to know? What if she's gene positive? Can she live with the constant anxiety of not knowing? As Joe's symptoms worsen and he's eventually stripped of his badge and more, Joe struggles to maintain hope and a sense of purpose, while Katie and her siblings must find the courage to either live a life "at risk" or learn their fate.

Inside the O'Briens A Novel

Reviews