Love Anthony Review

From the million-copy bestseller Still Alice, author Lisa Genova brings you Love Anthony. A novel of unconditional love takes you on an emotional journey to give the reader an insight into autism and the sensitivities surrounding the condition.

The story retells a desperate mothers search for answers to why her autistic son passed away so suddenly. While this is a fictional story, Genova spoke with parents, physicians, therapists and researched the condition for several years, and through Love Anthony she touches on the uniqueness of autism.

Anthony’s mother Olivia crosses paths with mother of three, Beth, in strange circumstances. After her marriage breaks down, Olivia ventures back to her old home, Nantucket, in hope of finding peace and escaping the reality of her miseries. She steps back in time and brings the memories of her son Anthony to life, as she tries to match the puzzle pieces together.

Unaware of Olivia’s past, Beth writes a novel and with Olivia’s experience as an editor, she reads it for Beth. Olivia soon discovers the novel is written from a boy with autisms point of view. The uncanny events and descriptions in Beth’s book reflect Olivia and her son’s life. Olivia is certain this is a sign and a message from Anthony.

Meanwhile Beth has problems of her own and is troubled after her husband cheats on her. They try and rebuild their relationship and come to a cross roads on several occasions. As Beth learns the truth about Olivia and Anthony’s story, she is taught about the meaning of unconditional love. The two eventually help free each other from their own burdens.

Both dramatic and emotional, I was unable to put this book down. Wanting to know what would happen next and intrigued to understand and learn more about autism in this way. I was captivated by this well written novel. Love Anthony is sure the make you laugh, smile and cry and give you a whole new meaning of life.