Lisa Genova writes books that make you think. She blends science and storytelling. Every Note Played is no exception. It follows the life of Richard, a famous pianist, after he is diagnosed with ALS. The book explores loss, regret, and unexpected connections.
Most reviews focus on the sadness. But I see something different. This book is about choices. It’s about how we live, not just how we die.
A Story of More Than Just Tragedy
ALS is brutal. It takes away movement, control, and independence. Richard goes from playing concerts to barely lifting a finger. His ex-wife, Karina, becomes his reluctant caregiver. It’s easy to see this as a tragedy.
But Genova does something brilliant. She doesn’t just show suffering. She shows how people adapt. Richard loses his ability to play, but he doesn’t lose his ability to feel. His body fails, but his mind doesn’t. That’s powerful.
This book isn’t just about illness. It’s about what happens when we face our mistakes. Richard and Karina have a messy past. Resentment fills their home. But when ALS forces them together, they get a second chance. Not at love, but at understanding.
Music as More Than Sound
Richard is a pianist. Music is his life. Losing the ability to play is devastating. But the book asks a question: Is music just what we hear?
Even when Richard can’t press the keys, music stays with him. He hears it in his head. He feels its rhythm. This idea is powerful. It suggests that passion is more than action. It’s a part of us, even when we can’t express it the same way.
Too often, we link identity to ability. But Genova challenges that. Richard is still a musician, even when his hands don’t work. That’s a hopeful message for anyone facing loss.
A Different Kind of Love Story
This isn’t a romance. At least, not in the traditional sense. Richard and Karina are ex-spouses who hurt each other. They let pride and anger get in the way.
But as Richard’s disease progresses, their relationship changes. Karina chooses to care for him. Not out of obligation, but out of something deeper.
This book argues that love isn’t just about romance. It’s about showing up. It’s about forgiveness. Richard and Karina don’t fix everything. But they find peace. That’s more real than a perfect love story.
The Strength in Asking for Help
Richard is independent. He built his career alone. He doesn’t want to rely on others. But ALS doesn’t give him a choice. He has to let people help.
For many, asking for help feels like weakness. This book flips that idea. It shows that real strength is knowing when you can’t do it alone.
Karina, too, struggles with this. She takes on caregiving without support. She learns that burnout isn’t noble. It’s just exhausting.
This is an important lesson. We all need help sometimes. Admitting that doesn’t make us weak. It makes us human.
A Book That Makes You Reflect
Many books make you feel something. Few books make you think differently. This one does.
It makes you question what matters. Is it success? Is it talent? Or is it connection?
It challenges how we see loss. Is it just an ending? Or can it be a shift, a way to see life differently?
Every Note Played isn’t just a book about ALS. It’s a book about being human. It reminds us that even in loss, there’s still something left.
Final Thoughts
This book could have been just another sad story. But Lisa Genova makes it something more. It’s honest, but not hopeless. It’s painful, but also full of meaning.
If you’re looking for a book that will move you, this is it. But more importantly, if you’re looking for a book that will change how you see life, this one delivers.
