Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante
When Amanda, Jennifer's best friend, is murdered the police don't know who did it, but they wonder why four fingers of her right hand were carefully (surgically even) removed. They are especially curious about Jennifer’s possible involvement in the crime since she is a world renowned hand surgeon. Unfortunately Jennifer doesn't know what she knows. She is suffering from Alzheimer's and often forgets that Amanda is dead, or even who Amanda was. Much of the time Jennifer can’t remember who she is, where she is, or her place in time.
When Amanda, Jennifer's best friend, is murdered the police don't know who did it, but they wonder why four fingers of her right hand were carefully (surgically even) removed. They are especially curious about Jennifer’s possible involvement in the crime since she is a world renowned hand surgeon. Unfortunately Jennifer doesn't know what she knows. She is suffering from Alzheimer's and often forgets that Amanda is dead, or even who Amanda was. Much of the time Jennifer can’t remember who she is, where she is, or her place in time.
This story is told from Jennifer’s point of view and it is a case study of the progression of the disease coupled with an interesting murder mystery. Unlike Still Alice, another book told from the point of view of a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s, Turn of Mind shows the disease in all its ugliness. The reader experiences not only the gentleness and childhood memories, but the stubbornness, irrational anger and fits of temper Jennifer fluctuates between; as well as her moments of lucidity – painful for her family to have since they are so rare and fleeting.
If you are looking for an psychological thriller told by an unreliable narrator I think you’d enjoy Before I Go To Sleep much more, but if you are interested in a book told from the point of view of a person with Alzheimer’s this is a eye-opening portrayal of the disease.
