Left Neglected

Lisa Genova’s second novel, Left Neglected (2011), is the fictional story of Sarah Nickerson, a high-powered executive whose life changes forever when she is in a serious car accident. Genova is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, each dealing with a different neurological condition. She graduated from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and from Harvard University with a doctorate in neuroscience, a background that influences her writing. Other works by this author include Still Alice, Love Anthony, and Every Note Played.

Plot Summary

Sarah Nickerson relates the story from a first-person perspective. Sarah tries to balance a demanding job as the head of human resources for Berkeley Consulting, an international firm based in Boston, and a suburban family life with her husband Bob and their three children. Every day is a complex attempt to juggle long work hours and the needs of her family. Sarah loves her family, but she also loves the challenges of her career, as she is a highly competitive perfectionist. Her husband Bob also works long hours in the stressful environment of a start-up company.