Recommendations for Books of Relevance to Autism?

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Shadweller
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29 Jan 2022, 12:14 pm

Has anyone found any relevant books that have strongly resonated, or not, with them?

I have read a few since my Autism self diagnosis a few months ago, and these were some of my own thoughts about the books I read (or listened to on audiobook to be more precise.)

Steve Silberman - Neurotribes - I didn't like it - it was far too waffly with loads of very long and completely irrelevant tangents, I found these so annoying and they really made me bored and angry and frustrated. He needed a better editor. I don't care about the brother of the cleaner of the guys 3rd cousin who worked in the same office as some researcher 50 years ago FFS!! And I certainly don't need so many of these really long passages about all these sort of completely irrelevant tangents. Was he being paid by the word or something? I don't get it at all! Stick to the point for God's sake or leave it out!! Anyway, there were a few good and informative bits buried amongst all the irrelevant BS though. Even though he often failed to make any clear points even during the 'good bits'. It was a very annoying book!!  If he'd made the book 1/4 or 1/2 of it's final size, and left out all of the pointless tangents it would have been much better in my opinion.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time - I got much more out of it this time round, compared to when i last tried it some 15 years ago (before I had the faintest idea that I might be Autistic myself), when i gave up on it too early as I could not get into it at that time. I persevered this time, and this time I got past my initial difficulties with the book, and the story really takes off and becomes really gripping. It's very well put together.

John Elder Robison - Look Me in the Eye - this was ok although the guy didn't seem in any way troubled by his Autism at all to me, he had lots of special gifts too. An entertaining read, although the protagonist definitely seems more gifted by his Autism rather than facing difficulties due to it. I can't recall any mention of any difficulties the guy faced and I think it should have been a bit more balanced and included at least a section on this, and how he overcame or dealt with his difficulties. I find it hard to believe that he had no difficulties in life due to his Autism.

Michael McCreary - Funny, You Dont Look Autistic A Comedians Guide to Life on the Spectrum - this was quite good, similar to the above, in that it's another positive tale of an individual with Autism adapting to his condition, and 'doing well in life' by any objective measure.

Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik - How to Be Human An Autistic Man's Guide - i think I may have to re-listen to this, as at the moment, I cant remember anything about it for some reason!

Divergent Mind (2020) - Jenara Nerenberg - seems good so far - I've only listened to this in bed so far, and haven't been able to get very far before falling asleep! (That's not to say it's boring, but I use audiobooks in bed specifically to help me fall asleep)I will obviously have to try listening to it whilst not in bed!)  It is specifically about neurodivergent females, but even as a male I have been able to relate to what I have heard so far, and have found the content very pertinent.

James, Laura - Odd Girl Out - 2017 - read by Lucinda Clare - not started this one yet

Philip Wylie - Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome - I've not started this one yet either, but I mean to soon because it seems to match my own  individual circumstances exactly, and seems to have a lot of in depth personal info and advice, according to the reviews and background info I have seen.

Robert A. Heinlein - Stranger in a Strange Land. It has been said that this book contains a lot of parallels to Autism, and I would have to agree. I read it many years ago and enjoyed it on that occasion, but when I tried again recently I could not get into the right frame of mind for it, and found myself irritated by what might have been a fashionable and racy read at one point, but seemed dated and hammy to me on this occasion. (I think it may have been the bad narrator of the audiobook that really put me off)

Are there any others that any other members here would or could or should add to the list? And why? Or was there even any that you did not enjoy, and if so what were the reasons for that?



HighLlama
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29 Jan 2022, 4:56 pm

Does not mention autism or Asperger's, but I still maintain Mr. Stevens in The Remains of the Day (by Kazuo Ishiguro) is on the spectrum. His passion is being a great butler, which also gives him scripts for social interaction. He likes his room dark, and is rigid about privacy and break time. Cannot recognize flirting. Sensitive to noise. Needs his boss to push him to take a vacation, and so on. Brilliant book.



Shadweller
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29 Jan 2022, 5:34 pm

HighLlama wrote:
Does not mention autism or Asperger's, but I still maintain Mr. Stevens in The Remains of the Day (by Kazuo Ishiguro) is on the spectrum. His passion is being a great butler, which also gives him scripts for social interaction. He likes his room dark, and is rigid about privacy and break time. Cannot recognize flirting. Sensitive to noise. Needs his boss to push him to take a vacation, and so on. Brilliant book.


Interesting, thanks. I will add this to my list.

Now you've said that it's made me think that it's quite likely that there's a strong connection as to why Anthony Hopkins chose to play this role in the film adaptation of the book. I only found out a couple of weeks ago that he was diagnosed with Autism himself at some point in his 70s!

He may have been drawn to the role in some way he didn't quite understand at the time!

I love it when things connect up and tie in, in ways like this :)



HighLlama
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29 Jan 2022, 5:42 pm

^A very good point. He was great in the movie.