This is perhaps my most requested video. It is one of the darkest and most disturbing books of all time, and it is an absolute masterclass of a philosophical and psychological novel. It explores the loneliness of a particular approach to life, how despair can hurt other people, and how to ruin your own life.
No specific mention of autism here (and indeed the main character, as described in this review, seems more narcissistic than autistic), but I suspect that many high-masking autistic people might relate to various aspects of this story. It does remind me of some things I've read that were written by high-masking autistic people, including a few folks here on Wrong Planet. It can also be taken as a warning about some of the worst pitfalls of extreme masking.
(Personally, I've never been a high masker.)
_________________ - Autistic in NYC - Resources and new ideas for the autistic adult community in the New York City metro area. - Autistic peer-led groups (via text-based chat, currently) led or facilitated by members of the Autistic Peer Leadership Group.
14 Jul 2025, 7:53 am
