Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

Prices for book: Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

Book ISBN: 9780307396181

Author(s): John Elder Robison

Document type: Trade Paper

Publisher: Unknown

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Reviews

Aspergians Unite!

Rating: 80%

I chuckled at Mr. Robison's comment that he doesn't think of himself as having a disability that makes him "less than;" in fact, he proposes that Aspergians are actually a better shade of human being. That's an interesting concept. What would a country be like if its inhabitants were predominantly Aspergian? The cultural mores? The daily etiquette? Would there be more efficient use of language?

I also am considering adopting the mantle of Aspergianism when it suits. Did I put my foot in my mouth? "Oh, I'm so sorry, I've got a touch of Asperger's, you know. That's just the way I'm wired." I don't want to go to certain social events? Problem solved! "I'm so sorry I can't attend; you know how large groups affect those of us with Asperger's."

The reality is, I probably *am* somewhere on the lower end of the A Continuum.

But getting back to the book. I relished it. Loved Mr. Robison's straightforward writing style. Delighted with the "did I get the BEST sister" quandary. Even more delighted with how Unit 2 (Mary) answered his question, which gave him no satisfaction. Both she and Little Bear (Martha?) must be remarkable women.

I'm glad I'd read Running With Scissors first. I appreciated seeing a bit of the same story, but from an entirely different perspective.

When I read of kids who were like Mr. Robison, I think of one of the Huxley brothers' books, Island. A Utopian novel, it goes to some length to discuss how to learn about kids' challenges early on, and to describe specific methods of channeling those challenges in productive ways.

Showme (Amazon.com)

LOOK ME IN THE EYE: MY LIFE WITH ASPERGER'S

Rating: 100%

WELL WRITTEN, HEARTFELT INSIGHT INTO THE MIND OF AN ASPERGIAN. VALUABLE FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS ALIKE.

Maureen C. Redmond (Amazon.com)

A natural storyteller; informative and funny; terrific book!

Rating: 100%

I was captured by this book from page one. I have not (YET) read any of the books written by his famous brother, Augusten X Burroughs, but after reading LOOK ME IN THE EYE, I certainly will read something of Burroughs', probably WOLF AT THE TABLE. In any case, Robison's story of his life with Asperberger's is as revealing and intimate as a memoir can be. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of his role with the roadies and techies of the KISS tour, as both of my sons are long-time KISS fans. Robison's difficulties in childhood and high school are well documented here in the most human terms, his lack of friends and the lack of empathy or understanding from teachers and other adults made me wince with sympathy. Strangely, or perhaps not, as I read of Robison's life, I thought of a few people I have known over the years who exhibited similar quirks and savant-like talents, and wondered if perhaps they might also have been Asperger's types. I was also quite startled to learn that perhaps one in 150 people suffer from autism, which covers a wide spectrum of difficulties. Even Robison's strange and sometimes devilish and even cruel sense of humor and his penchant for practical jokes and pranks were described in such a way that I found myself entranced rather than repelled. After all, many of his victims got only what they deserved. Robison's experiences in looking for love and his descriptions of his first girlfriend (later his first wife) are also told in utterly believable and interesting terms. His obvious love for his son, Cubby, is another plus. I picked up this book rather reluctantly, possibly because I had read ANIMALS IN TRANSLATION a few years ago, written by Temple Grandin, an autistic savant of sorts. While I found her theories interesting, her writing style was somewhat sterile and robotic, in addition to being often repetitious and borderline boring. I had also picked up another autism memoir, Daniel Tammet's BORN ON A BLUE DAY and glanced through it once. It did not engage me at all. I found none of these faults in Robison's book. This is one helluva good read. I recommend it highly. - Tim Bazzett, author of SOLDIER BOY: AT PLAY IN THE ASA

Timothy J. Bazzett (Amazon.com)

Kinda boring

Rating: 40%

I bought this book because I also have asperger syndrome.. but i didn't read much about asperger's at all.. found it very boring.

J. Marzo (Amazon.com)

A glimpse into Asperger's

Rating: 80%

This book provides a unique "inside Asperger's" view of the condition and common reactions to a person with Asperger's. The author is an excellent writer and enables you to "feel" as well as picture life with Asperger's.

Barbara S. Deller (Amazon.com)

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