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theyarngeek's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting but it went on FOREVER. It could have been half as long, in my opinion.
casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
The majority of the book contains stories of the author and his family before his son's Asperger's diagnosis. It could definitely give some insight into what it's like to be a parent of a kid with undiagnosed Asperger's. The book did not delve too much into the author's experience of getting the diagnosis for his son. I found it fascinating to read how one person on the spectrum parents another person on the spectrum. My take on the book can not help but be influenced by my experiences with the Aspie(s) in my own life!
One aspect of Mr. Robison's writing that kept jumping out at me was his tendency to "de-humanize" the human. I don't mean this is a mean way - it's just that when he refers to people, his son in particular, he almost always uses non-human terms or metaphors. I particularly noticed this in the first half of the book. I started writing down the occurrences. Here are a few:
paws = hands
two wheel drive versus four wheel drive - child walking versus crawling
hatch = be born
full-grown = adult
activate walk mode = stand the kid up
reset him = calm kid down after tantrum
refuel = feed kid
"when he produces grandchildren"
kid ownership = parenting
nesting materials = baby supplies
regularly fed and watered = kid had regular meals
If I could ask Mr. Robison why he does this, I would! Was it a conscious choice, or is it just his natural tendency? Is is just a somewhat humorous way to talk about his kid? Does it have anything to do with Aspies finding people difficult to "read?" Perhaps it sprung from needing to simplify the whole thing down to animal terms? Just speculating here - that one aspect of the book gave me lots to think about!
One aspect of Mr. Robison's writing that kept jumping out at me was his tendency to "de-humanize" the human. I don't mean this is a mean way - it's just that when he refers to people, his son in particular, he almost always uses non-human terms or metaphors. I particularly noticed this in the first half of the book. I started writing down the occurrences. Here are a few:
paws = hands
two wheel drive versus four wheel drive - child walking versus crawling
hatch = be born
full-grown = adult
activate walk mode = stand the kid up
reset him = calm kid down after tantrum
refuel = feed kid
"when he produces grandchildren"
kid ownership = parenting
nesting materials = baby supplies
regularly fed and watered = kid had regular meals
If I could ask Mr. Robison why he does this, I would! Was it a conscious choice, or is it just his natural tendency? Is is just a somewhat humorous way to talk about his kid? Does it have anything to do with Aspies finding people difficult to "read?" Perhaps it sprung from needing to simplify the whole thing down to animal terms? Just speculating here - that one aspect of the book gave me lots to think about!
jesslane88's review against another edition
4.0
Insightful, touching, humorous. I can't say enough good things about Robison's work.
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in2reading's review against another edition
4.0
Well told story of a family's adventures with Asperger's syndrome. By adventures I mean not only the challenges of family living and navigating the educational system. Jack (Cubby) Robison's fascination and talent for energetic (explosive) chemistry led to an ATF raid and a subsequent trial that bookends the story.
jesslane88's review against another edition
4.0
Insightful, touching, humorous. I can't say enough good things about Robison's work.
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infosifter's review against another edition
3.0
Divergent thinking can be a sign of genius, or it can get you in a lot of trouble! The author and his son--both on the autism spectrum--find this out the hard way when young Jack develops an intense fascination with the science of high explosives. The first part of this book gets a bit bogged down with the fathers descriptions of the crazy stories he told his son, but it's still quite interesting, especially if people close to you are on the spectrum.
heather2h2o's review
5.0
Raising a child is a challenge. Raising a child with Asperger’s Syndrome is more of a challenge. Raising a child with Asperger’s when you have Asperger’s yourself is really challenging. Follow John Elder Robison (Look Me in the Eye), as he chronicles his adventures in raising his son, Cubby. This is a highly entertaining read, regardless of whether or not you have personally touched by Asperger’s Syndrome. Follow Robison as he uses his unconventional approach to parenting to navigate his son through trains, school, girls, and explosives. I listened to the audiobook version, read by the author himself, and I enjoyed it. With accounts like these, having the author read the story himself lends credibility and authenticity.
I also recommend Robison’s other titles. In Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s, Robison chronicles his own childhood, well before Asperger’s Syndrome was identified. Be Different: My Adventures with Asperger's and My Advice for Fellow Aspergians, Misfits, Families, and Teachers is an excellent read for anybody wanting practical advice and a better understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome from the point of view of an Aspergian.
I also recommend Robison’s other titles. In Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s, Robison chronicles his own childhood, well before Asperger’s Syndrome was identified. Be Different: My Adventures with Asperger's and My Advice for Fellow Aspergians, Misfits, Families, and Teachers is an excellent read for anybody wanting practical advice and a better understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome from the point of view of an Aspergian.
karenteacher's review
5.0
Fascinating and intense. The author’s style, which involves a flashback-laden memoir, helps to demonstrate how his mind works - which is the point of the volume.
satyridae's review
3.0
I really enjoyed Robison's Look Me In The Eye, and I hoped I'd enjoy this one just as much. I didn't, though I still found it interesting. The second half of the book picks up speed and interest. Much of the first part is amusing but repetitive. Just like childrearing, yeah. I enjoy being able to look at the world through Robison's eyes, and I'll certainly read the book he alludes to in this text, the one he's writing now.
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