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jend33's review against another edition
5.0
What a little gem. It's no wonder John Williams is a comic because he's great at telling a story and knowing exactly when to make you laugh. This book doesn't sugarcoat or gloss over the hard bits of John's life with his son, but it does always return to optimism.
His attention to the little details really made this book for me. I particularly liked the Power Ranger sellotaped to the Christmas tree.
His attention to the little details really made this book for me. I particularly liked the Power Ranger sellotaped to the Christmas tree.
simonmee's review
5.0
It's a bit of a cheap trick to review a book by reference to another but this genuinely feels like the anti-Jordan Peterson.
This isn't a book about how to tidy your room before criticising anyone else, walking the path between "Order" and "Chaos", and then eventually learning how to f**k the lobster. Yes, there is suffering in Williams' book but, far far more importantly, there is empathy.
As is apparent from the title, the author has an autistic son (and is later diagnosed with cerebral palsey). Williams' himself has employment difficulties, bipolar disorder, and a broken relationship. What elevates this book is that none of those cliches properly summarise the story. This book is a deeply personal experience, there is no guide to the reader about how they should apply the author's situation to their own. While that may appear unhelpful, it drives home that labels are never truly adequate. 12 Rules for life do not suffice, when your child has at least 11,000 running through their brain.
There is no easy or final victories in this story. But there are moments of joy. Competing for dominance feels silly after reading this book.
Oh, and this book is much more precise in what it says.
This isn't a book about how to tidy your room before criticising anyone else, walking the path between "Order" and "Chaos", and then eventually learning how to f**k the lobster. Yes, there is suffering in Williams' book but, far far more importantly, there is empathy.
As is apparent from the title, the author has an autistic son (and is later diagnosed with cerebral palsey). Williams' himself has employment difficulties, bipolar disorder, and a broken relationship. What elevates this book is that none of those cliches properly summarise the story. This book is a deeply personal experience, there is no guide to the reader about how they should apply the author's situation to their own. While that may appear unhelpful, it drives home that labels are never truly adequate. 12 Rules for life do not suffice, when your child has at least 11,000 running through their brain.
There is no easy or final victories in this story. But there are moments of joy. Competing for dominance feels silly after reading this book.
Oh, and this book is much more precise in what it says.
lottieliza's review against another edition
4.0
So glad I picked this book up. A hilarious, moving and poignant reflection on parenthood and autism. A book filled with honesty. I was especially interesting to read about an autistic person who doesn't fit the usual symptoms or stereotypes. The type usual films or tv don't like to show. I think it is an important read for understanding a different side to autism and a parent raising an autistic child. I will now definitely be going on to read more on John's blog.
ruthhawes89's review against another edition
5.0
Having been diagnosed with Austim myself this book was a very heartfelt story. As the book says it is not a book about how to deal with autism but more about this one family's story of living with it. Alot of the anecdotes used had me in stitches. I mean to me long jump has always been 'Running through the sandpit'. I saw alot of myself in the boy and this made the book even more special. John has wrote an excellent account of a misunderstood disease.