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eve_prime's review
3.75
I had greatly enjoyed the author’s Enchantment, so I got her two earlier books from the library; this one was the first. It’s a memoir of the year she realized and made peace with the likelihood that she has autism, even though she’s been able to pass for neurotypical for most of her adult life – she’s just adapted very well to what people expected of her. Her thoughts about this were interspersed with her accounts of hiking in southern England – lots and lots of hiking. Her husband would drive her to the location, spend the day entertaining their toddler, then meet her wherever she said she’d be, which was not really his idea of a good time, nor did she often enjoy the hiking so much, either.
I understood that the hiking itself was not the point of the book, even though most of the book was about the hikes, but I did find it mildly frustrating that there were no maps to remind us where she was going. The complicating part was that part of the time she was on the South West Coast trail, and at other times she was on a trail in her native Kent, and although (unlike many American readers, I am sure) I actually know where places like Kent, Devon, Exmoor, etc., are in relation to each other, I do not know which of those places towns like Appledore, Chilham, and Clovelly belong to, although eventually I could figure it out from the context. I’d have appreciated one map for Kent and another for the southwestern corner of England/Cornwall with the various towns marked on them.
Anyway, aside from that – the author has great insights and an engaging writing style, and the book is worth reading.
I understood that the hiking itself was not the point of the book, even though most of the book was about the hikes, but I did find it mildly frustrating that there were no maps to remind us where she was going. The complicating part was that part of the time she was on the South West Coast trail, and at other times she was on a trail in her native Kent, and although (unlike many American readers, I am sure) I actually know where places like Kent, Devon, Exmoor, etc., are in relation to each other, I do not know which of those places towns like Appledore, Chilham, and Clovelly belong to, although eventually I could figure it out from the context. I’d have appreciated one map for Kent and another for the southwestern corner of England/Cornwall with the various towns marked on them.
Anyway, aside from that – the author has great insights and an engaging writing style, and the book is worth reading.
crosenfrisk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The author has a great way of sharing humor and reflection, helping explain and examine life as a previously undiagnosed woman on the spectrum. ASD is misunderstood and as a person who also believes that a diagnosis can be helpful in 1. Increasing understanding and compassion from self and others 2. Validates feelings/experiences that are otherwise seem as unusual. A must-read.
alexisamburgey's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
katlizlove's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was good; her way of writing is captivating. There were times that the story lulled or I lost focus but overall I thought it was good.
sarahh14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
eileen91's review against another edition
3.75
At times I struggled with the authors voice and this book can be hard to get into. As an American i often had to google maps of England to get an idea of what she was talking about. That being said the self growth and self exploration were very interesting.
piscero's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0