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A review by manicuredreader
What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum
1.0
I did not enjoy this book and had trouble finishing it. There were so many points that I took issue with from the girl hating, to the flippant, faux representation (the half-Indian and curvy main character seemed to be written to get bonus points without really adding a rich layer of authenticity), and romance that way overshadowed the grief that was supposed to be the driving factor in Kit's story. All of this made the story, which could've been good actually subpar for me.
But, all of these points have been addressed by other reviewers. What I don't see as much is discussing the issues with the autism representation. I love how some of it is done and absolutely hate the rest. You can tell the author did research on the subject, like learning the main characteristics of autism and applying it to a person, but it all seemed too superficial, like her portrayal of Kit. The fact that David has obsessions on certain topics and is very knowledgable about them, likes to wear specific clothing because of how the material feels on his skin, how he has self-stimulating behaviors, and tends to clinically dissect the workings of social situations are all accurate. What becomes problematic is how the author will change how autistic and high-functioning David is according to what would advance the plot.
I will give a specific, spoiler-y example. Be warned that if you want to read this book, don't read ahead.
It is unrealistic that the same guy who was able to (slightly suffer) through a high school party, kiss his crush with confidence and know-how for his first time, and have smooth moves like wrapping his scarf around her and pulling her in for a kiss at the end of the night (which he says he thought of himself) is the same guy who was so socially unaware that he smiled at being able to solve the mystery of how Kit's father died and yelled at her for lying to him about the circumstances in a public place without a second thought to how she would feel or react. Not possible. People with high-functioning autism have trouble navigating the nuances of social situations but are not so completely oblivious that this would ever be realistic. It was so hard to read about and not be angry since it was just used as a convenient plot point.
I also disliked that the author mentions in her acknowledgements that she wants to be an ally to those with autism and encourages her reader to do the same, but also spends the entire book reducing David into a two-dimensional character. He goes from "not to hot" with a change of clothes and haircut (which was not portrayed as life changing to David as it should've been given how he has been wearing the same clothes for years for specific reasons and freaked out that his sister returned from college with a purple stripe in her hair) and all his atypical behaviors are not normalized or explained well, but rather fetishized and were "adorable" to Kit all. the. time. It is patronizing.
I really wanted to love this book and get excited for the representation of autism. I wanted to read it because my husband is on the spectrum and wanted to identify with some of the highlights and challenges that this relationship dynamic poses, but instead I got something that not only fell flat, but actually felt harmful. I was disappointed.
But, all of these points have been addressed by other reviewers. What I don't see as much is discussing the issues with the autism representation. I love how some of it is done and absolutely hate the rest. You can tell the author did research on the subject, like learning the main characteristics of autism and applying it to a person, but it all seemed too superficial, like her portrayal of Kit. The fact that David has obsessions on certain topics and is very knowledgable about them, likes to wear specific clothing because of how the material feels on his skin, how he has self-stimulating behaviors, and tends to clinically dissect the workings of social situations are all accurate. What becomes problematic is how the author will change how autistic and high-functioning David is according to what would advance the plot.
I will give a specific, spoiler-y example. Be warned that if you want to read this book, don't read ahead.
It is unrealistic that the same guy who was able to (slightly suffer) through a high school party, kiss his crush with confidence and know-how for his first time, and have smooth moves like wrapping his scarf around her and pulling her in for a kiss at the end of the night (which he says he thought of himself) is the same guy who was so socially unaware that he smiled at being able to solve the mystery of how Kit's father died and yelled at her for lying to him about the circumstances in a public place without a second thought to how she would feel or react. Not possible. People with high-functioning autism have trouble navigating the nuances of social situations but are not so completely oblivious that this would ever be realistic. It was so hard to read about and not be angry since it was just used as a convenient plot point.
I also disliked that the author mentions in her acknowledgements that she wants to be an ally to those with autism and encourages her reader to do the same, but also spends the entire book reducing David into a two-dimensional character. He goes from "not to hot" with a change of clothes and haircut (which was not portrayed as life changing to David as it should've been given how he has been wearing the same clothes for years for specific reasons and freaked out that his sister returned from college with a purple stripe in her hair) and all his atypical behaviors are not normalized or explained well, but rather fetishized and were "adorable" to Kit all. the. time. It is patronizing.
I really wanted to love this book and get excited for the representation of autism. I wanted to read it because my husband is on the spectrum and wanted to identify with some of the highlights and challenges that this relationship dynamic poses, but instead I got something that not only fell flat, but actually felt harmful. I was disappointed.