Maureen, what you read in the book is an examination of what it is like to be in the world with Aspergers; I hope you change your mind and decide t... (show more)
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's
Ever since he was small, John Robison had longed to connect with other people, but by the time he was a teenager, his odd habits—an inclination to blurt out non sequiturs, avoid eye contact, dismantle radios, and dig five-foot holes (and stick his younger brother in them)—had earned him the label “social deviant.” No guidance came from his mother, who conversed with light fixtures, or his father, who spent evenings pickling himself in sherry. It was no wonder he gravit... (show more)
Ever since he was small, John Robison had longed to connect with other people, but by the time he was a teenager, his odd habits—an inclination to blurt out non sequiturs, avoid eye contact, dismantle radios, and dig five-foot holes (and stick his younger brother in them)—had earned him the label “social deviant.” No guidance came from his mother, who conversed with light fixtures, or his father, who spent evenings pickling himself in sherry. It was no wonder he gravitated to machines, which could, at least, be counted on.
After fleeing his parents and dropping out of high school, his savant-like ability to visualize electronic circuits landed him a gig with KISS, for whom he created their legendary fire-breathing guitars. Later, he drifted into a “real” job, as an engineer for a major toy company. But the higher Robison rose in the company, the more he had to pretend to be “normal” and do what he simply couldn’t: communicate. It wasn’t worth the paycheck.
It was not until he was forty that an insightful therapist told him he had the form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome. That understanding transformed the way Robison saw himself—and the world.
Look Me in the Eye is the moving, darkly funny story of growing up with Asperger’s at a time when the diagnosis simply didn’t exist. A born storyteller, Robison takes you inside the head of a boy whom teachers and other adults regarded as “defective,” who could not avail himself of KISS’s endless supply of groupies, and who still has a peculiar aversion to using people’s given names (he calls his wife “Unit Two”). He also provides a fascinating reverse angle on the younger brother he left at the mercy of their nutty parents—the boy who would later change his name to Augusten Burroughs and write the bestselling memoir Running with Scissors.
Ultimately, this is the story of Robison’s journey from his world into ours, and his new life as a husband, father, and successful small business owner—repairing his beloved high-end automobiles. It’s a strange, sly, indelible account—sometimes alien, yet always deeply human. (show less)
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I'm having a difficult time getting through this book. I am interested in learning more about autism spectrum disorders and thought this book migh... (show more)
I'm having a difficult time getting through this book. I am interested in learning more about autism spectrum disorders and thought this book might provide a more "casual" and realistic look. Ultimately, I guess it does, but Robison's main obsessions (as is common with those with ASD) are music and cars. I know little about either and have virtually no interes in the two. The majority of the "meat" of this book is about cars and music. If you like these subjects, you'll probably enjoy the book. If, however, you are like me, and know little about cars and music, you should probably choose a different book. (show less)
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Wonderful insight into what life is like for an Aspergian. I relate to his extremely logical view of the world, and it makes me think that we are all on a continuum; there is no such thing as "normal" or a "right" way to behave. I read the book because I wanted to improve my understanding of an acquaintance with Asperger's. I found John's story fascinating and his honesty and spirit inspiring. We all have to learn how to live in the world around us, after all, but it is mo... (show more)
Wonderful insight into what life is like for an Aspergian. I relate to his extremely logical view of the world, and it makes me think that we are all on a continuum; there is no such thing as "normal" or a "right" way to behave. I read the book because I wanted to improve my understanding of an acquaintance with Asperger's. I found John's story fascinating and his honesty and spirit inspiring. We all have to learn how to live in the world around us, after all, but it is more difficult for some than for others. This book has made me more accepting of all types of people, and more cognizant that we are all fighting to cope in one way or another. (show less)
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My 6 year old exhibits behaviors associated with Asberger's, and may end up being diagnosed with it. After finishing a grueling round of books by mental health professionals, this was a refreshing change of pace.
Robison, the older brother of Augusten Burroughs, recounts a dysfunctional and very interesting life - on tour with KISS creating Ace's fire-breathing guitars and creating some of the first electronic toys at Milton Bradley - until he was diagnosed at 40. Of his condition he c... (show more)
My 6 year old exhibits behaviors associated with Asberger's, and may end up being diagnosed with it. After finishing a grueling round of books by mental health professionals, this was a refreshing change of pace.
Robison, the older brother of Augusten Burroughs, recounts a dysfunctional and very interesting life - on tour with KISS creating Ace's fire-breathing guitars and creating some of the first electronic toys at Milton Bradley - until he was diagnosed at 40. Of his condition he concludes "So I'm not defective. In fact, in recent years I have started to see that we Aspergians are better than normal! And now if seems as though scientists agree: Recent articles suggest that a touch of Asperger's is an essential part of much creative genius." Not weird, just wired differently. He also grew up in Western Massachusetts, and mentions Chicopee, South Hadley, Amherst and Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton (where my brother was born) which was fun. (show less)
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