Author: John Elder Robison

Rating: 7 out of 10

Reviewer: Ying-yue Zhao

Ever wondered what the world looked like to other people? I think all of us have gone through rough times when we felt like we didn’t fit in and/or no one understands us (aka adolescence), but what if your mind was really wired differently? John Elder Robison’s autobiography provides some insight into what it was like to grow up with Asperger’s syndrome (an Autism Spectrum Disorder). What was more intriguing is the fact that he was not diagnosed until he was in his forties.

The book starts by depicting Robison’s childhood, detailing failed yet humorous social exchanges with other children: “At recess, I walked over to Chuckie and patted her on the head. My mother had shown me how to pet my poodle on the head to make friends with him… Smack! She hit me. Startled, I ran away. That didn’t work, I said to myself. Maybe I have to pet her a little longer to make friends. I can pet her with a stick so she can’t smack me. But the teacher intervened“.