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483rd out of 755 books
—
3,426 voters
Mozart and the Whale: An Asperger's Love Story
A riveting and inspiring memoir about a couple who fell in love, fell apart, and finally overcame the pressures of fame, family, and Asperger's syndrome to build a life together.When Jerry and Mary Newport met, the connection was instant; neither had ever felt more comfortable. A musical genius and a mathematical wonder, the two shared astronomical IQs, but they also share...more
Hardcover, 265 pages
Published
January 9th 2007
by Touchstone Books
(first published January 1st 2007)
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One of my favorite quotes: "Here's what I'd tell those people out there like Jerry and me, who are trying to make their relationships work: Get a shoe box, decorate it up, and turn it into a treasure chest. Next, write down all the things that you and your mate love to do together on scraps of paper and place those scraps inside your treasure chest. Then, find a trash can, write down all your negative traits- not necessarily what you've been told not to like, but what it is that doesn't make you...more
I was really interested in reading this book. People with Asperger syndrome have problems with socializing so this made it even more interesting because "Mozart and the Whale" deals with Jerry and Mary, who both have Asperger syndrome and they fall in love. It's a true story, written by a ghost writer but that doesn't make you hear Jerry and Mary's voice any less. Although the thematics of the book really spoke to me, it wasn't as interesting as I hoped it would be. I wasn't 'grabbed' by it. I a...more
This book is co or tri-written by two people with Asperger's who eventually meet, fall in love, marry, divorce and remarry. I knew little about this disease - a form of autism. My problem with the book is that despite the descriptions of their feelings I never felt like I really got inside them and understood what it was really like to be them. Mary's life was so horrendous as to have made anyone crazy. Will be interested in hearing Riah's take on the story and the disease and our January book g...more
The movie is an endearing, funny take-off on the book. However, the actual story is a serious peace of work with much more insight and details of what it is like to have Asperger's. At first I had a little problem with Jerry and Mary taking turns speaking, but once I got a feel for their voices,I settled into a smooth read. One thing I noticed is the difference between men and women who have Autism/Asperger's. Quite striking. This is truly a fascinating love story about two people who are soul m...more
Jerry and Mary's true account of each learning to live with their diagnoses of Asperger's syndrome, and their story of finding one another. I had the fortune of attending a presentation, followed by a question and answer session, with them during the One Book, One Community promotion several years ago. They shared so much of themselves and I was blessed to be allowed a glimpse into their lives.
If you ever want to read a memoir about autism/Aspergers, I would suggest reading this one first. All the ones I've read are great, but I think this one is the best because it's 2 Aspies that are so different from each other. I really shows how different the faces of autism can look. And again, it's such a gift to be able to understand how the autistic brain works.
This is the true account of two people diagnosed with Asperger's Disease, a type of Autism, who eventually find each other and fall in love. Both Jerry and Mary think they have found true love but life gets in the way and they end up separating. In the end, they do get back together but it seems tenuous. This story was heartbreaking. They both lived truly lonely lives. And just when it seemed they had found another person who could really understand, it was the Asperger's that tended to tear the...more
This was a good book, very detailed account of two individuals with Asperger's Syndrome who marry. This book was much better than the movie because of the specific life details that were shared with the reader. It is impossible to convey specific thoughts in a movie.
An interesting book. This is both a biography and an autobiography from two people with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism). I gained a greater understanding of the challenges and heartaches that people with Asperger's Syndrome face.
This was a sometimes startlingly unhampered window into the daily life of adults with Asperger's. I hope that my perceptions and reactions are forever changed and more understanding and receptive because of reading it.
lOVED IT AND THAT WAS BEFORE i KNEW JERRY ONLINE
sorry about the capslock
I think it illustrates how we can be individuals even with a common diagnosis
Too tired to write a decent review tonight
sorry about the capslock
I think it illustrates how we can be individuals even with a common diagnosis
Too tired to write a decent review tonight
A hint: Mozart and the whale are Halloween costumes.
What an incredible, exhausting, and insightful telling this is, of the story of the relationship between two adults, both of whom have Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. While we all experience quirks and social discomforts once in a while, reading this was educational and helped me understand that relating socially can be quite painful,in a a very different realm for someone with this syndrome. Though there are many manifestations and degr...more
What an incredible, exhausting, and insightful telling this is, of the story of the relationship between two adults, both of whom have Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. While we all experience quirks and social discomforts once in a while, reading this was educational and helped me understand that relating socially can be quite painful,in a a very different realm for someone with this syndrome. Though there are many manifestations and degr...more
I saw the movie first and really identified a lot with the main character so was interested in reading the book to find out more about the couple who inspired the movie. Very compelling read.
Fast, easy read. Sweet and sad. Easy way to learn about autism and Asperger's which seems motre and more common nowadays.
Bottomline people with this diagnosis are simply human, too.
Bottomline people with this diagnosis are simply human, too.
Intressant historia just för att den berättas av Jerry & Mary Newport själva. Ger en bättre inblick och förståelse för människor med Aspergers syndrom.
I enjoyed this book. I actually liked it better than the movie version because it provided more information about the mindset of the couple.
I loved this book! I really appreciated the insights into the thought processes and behaviors of those with Asperger's Syndrome.
I was hoping to see Rachel in the characters of this book, but they were both so different from her (thank goodness!)
Feb 09, 2010
Riah
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those seeking a better understanding of Asperger's syndrome
Shelves:
non-fiction,
scripps-tucson-book-club
It was wonderful to read this book after seeing the not-so-great or accurate (albeit entertaining) movie. It led to fantastic discussion and much learning at our book club. So nice to be able to read an autobiographical account rather than an outsiders' perspective on living, coping, and dealing with regular life situations with a different outlook and expectation. My favorite part of this book and its style is that the neither author compromised who they were or tried to explain or excuse behav...more
another movie -- again have on DVR
I had a cute,dear, friend refer this to me. It was very interesting to hear true-life experiences from this couple with Autism. They were both so vastly different! The Autism spectrum is so wide, you wonder if everyone has what I like to call an "Autistic moment"! That being said, I feel the novels' couple overcame (and are still) more of life's challenges than most people (Autistic or not) I know have had to deal with-myself included. It was an interesting and thought provoking memoir. I need...more
Aug 31, 2011
Manuel Sánchez
added it
I read this in 2011
This was a nice book about people with asperger's. I get to work with people on the spectrum every day that are not nearly as high functioning as the 2 authors. It was amazing to hear from them how they feel about certain situations and why they do what they do. Very interesting.
An honest and sometimes gut-wrenching insight to the lives of people struggling with autism and apsergers syndrome. I was touched by the honest discussion of the feelings of disconnectedness from community and normality, lonliness, and "otherness" these people suffer from. A great resource for educators and parents dealing with special needs children with autism.
Interesting read.
A sweet story of two adults with Asperger's Syndrome who finally found love and understanding with each other. So they lived happily ever after, right? Not in the real world. You'll have to read it to see. An interesting, true-life love story, not just for people interested in Asperger's Syndrome.
Really interesting, although it lost some momentum at the end.
This was a very interesting, nice book. It was a One Book, One Community selection in non-fiction.
It gives a picture of what a person living with Asperger's experiences.
If you have any curiosity on this subject, it may be worth reading.
It gives a picture of what a person living with Asperger's experiences.
If you have any curiosity on this subject, it may be worth reading.
Sep 25, 2007
Rochelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Psychology students or those interested in Aspergers Syndrome.
Currently reading and love it. Two different worlds with 2 graet minds who come together but face life and all its problems with those who have Aspergers... a true love story. I can"t pit it down which can be irritating in the movies...just kidding.
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Jan 25, 2012 01:01pm