Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

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Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

by John Elder Robison (Goodreads Author)

3.76 · rating details · 12,436 ratings · 2,065 reviews

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 ...moreEver 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.(less)

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published September 25th 2007 by Crown

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Lists with This Book

Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison

Best Strange and Twisted Memoirs

5th out of 103 books — 272 voters

Best Memoir / Biography / Auto-biography

51st out of 1,162 books — 1,030 voters

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Community Reviews

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Jan 20, 2008

Tressa rated it

Recommends it for: Aspies and the families and friends who love them

Shelves: aspergers, autobiography

“Look me in the eyes, young man!”
“Nobody trusts a man who won’t look them in the eye.”
“You look like a criminal.”
“I’ve read about people like you. They have no expression because they have no feeling. Some of the worst murderers in history were sociopaths.”

These are just some of the things John Elder Robison heard as a young boy, decades before a friend handed him a book about Asperger’s Syndrome and told him, "This book describes you exactly." Hearing the...more“Look me in the eyes, young man!”
“Nobody trusts a man who won’t look them in the eye.”
“You look like a criminal.”
“I’ve read about people like you. They have no expression because they have no feeling. Some of the worst murderers in history were sociopaths.”

These are just some of the things John Elder Robison heard as a young boy, decades before a friend handed him a book about Asperger’s Syndrome and told him, "This book describes you exactly." Hearing these predictions made Robison withdraw even further as a child as he waited for these awful things to come true. It wasn’t until he was a teenager that he realized he wasn’t going to become a serial killer. By that time he had met enough shifty people who had no trouble looking him in the eye to realize that these people had no idea what they were talking about. Learning that he was not defective and that he was not alone brought great peace to the adult John Elder Robison.

Although Robison was raised by a violent, alcoholic father and an increasingly mentally unstable mother, he was luckier than most Aspergian children at that time in that he was raised in a collegiate environment, where his quirky nature and adult personality were admired by professors and students. He honed his coping skills on college campuses across America. His brother, Augusten Burroughs, chronicled the dysfunction of the Robison family in his popular memoir, Running with Scissors (made into a movie in 2006). Burroughs believes that his brother was able to survive their turbulent childhood by his ability to shut down in traumatic situations.

Robison learned early on how not to answer a question. If a kid said, “Look at my Tonka truck,” instead of blurting out “I want some cookies,” he would force himself to supply the correct response: “That’s a neat truck! Can I hold it?” These skills helped him in his teenage and adult years, and he went on to design speakers for Pink Floyd and flaming guitars for KISS before settling down in the corporate world of designing electronic games for Milton Bradley. Eventually, his expertise in automotives steered him towards his own business of repairing and restoring European automobiles.

Some who are familiar with Aspies might be surprised at the emotion that Robison brings to his story. The chapters “I Get a Bear Cub” and “Winning at Basketball,” and the epilogue about his father’s death are surprisingly touching, breaking through the common robotic barrier of an Aspie. I was especially moved by his perfectly rational reason why Aspies don’t show emotion over tragic events that don’t directly affect them: "People die every minute, all over the world. If we tried to feel sorry for every death, our little hearts would explode." And he’s absolutely right.

Look Me in the Eye is one of the few books on Asperger's Syndrome that is not a dry training manual on the condition. I will always be grateful to Robison for telling his story because someone I'm close to has Asperger's, and I can now see that this person's eccentric way of doing things makes perfectly good sense to him, even if it sometimes doesn't to me.
(less)

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Apr 29, 2008

Lucy rated it

In a day when a cure is expected for nearly every ailment, flaw or disorder, I was struck by John Elder Robinson's assertion that those with Asperger's Syndrome, a neurobiological disorder on the autism spectrum that the author lived with undiagnosed until he was forty, needs no cure - only understanding.

John Elder Robinson starts his story with his earliest memories -a failed attempt to make friends in a sandbox and meanders through his shame at being called a deviant and a psychopa...moreIn a day when a cure is expected for nearly every ailment, flaw or disorder, I was struck by John Elder Robinson's assertion that those with Asperger's Syndrome, a neurobiological disorder on the autism spectrum that the author lived with undiagnosed until he was forty, needs no cure - only understanding.

John Elder Robinson starts his story with his earliest memories -a failed attempt to make friends in a sandbox and meanders through his shame at being called a deviant and a psychopath because he avoided eye contact (although his explanation about how he still doesn't understand most people's need to stare at somebody's eyeball while speaking to them is hilarious), leaving home in the middle of his teenage years, finding himself as part of the 70s rock scene and creating flaming guitars for KISS, faking his way through a job interview for a position as an engineer and getting it by reading and memorizing books about the subject, his parallel struggle to "be a team player" through out his career, until he finally arrives at understanding and acceptance for both his gifts and oddities.

Although this book contains many fascinating stories that stem from his dysfunctional childhood rather than his Asperger's Syndrome, Robinson's experiences and viewpoint sheds a great deal of light on an "Aspergian's" way of thinking. I have a nephew who has been diagnosed with Asperger's and a brother and sister-in-law who constantly seek balance between his way of seeing things and their own understanding. I found myself asking my sister-in-law the question, "Do you think he needs a cure?" Who is to say? Robinson made clear in his book that while he has learned a great deal about appropriate social responses through trial and error, he still finds them unnatural and really, more to the point, unnecessary. What is normal? How much of life's successes are social? What parts of our own personalities should be fixed? I mean, I can't imagine an enjoyable existence where we are all the same.

But, if Asperger's Syndrome falls on the Autism Spectrum, and we observe those with the kinds of autism that render them completely unable to connect to the outside world, certainly we feel they miss out on opportunities for relationships and meaningful experiences. Certainly we would choose a cure, if there was one to be found. So at what point of the spectrum do we intercede?

These are simply the questions that I had after reading this book. You may or may not have similar kinds. However, if you get a chance to read this illuminating book, you will definitely have a glimpse into a colorful and fascinating life.(less)

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Jul 07, 2008

Celeste rated it

Recommends it for: people dealing with autism

Shelves: readinthepast, 2008

I bought this book on a whim (so that my order would get free shipping from Amazon.com). I was quickly horrified to learn that the author is the real-life brother of Augusten Burroughs, author of Running with Scissors. I did not enjoy that memoir at all. Go read my review of it so see what exactly I hated, if you're so curious. But I decided that I would try not to hold Robison's family against him and read his book.

I have to admit, given my son's placement on the autism spectrum...more

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Nov 08, 2007

Kimberly rated it

Shelves: autism

very funny book! describes bits and pieces of Asperger's, but it is not a book about Asperger's. It is a very funny life story of someone who understands that there are social mores, but has to eventually learn to do them and even as an adult remind himself to follow them. I say that it is funny because he is very light hearted about his trials and tribulations.
One thing he mentions about asperger's is the autistic spectrum, and that with his strong memories of himself as a child, he stron...more

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Mar 13, 2011

Matthew rated it

I became interested in this book after watching an episode of “America’s Next Top Model.” The new season features a woman with Asperger’s disease. Her name is Heather. She’s really hot and…whatever.

This book was written by a guy who has grown up with the disease. His brother is a well-known author. And this guy like fixes car motors or something. He’s like a mechanic now…I think, but not that there is anything wrong with that. He just can’t handle people. He’s more comforta...more

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Dec 10, 2008

Anastacia rated it

Recommends it for: No one.

I am interested in the Asperger's continuum, so when I heard about this memoir - written by Augusten Burroughs's brother - I added it to my Amazon wish list. The title leads one to believe that the book is about the author's life with Asperger's, but that's a little misleading. The book is about his life in general and very little is devoted to how Asperger's influenced his life at all ages. I wanted to read a memoir about growing up within a dysfunctional family and also having a condition t...more

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Sep 12, 2007

Emily rated it

This is one of the best books I've read all year - and the cover is fantastic too. I've been reading the author's blog (jerobison.blogspot.com) and find myself wanting to read the book again. It's really one guy's story about trying to get through life - but he happens to be Augusten Burrough's brother, he worked for KISS for several years and he has Asperger's - well-written, clever and funny in so many ways.

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May 07, 2008

Maya rated it

Shelves: memoir-2008

I was just saying the other day that it's interesting to read the family connection between John Elder Robison and his more well-known writing sibling; you can see a literary resemblance between John and his brother. Reading this book is like reading Augusten, if Augusten had Asperger's, if that makes any sense.

Aside from being highly entertaining in its own right as a memoir, I found this highly educational as an inside glimpse into the mind of someone with Asperger's. The most st...more

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Oct 16, 2010

Osho rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, autism-aspergers, memoir-biography

It's fascinating to read this memoir by Augusten Burroughs's older brother. Both this book and Burroughs's A Wolf at the Table have an emotional focus on their father, and it's engrossing to compare their perspectives by reading these synchronic narratives. Robison's father is sometimes frightening but also pathetic, whereas Burroughs, the younger, experienced him more consistently as terrifying.

Robison's writing is generally clear and coherent. Though there are occasional Aspy foray...more

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Sep 19, 2011

Patricia Puddle rated it

Shelves: recomendations, inspirations-books, y-a, autobiographies

I loved this book. It's the true story of a boy named John Robison's struggle to connect with people. He wonders why he isn't like other kids and why they don't hang around with him. When he's a teenager, he is always dismantling things like radios and burying his little brother in holes in the ground. All this has him looked upon as weirdo. His mother speaks to light fixtures and his farther is always drunk in the evenings, so John's only friends seem to be the machines he tinkers with - least...more

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Oct 07, 2007

Lara rated it

This was an excellent book. Although there were a few slow chapters, most of the time I was either laughing out loud or fascinated by his unique thought process. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, but especially those who have read "running with scissors" by the author's brother Augusten Burroughs.

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Sep 23, 2010

Reese rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: via-goodreads

Before I read John Elder Robison's LOOK ME IN THE EYE: MY LIFE WITH ASPERGER'S, I knew enough about the syndrome and about my brother to mentally peel off the Asperger's label that my mother stuck on my late brother. Nevertheless, I wanted access to the interior of someone with Asperger's. Yes, I was well aware of the fact that it's not a "one-size-fits-all" syndrome and that looking at people and experiences through Robison's eyes wouldn't enable me to prove the unprovable. Having no ...more

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Mar 03, 2009

Bells rated it

Shelves: memo-auto-bio

I really enjoyed this book. Several times I laughed out loud, and then was stumped how to answer my son's question, "What's so funny, Momma?"

"Well, son, he sent a blow up doll to his crappy teacher."
Or:
"You see, Sam, he shot a snake that was slithering around outside his hotel room."

No, none of those would do.

While I loved reading the many misadventures of Robison, I also felt a great deal of sorrow; for his troubled c...more

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Nov 07, 2007

Helena rated it

Haven't read Augusten Burroughs' books so didn't feel a connection on that level.

Sorry the author had a crappy childhood (like a lot of kids w/alcoholic parents) and that he had a tough time socially (like a lot of kids) but this guy has had a way more successful life than almost anyone I know ...

Not 1 but 3 amazingly successful lucrative careers, not 1 but 2 deep and meaningful long-term relationships, a great kid, a beautiful house ...

Am I supposed to fee...more

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Dec 08, 2008

Lynda Austin rated it

This book was fascinating! All through reading it, I kept comparing the author's experiences with how my brother was in childhood and is now in adulthood. I saw so many similarities I had to tell my parents to read it. They promptly bought the book it sounded so intriguing. After reading it, they passed it on to the brother I referred to previously. He started it, didn't care to finish-refered to Robison as "kind of an a--hole, didn't you think?" You know that phrase about when one fin...more

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Jan 27, 2011

Jeremy rated it

I should not have read the foreword to this book, which was written by Augusten Burroughs. I hated the movie Running with Scissors, though I have to confess I haven’t read the book. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt, but I have an automatic negative reaction to Augusten Burroughs based on that movie (and a quick look at the book reviews on Goodreads indicates I’m probably not the only one). So, this book is by Burrough’s older brother (their last names are different because August...moreI should not have read the foreword to this book, which was written by Augusten Burroughs. I hated the movie Running with Scissors, though I have to confess I haven’t read the book. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt, but I have an automatic negative reaction to Augusten Burroughs based on that movie (and a quick look at the book reviews on Goodreads indicates I’m probably not the only one). So, this book is by Burrough’s older brother (their last names are different because Augusten changed his whole name) and was still very enjoyable to me, despite the association.

A significant portion of the book is about the author’s life in general and not about his Asperger’s specifically. I think there’s a good balance, though, for the casual reader as well as those interested in learning more about autism.

For me the take-home message was that those with autism feel the same emotions we feel, even if they express them differently, or don’t express them at all. The author put this much more eloquently than I just did (see the quotes below).

Quotes:

My conversational difficulties highlight a problem Aspergians face every day. A person with an obvious disability – for example, someone in a wheelchair – is treated compassionately because his handicap is obvious. No one turns to a guy in a wheelchair and says, “Quick! Let’s run across the street!” And when he can’t run across the street, no one says, “What’s his problem?” They offer to help him across the street. With me, though, there is no external sign that I am conversationally handicapped. So folks hear some conversational misstep and say, “What an arrogant jerk!” I look forward to the day when my handicap will afford me the same respect accorded to a guy in a wheelchair.

Many descriptions of autism and Asperger’s describe people like me as “not wanting contact with others” or “preferring to play alone.” I can’t speak for other kids, but I’d like to be very clear about my own feelings: I did not ever want to be alone.

What I do know is that all of us have far more in common than we realize… I may look and act pretty strange at times, but deep down I just want to be loved and understood for who and what I am. I want to be accepted as part of society, not an outcast or an outsider. I don’t want to be a genius or a freak or something on display. I wish for empathy and compassion from those around me, and I appreciate sincerity, clarity, and logicality in other people. I believe most people – autistic or not – share this wish.(less)

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Oct 21, 2008

Homeschoolmama rated it

Recommends it for: people who have AS, people who love them and professionals who work with/help Aspies

I finished this book last week. At first I wasn't sure I'd like the book, b/c I wasn't sure I liked the author! He described a lot of what I considered to be mean spirited pranks he'd play on people, including on his little brother- who was going through his own trials and tribulations. . .Then as I read on I got to truly appreciate and admire this remarkable man. He tells a great story, honestly sharing his struggles and joys. I was relieved in many parts of the book, to learn that he was able ...more

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Jul 31, 2008

Paula rated it

Recommended to Paula by: Janer Hardy

A friend recommended this to me as I was considering whether someone close to me may be Aspergian (the term JE Robison used throughout the book). I may not have arrived at an answer ("diagnosis") but it was a well written memoir of an unusual man raised in an extraordinary family.

His brother wrote an autobiography which hit the big time: Augusten Burrough's "Running With Scissors". (Burroughs is a pen name for Chris Robison.) But John Elder's life was decided...more

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Jul 09, 2008

Nolatari rated it

Asperger’s Syndrome is virtually unknown to most people, and up until three years ago, it was to me, as well. But then my nephew began exhibiting signs of Asperger’s, and with his challenges I was compelled to begin reading all I could to understand how he thinks and how I can develop the best relationship with him. For the most part, books about Asperger’s are clinical in nature, which is helpful to a point but doesn’t really tell me how it feels. I ran across a couple of titles written by chil...moreAsperger’s Syndrome is virtually unknown to most people, and up until three years ago, it was to me, as well. But then my nephew began exhibiting signs of Asperger’s, and with his challenges I was compelled to begin reading all I could to understand how he thinks and how I can develop the best relationship with him. For the most part, books about Asperger’s are clinical in nature, which is helpful to a point but doesn’t really tell me how it feels. I ran across a couple of titles written by children and teenagers who have been living with the Syndrome, but have had little luck finding them in the library or discount book stores. And then this book came to my attention.

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s is the story of one man’s life and how he came to find a “name” for all that he had struggled to understand in himself as he grew from childhood to middle age. The author, Robison, is actually the brother of Augusten Burroughs, but this biography speaks little of the famous younger brother — Robison was virtually grown by the time Burroughs’s life story was playing out — and focuses fully on Robison’s fascinating life experiences. After leaving home at the age of 16, he ambled his way into a life on the road with Pink Floyd’s sound company and later with the rock band KISS. He found himself working as a designer for a major toy manufacturer, and then eventually dropped completely out of the corporate world to restore cars in his garage. Success found him there, as well. Despite Robison’s achievements, he struggled with the aspects of his personality that didn’t seem to fit in “normal” society. Conversations didn’t follow a logical path. Thoughts in his own head didn’t fit with what he was seeing and hearing around him. Relationships didn’t come easy. And then a therapist friend shared his knowledge of Asperger’s, and suddenly Robison began to understand.

Look Me in the Eye was insightful in many areas, most especially regarding conversations, and Robison’s life was interesting enough to keep me engaged to the end of the book. I do understand a little better the ways my nephew may be seeing the world and people around him, and for that I’m thankful to have read this book. Robison’s childhood experiences were more humorous (or sad) than they were helpful to me, and I believe that comes from his not knowing of Asperger’s while in the midst of childhood situations. The hindsight is helpful to a degree, but certainly not to the extent I was hoping to find here. All in all, the book is more an interesting biography than a great light shone on the challenging disorder, though it is highly valuable for simply introducing the oblivious public to this misunderstood disorder of the Autism Spectrum. And that’s where the real value lies.(less)

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Sep 15, 2008

Rachel rated it

Recommended to Rachel by: Emily Liebling

This was such a fascinating book - the author has Aspergers, and this autobiography offers great insight into the way his mind(and those of other Aspergians)works and processes things. For example, he attemps to explain why he might react with a smile when told that someone has died. He also goes into detail about his expertise on niche subjects, his startling intelligence, and he gives us an idea of why his brain might work that way, and how it has both evolved and devolved over the years. ...more

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Apr 07, 2008

Terry rated it

Shelves: non-fiction, education, memoir

Hmm, it's hard to write this review because I don't want to sound mean-spirited at any point. I did enjoy this book quite a lot, although sometimes I wasn't sure if he was being funny/sarcastic or completely serious. (I tend to think the latter.) I worked exclusivly with an adolescent with Asperger's for about six months and it was an exhausting experience. While Robinson insists he has feelings (and they can be hurt) (which is a good thing to remind people without experience with autism spectru...more

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May 18, 2008

Natalie rated it

Recommends it for: anyone whom marches to the beat of a different drummer

Shelves: nonfiction-not-politcs, education

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. John Elder's mother taught him that to make friends with dogs, he needed to pet the dog softly and pat it's head. It worked. SO when he wanted to make friends with a girl at school he walked up to her and patted her head petting it softly. This social approach did not work for the girl!

John Elder refuses to look his parents or teachers in the eye. John Elder struggles to make friends. John Elder does not understand social protocol. John Elder obsesses about trucks and porsches. John ...moreJohn Elder's mother taught him that to make friends with dogs, he needed to pet the dog softly and pat it's head. It worked. SO when he wanted to make friends with a girl at school he walked up to her and patted her head petting it softly. This social approach did not work for the girl!

John Elder refuses to look his parents or teachers in the eye. John Elder struggles to make friends. John Elder does not understand social protocol. John Elder obsesses about trucks and porsches. John Elder remains VERY uncomfortable with change. John Elder takes everything said very literally. People think John Elder shows the wrong emotions at the wrong time. What is wrong with this little boy, John Elder?

The answer is clearly, nothing. Nothing is wrong with him! He has Asperger's. John explains that Asperger's isn't a disorder. It's just a way of being. Asperger's, on one end of the autism spectrum affects children who are average or above average intelligence. In John's case he is above average in the areas of math, or when it involves the workings of electronics, and automobiles.

He talked about his loneliness and his immense desire to make friends. He explained his intricate way of thinking and how socially inept his thinking proved. "The worst of it was, my teachers and most other people saw my behavior as bad when I was actually trying to be kind."

Since I work with children, the first few chapters about his life as a young child intrigued me. Feeling rejected by people, he turns to machines, because machines never reject him. From his childhood truck, "Chippy" to his magnificent talent taking apart appliances and putting them back together in better working order and design, he finds machines very easy to understand.

As his life goes on, he does figure some things out and experiences a lot of success, despite the fact that his mom goes crazy and his father acquires an alcohol problem. He begins to realize the difference between trying to make friends with a young child, as opposed to a young puppy. He even realizes why some people don't understand his responses to his questions and perfects his ability to hold conversations with other children.

His life continues and he experiences what I consider a wild ride in adult life mixed with success, failures, strange events, and disappointments, --you know what all of us has. Until he settles down, to what others would see as normalcy.

He never quite understands why he seems so different. Until he turns 40 and a psychiatrist friend alerts him to Asperger's. He wishes he would have known at an earlier age, but remains happy to finally know, there are other people who think like him.(less)

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Feb 23, 2008

Steven rated it

I've been looking for a book like this since summer when my 10-year-old was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. I was confused about what his future prospects were. What could I expect? Would he be living with me the rest of his life? Could he be productive in society? Since that time I have heard of other Aspergians who have been successful to varying degrees but have never talked to one about their experiences. "Look me in the eye" gives that viewpoint in rich detail from a man who n...more

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Dec 01, 2007

Julia rated it

This was a really good book. I almost wrote great, but it's not quite in the same league as The Bell Jar. His writing style was very likeable, and it was insightful to get a better understanding of what Asperger's is like from an insider. He wrote it in such a relatable way that I half-wondered if I had Asperger's or a touch of it.

His ongoing, in-depth explanation about being baffled by social interactions, sarcasm, and other social nuances and subtleties fascinated me. I was ama...more

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Oct 10, 2007

RJ McGill rated it

Recommends it for: non fiction lovers

Shelves: reviewed

An intimate and detailed emotional journey, 'look me in the eye', is a well written, compassionate, deeply moving story that will have the reader laughing out loud on one page and on the verge of tears the next. Robison reveals what life was like growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father and his mentally ill mother. As a result of his inability to communicate appropriately, blurting out non sequiturs, and several other socially unacceptable behaviors, he was labeled a deviant. He found comfor...more

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Jun 04, 2008

Alex rated it

Shelves: autobiography

So far, so good. He doesn't have the brilliant flare that his brother has, but he definitely has a great story to tell and tells it pretty well.

While I know I don't have Asperger's, alot of the things he said struck home with me--I dislike looking people in the eyes, especially strangers, though I know I need to so I force myself. I definitely don't have the intense concentration that Aspergians have.

I think has a stand alone book this might be interesting for people wh...more

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Oct 26, 2007

Arthur rated it

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I can certainly appreciate it even moreso as a person who is very close with someone who has Asperger's Syndrome, which has only come to light in the past 10 years. Robinson's book invokes both fear and happiness from the reader, and reminds us that people who have Asperger's, while facing a tremendous amount of difficulty to "fit in" like the rest of us, are not powerless. The book paints a very good picture of what goes through an Aspergian min...more

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Mar 06, 2009

Maren rated it

First, let me state what I liked about this book: I appreciated the authors direct approach, his sense of humor, and his excellent writing. However, I have to say that as a person who is on the other end of from autism (dumb, but empathetic), I recoiled at times at some of the tricks he played as a child, ones that seemed hurtful to me. Not a matter of blame mind you, just a flinch. Perhaps that says a lot about who I am, but there it is... :)

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Jul 31, 2008

Mia Lucia Manifold rated it

A good book to read if one wants to develop an understanding of how Aspergers can complicate a life ,and how a person can learn to overcome the difficulties it brings to life and take advantage of aspects of the condition that enable a person to focus on somethings very well. The story is complicated by the fact that the author did not just grow up with the challenge of Aspbergers but in a highly dysfunctional family. It also reaffirms the idea that high IQ individuals do not have to pursue a ...more

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Jan 28, 2009

Sarah Jane rated it

Shelves: memoir-slash-biography, non-fiction

I was expecting this memoir to be an astonishing insight into Asperger's syndrome, a glimpse into the mind of the author. Instead, what I got was a bunch of semi-interesting stories about this dude's life, with the Asperger's aspect as almost an afterthought. Other reviews I've read have called Robison a "born storyteller" but I personally didn't find this to be all that engrossing. You'd think that one would be able to make touring with Kiss into a enjoyable story...but the writing wa...more

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About John Elder Robison

I was born in rural Georgia in 1957. I was kind of a misfit growing up. In fact, the bigger I got, the more misfit I became. At age 8, I got a little brother, and he was a misfit too. I dropped out of school in 10th grade, and never looked back. My brother dropped out a few years later, following in my footsteps.

I've had a number of careers . . . I designed sound systems for disco...more

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/454856.Look_Me_in_the_Eye?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320509615m/454856.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/454856.Look_Me_in_the_Eye?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison[/url]

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

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