Task #13: A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse

[Lauraellen]

Re Fangirl, isn't Levi dyslexic? Not the main character, but that is what I would assume they are referring to.

[Laura]

Azrah wrote: "Driftwood wrote: "Ariel wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Fangirl is on the GR shelf list for neurodiverse (https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...). From the description it's not e..."

Having read Fangirl, I would say that it does not have a primary neurodivergent character. The main character is really, really, really passionate about her fandom -- maybe that's why someone put it on the list? But while many neurodivergent people have very passionate, intense interests, not all people who have them are neurodivergent. :)

[Judith]

I shall probably go for something by the naturalist Chris Packham, who has Asperger's and body dysmorphism. Might go with his memoir "Fingers In The Sparkle Jar".

[Méliane]

Laura wrote: "Azrah wrote: "Driftwood wrote: "Ariel wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Fangirl is on the GR shelf list for neurodiverse (https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...). From the descript..."

I think that it's on the list because of the MC's anxiety. Depending on how you define neurodivergence most MIs are included.

[Kendra]

I would suggest Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. Murata never "diagnoses" the main character, but that is one of the important themes of the novella. When I taught this book in my freshman undergrad literature course, several of my students who identify as neurodiverse commented on the way in which they not only identified with the protagonist, but also appreciated the way Murata refused to treat her personality and character traits as an "illness" or as a disability. I had enjoyed the novella when I read it on my own, but after having this extended discussion with my students over two class periods, I came away feeling that this was one of the most transformative and enlightening moments I've had as a teacher, thanks to my students who were willing to speak openly about their relative experiences.
I've also written a short review, if you're interested, here

[Melody]

Ava wrote: "Kate wrote: "Thanks for the clarification, all. I have read a good amount of the serious, autism-focused juvenile fiction that's come out in the last few years (it happens when you're a children's ..."

My 5 and 9 year olds loved The Boy Named Bat, which has a neurodiverse main character- we listened to the audiobook. George would be great for the non-binary prompt for a 9 year old.

[Melody]

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine would work. As would Ginny Moon. Both were very good.

[Cendaquenta]

Melody wrote: "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine would work. As would Ginny Moon. Both were very good."

I don't think Eleanor Oliphant would - correct me if I'm wrong but Eleanor doesn't explicitly identify as anything, the text doesn't state a diagnosis, and as far as I know the author is neurotypical.

(And in my opinion the novel came across almost aggressively neurotypical-trying-to-write-a-neurodivergent. Like ho boy I haven't seen that kind of tone since "Curious Incident".)

[Bonnie G.]

Cendaquenta wrote: "Melody wrote: "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine would work. As would Ginny Moon. Both were very good."

I don't think Eleanor Oliphant would - correct me if I'm wrong but Eleanor doesn't explici..."

I completely agree with all of this. I was incensed that people kept identifying Eleanor as having and ASD when she pretty clearly did not. PTSD for sure, but mostly just quirky and unpleasant. (Confession, I did not much like the book.)

[Melody]

Cendaquenta wrote: "Melody wrote: "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine would work. As would Ginny Moon. Both were very good."

I don't think Eleanor Oliphant would - correct me if I'm wrong but Eleanor doesn't explici..."

Fair enough. I didn't experience Eleanor that way, but I hear what your are saying. I suppose "identifies as..." makes the prompt a bit harder, because often a neurodiverse character doesn't explicitly identify as such in the text.

[Stephanie]

Julia wrote: "I was thinking about Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi because the main character develops separate selves.. Would that count?"

This book would qualify for prompt #18 as well. I read that the author identifies as nonbinary.

[Bonnie G.]

Stephanie wrote: "Julia wrote: "I was thinking about Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi because the main character develops separate selves.. Would that count?"

This book would qualify for prompt #18 as well. I read that ..."

Oooh, thanks, I am going to use it for 18 for sure. It looks amazing.

[Kate]

Ava wrote: "Kate wrote: "Thanks for the clarification, all. I have read a good amount of the serious, autism-focused juvenile fiction that's come out in the last few years (it happens when you're a children's ..."

All of the ones already suggested are great, and I also loved Rain Reign! Bonus: it is about a dog. That's always a bonus for me :)

[Stina]

The easy answer for me is to read something by Temple Grandin. That will also tick off any "local author" challenge boxes I may come across. But I'm open to going with something different.

[Jenny]

I'm just wondering whether we can use books by authors that were neurodiverse and identified as one or other of the conditions under the unbrella but at a time that it wouldn't have been a term they'd have used? Sylvia Plath, for example?

[Therese]

Shelley wrote: "Fangirl is on the GR shelf list for neurodiverse (https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...). From the description it's not explicit although it seems like the main characte..."

Thank you so much. I was thrilled to see that I have a book on this list, one that I have been wanting to read for a while. Those lists are so helpful.

[Stephen]

I just found this (pretty comprehensive) list of speculative fiction with autistic spectrum authors and/or autistic characters (not necessarily main characters, though).

http://www.ada-hoffmann.com/autistic-book-list/

It was put together by Ada Hoffman, an author with Aspergers, whose first novel, The Outsider (not in goodreads yet) with an autistic main character is coming out in June 2019

[Brandyn]

Laura wrote: "Azrah wrote: "Driftwood wrote: "Ariel wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Fangirl is on the GR shelf list for neurodiverse (https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...). From the descript..."

I wouldn't be surprised if Cath could have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and just hadn't been.

Depends on how you interpret the prompt, but if I hadn't read it I'd probably count it. The prompt also doesn't say it has to be the main character and between Cather's dad and Levi there's lots of neurodiverse representation.

[Bonnie G.]

Thank you Stephen; Ada Hoffman's list is very good

[Paula]

I think I'm going to read the The Kiss Quotient. I've read The Rosie Project and On the Edge of Gone both work for this category and are really great reads. The Edge of Gone is also an #ownvoices novel. Ava, this book may work for you if you don't mind your daughter reading YA stuff. It don't really have much romance. It's more about the familial relations and the possible end of the world.

[Jess]

I loved The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, and her next book The Bride Test comes out in April, so I’m planning on reading that. I believe the main character is also on the autism spectrum.

[Tiffany]

Julia wrote: "I was thinking about Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi because the main character develops separate selves.. Would that count?"

I came here to recommend it, so I'd say yes, since she has DID.

[Inger]

I wonder if Flowers for Algernon qualifies for this. Charlie starts off with some sort of severe mental disability, which certainly isn't neurotypical.

[Susanne]

Hope wrote: "Does Turtles All the Way Down work?"

I think it does, I've seen anxiety and OCD on some lists of neurodiversity.

[Yrinsyde]

Neurodiverse isn't a recognised medical term but it is growing in acceptance. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... Mental illness isn't part of this group at the moment. The conditions that could be according to the Medical Subject Headings of Medline are:

Anxiety, Separation
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Conduct Disorder
Child Behavior Disorders
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Autism Spectrum Disorder +
Communication Disorders
Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder
Social Communication Disorder
Speech Sound Disorder
Developmental Disabilities
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disorders
Dyscalculia
Dyslexia +
Specific Learning Disorder
Motor Skills Disorders
Mutism
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Schizophrenia, Childhood
Stereotypic Movement Disorder
Tic Disorders
Tourette Syndrome

[ekr]

To me, there's a big difference between "identifying as neurodiverse" and having/being rumored to have had a condition that falls under the umbrella of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is a movement and a point of view, not just an assortment of disorders.

I'm going to start by looking at the books published by Aut Press, a press that publishes books by and about neurodiverse/neuroqueer folks.

[Bonnie G.]

Well said, Rae. For yhose who want yo tead traditional popular authors. John Irving and Richard Ford Identify as neurodiverse. Irving also identifies as bisexual/genderqueer

[Arlene]

Any of Chuck Tingle's books would work, I particularly enjoyedEngland's Ass Is Haunted By A Hung Parliament

[Bonnie G.]

Chuck Tingle is neurodiverse? I had no idea. His titles are hilarious. And I believe he self publishes.

[Bobby]

For this challenge I’m thinking of going with The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales, by Oliver Sacks.

[Teresa]

The Gauguin Connection
Rain Reign

[Arlene]

Bonnie wrote: "Chuck Tingle is neurodiverse? I had no idea. His titles are hilarious. And I believe he self publishes."
Yeah I saw an interview with his son who describes him as an "autistic savant", I believe he also has schizophrenia.
Shappi Khorsandi would also qualify for this (she has ADHD), Nina is Not OK is a fantastic novel.

[Bonnie G.]

Maybe I will actually read Chuck Tingle beyond the hilarious titles! Thanks so much for this info.

[Tracy]

if tourettes syndrome counts than an option for middle grade mom/daughter read might be Forget Me Not. This book is also written in verse, so would be a different format to try out.

[Bonnie G.]

Just recalled one of my favorite books qualifies. The MC in Motherless Brooklyn has Tourette's. It is a fantastic book.

[Sara]

rae wrote: "To me, there's a big difference between "identifying as neurodiverse" and having/being rumored to have had a condition that falls under the umbrella of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is a movement ..."

I agree - I wish there was some clarity on whether the author/character sees themselves as neurodiverse or if they just have a condition that is under the umbrella of neurodiversity. "Identifies" is the key word here, and it's tripping me up.

[Pia]

Oh so that's what it is. I read The Speed of Sound this year and it falls into this category. Some people might be interested in checking this book out.

[Fern]

- ‘Odd Girl Out’ by Laura James is an autistic writer writing about her life (very interesting).
- ‘The State of Grace’ by Rachel Lucas is a YA novel where the main character is autistic and the author is also autistic.
- ‘All the Weight of Our Dreams’ is a published anthology of work by autistic authors of colour.
- Anything by Sarah Hendrixx, Robyn Stewart, Luke Bearsden or Donna Williams- all autistic writers.
- Daniel Tamnet is an autistic author with synesthasia and also a savant. He wrote ‘Born on a Blue Day’ and ‘Every Word is a Bird we Teach to Sing’.
- ‘Fall Down Seven Times Stand Up Eight’ by Naoki Higashida and translated by David Mitchell is a fantastic read. Higashida is autistic and nonverbal and writes about his life. A really good book for breaking down stereotypes about autism. Probably the book I would personally recommend the most.
- Neurotribes by Steve Silberman is another really good read. He looks at the history and future of autism.
- Anthropologist, Richard Roy Grinker’s book ‘Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism’ explores different cultural perceptions of autism.
- Also if going by authors who were probably neurodiverse Emily Bronte is often considered as probably someone who would be diagnosed as autistic today.

[Rebecca]

explicitly about Aspergers by self-ID'd author, is Jon Elder Robinson, Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

[Laura]

Fern, your list is really great! Thanks for all the thoughtful recommendations.

[Sarah]

I am going to do Turtles all the Way Down. I love John Green!

[Stephanie]

Shelley wrote: "Fangirl is on the GR shelf list for neurodiverse (https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...). From the description it's not explicit although it seems like the main characte..."

In Fangirl, it would Kat's father and/or Levi that are the neurodiverse character. From what I recall, I believe her father is bipolar. He spirals down and ends up in the hospital. Levi is dyslexic, and it provides a pivotal moment for Levi and Kat. For Westing Game, I have not read that for a number of years, so I do not recall it exactly.

[Audra]

Bonnie wrote: "Sorry. Confused it with the trans or nonbinary prompt. Ignore me!"

LOVE both of these and they absolutely count!

[Julie]

Seconding the recommendations for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. I just re-read it for a book club and fell back in love with it.

[Saluka]

Cendaquenta wrote: "The Eagle Tree is about a 14-year-old autistic boy. I am not sure whether the author is neurodivergent/neurodiverse. However it comes recommended by Steve Silberman who is a huge pr..."

I read this and liked it. Thought the main character was handled respectfully. It seemed like the author had insight into the thinking and behaviors of this boy, although I' not certain if he is neurodivergent/neurodiverse.

[Jenn]

I plan on reading Queens of Geek. The author is autistic and I believe the main character is as well.

[Lindsay]

Landwhale by Jes Baker would fit this category.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jes_B...

[Lucia]

Hope wrote: "Does Turtles All the Way Down work?"

Given that John Green has been diagnosed with both depression and OCD, and explicitly wrote the protagonist as having OCD, I'd say it definitely counts!

[Lucia]

rae wrote: "To me, there's a big difference between "identifying as neurodiverse" and having/being rumored to have had a condition that falls under the umbrella of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is a movement ..."

Aut Press sounds awesome!

[Lucia]

Just a note that as an autistic person myself I found The Rosie Project really problematic. It smelt of neurotypical-trying-to-hard-but-not-actually-researching and the whole "love solves mental issues" really rubs me the wrong way. We don't deserve to be loved because of or in spite of our difference, but with it. I didn't actually finish the book because it was annoying me so much.

On a happier note, I'd be happy to recommend absolutely anything by Sally Gardner. She's dyslexic and has an absolutely beautiful turn of phrase. I'd particularly recommend either The Red Necklace or I, Corriander.