The Autistic Book Club discussion
This topic is about
A Kind of Spark
What do you think of 'A Kind of Spark'?
date
newest »
newest »
I’m only 1 chapter in, but that chapter was straight up me in school! Every other line I felt going “YES! SOMEONE GETS IT!” That chapter was definitely representative of my school experience. I’m really looking forward to listening to the rest!
This kind of makes me glad social media wasn’t a thing when I was in school. That was at least one layer I didn’t have to deal with at that age, though much of the other relationship situations felt sooo familiar. I’m actually almost having a hard time listening to some of this. Some of it (like scenes with the teacher and adults) brings back some really hard memories that have stuck deeply with me - kind of like how she described how some moments are remembered as clearly as movie scene. I had some teachers that heaven forbid they ever be wrong, even if you could show them in their own text books they were teaching from. I never understood those interactions…I still don’t get it and get mad and want to speak up on behalf of my child self that was docked points because an adult couldn’t admit they’d simply made a mistake on an answer key. Erg.
“I close the page and wish, like how Nina deleted all her comments, that I could delete these from my memory. It’s so confusing. To be too much for some people and not enough for everyone else.”This. So much this. It’s so confusing.all.the.time.
How old (or what grade) is the main character supposed to be?? I didn’t catch it and can’t figure it out from context. Did anyone happen to pick up on her age?
Rachel wrote: "When talking to other Autistics, many of them have read this book and loved it, because of this I am looking forward to reading it! What did you think of it?
It is a YA book, is it still suitabl..."
I'm not done reading yet, but so far I would consider this appropriate (even important) as a YA book. I really wish I'd read something like this back when I was younger. I didn't have a clue what autism was back then - or honestly, even until I was in my 30s. This story has so many similar experiences reflected in it that I think it could be a great book for preteens/teens to hear about autism in a story-based way. It's a medium that could help introduce the topic (and biases about it) in a clear way and help build some understanding/ awareness/ empathy towards peers/siblings who may be autistic - and could help an autistic student know they're not alone with their experiences. Reading this as a teen I know for me would have been world changing.
I think this one will rank up there for me with the middle grade/YA novel The Woman in the Wall, by Patrice Kindl; that was one of the most relevant books I'd ever read when I was school age. It was the first time I saw a character who had similarities to me. I've reread that one so many times, even as an adult. The experience of reading A Kind of Spark has been very similar to the feeling of reading the other book. It's been moving seeing myself so much on the pages of someone else's book.
Once I finish A Kind of Spark, I think I'm actually going to recommend it to my mom. So much of the book has been like someone was writing out my thoughts/fears - so it could be a way to show a window into what growing up was like for me. I'm really glad I'm reading this.
Deneje ‘DJ’ wrote: "How old (or what grade) is the main character supposed to be?? I didn’t catch it and can’t figure it out from context. Did anyone happen to pick up on her age?"never mind. i googled it. she's 11, in case anyone else wanted to know.
The story of their friend Bonnie was so sad. I just cried and cried at that chapter. For years and years before I learned I was autistic, I thought I was literally "crazy"...I used to think that if anyone actually knew HOW I thought or how my brain worked, they would for real lock me up in an institution and never let me back out. This was a deeply rooted fear I carried into adulthood because I knew my brain wasn't like the brain of other people I was around. I used to work so so hard to mask and mirror others I was with so that I wouldn't be found out as Different. When I eventually learned about autism a couple years ago, I remember bawling with the realization I wasn't crazy, I was autistic! And that there were so many other people out there who thought like me! It was so empowering and freeing of a realization: I wasn't alone! I think the author of this book picked a very apt comparison using the old witch trials that many people have already learned about as a parallel for being different nowadays. How, just because we might not be burning witches nowadays, there are new ways society finds to ostracize and exclude people who are deemed different by the vast majority.
Apologies for not responding sooner, I'm a bit overwhelmed with keeping up as the Book Club continues to grow, but I read your posts and I relate! (As I'm sure do so many others.) Thank-you for sharing so honestly and openly; this is what our community thrives on.The depiction of Bonnie was heartbreaking, and to know this is a reality for so many Autistic people, I just don't know how to deal with that. I found Elle McNicoll was able to break down complex situations and render them into a few pages or paragraphs of so powerful text. This is fast becoming one of my favourite books about Autism, written by an Autistic author; Elle really understands.
The description of the witches, their trials and their background was so emotional, their helplessness, how they were misunderstood, I too related to them.
You are not alone in your experience of feeling 'crazy', I too felt like that or 'mental' as my family used to call me. That there was something so wrong with me...
But I am so pleased for you that you found your Autistic identity, you are not alone, there are so very many of us, and you are a valuable part of the Autistic Community! (And I'm glad you found the Book Club too!) xx
I am still reading, haven't finished the book yet...!
Loved it, 10/10, brilliant Autism representation, a must read for Autistic adults, teenagers and those who want to learn about Autism!
First I wanna ask if it's okay to participate on Goodreads way after the reading date is up? Cuz I have zero motivation to read until like the last 3 days and I can never pick the book up in time... I don't expect anyone to respond, I just wanna throw my thoughts to the void Anyway, I loved A Kind of Spark. It was so simply written, so easy to read. The way the author described certain experiences like her meltdown at the end was sincere, relatable, and well-written. Sometimes it's hard to put into words how it feels being autistic, and I think the author did so well.
The bit when they're on the way to the final town meeting really got me. There's someone in my life (possibly ND, but not positive) who is so assured of themselves, rightfully so most of the time, and they can't begin to fathom why or how I always second guess myself. But it's really nice to know I'm not alone trying to live in a world that doesn't make sense.
(Gonna quote the bit because I can't summarize--also spoilers I guess? From chapter 19)
(view spoiler)
I personally think it's a good idea to still be able to participate after the reading date. We all move at our own speeds. :0)
Absolutely, we are not bound by time! Feel free to discuss any of the books we’ve read, and thank-you for raising this, great idea!
And I will always respond; I check all DM’s and comments, but there are a lot, so it might take me a day or two to answer. (Instagram gets a lot of messages)
Great! Thanks guys :)
I love A Kind of Spark! Addie and Keedie were definitely me a school.I was diagnosed as autistic last year, well into adulthood, but it would have been nice to know that I'm autistic while I was at Primary and Secondary school. It would have explained why everything was so difficult.
I work with neurodivergent children now and I have bought multiple Elle McNicoll books for my students because it is so important for neurodivergent kids to see themselves as the main characters/heroes of their books.
Reading A Kind of Spark while I was at school would have been life-changing for me. x
I've seen the TV show and the young woman who plays Nina is autistic. According to Elle McNicoll, many of the people who worked on A Kind of Spark are neurodivergent. I love seeing the representation and I'm pleased it's getting lots of positive media attention.
Does anyone recommend? Someone that hurt me in the past is in the show but I would be willing to put that aside and read the book.
I definitely recommend! I loved the book. It’s wholesome and easy to read :)
I might try borrow the book from somewhere then. Thank you :)!
Of course! I got mine from the library which was lovely. The book is way shorter than I thought it would be too, so it's a quick read.
What did you think of it?
It is a YA book, is it still suitable for adults?
Is the representation of Autism accurate?