From Publishers Weekly
Nazeer, a successful British government policy adviser, was diagnosed early on with autism; he now seeks out the fate of four autistic classmates at his former New York City school. He first encountered the "idiots" (as one of them called the group) more than 20 years ago, in an unnamed private school that has subsequently closed. In addition to interviewing the former pupils, all but one (who committed suicide) enjoying varying degrees of success in the greater world, Nazeer also visits the school's former director and special-needs teacher to learn how teaching autistic students has evolved. Considered a neurobiological disorder, autism largely confines a child to his or her own mental world. André, for example, living in Boston with his sister, became a competent computer researcher and manages to mediate the challenges of ordinary conversation through the use of a puppet. Randall, a courier in Chicago, demonstrates how early "parallel" play led to a satisfying love relationship (developing empathy is difficult for the autistic). Craig became an accomplished speechwriter until his awkward social skills derailed him, while Elizabeth immersed herself in playing the piano before withdrawing completely. Nazeer delicately interweaves his own story of being "cured" for an enlightening journey through the unreachable mind.
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Review
'A fascinating read, balancing one's desire for scientific understanding with the author's own remarkable journey' Tim Pears 'It is through Nazeer's frank portrayal of these lives that we come to understand a little better what it is to live with autism' Daily Express 'This remarkable piece of true-life storytelling takes as its theme not disability, but humanity' Independent 'Fascinating not only for its insight into autism but for what it reveals about the way human beings understand the world. Part science, part philosophy and part personal account, Nazeer's triumph is that he balances explanation with human stories in a way that is lucid and, at times, deeply moving' Scotsman
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