Look Me in the Eye

By John Elder Robison

Look Me in the Eye - John Elder Robison
  • Release Date: 2007-09-25
  • Genre: Psychology
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 223 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “As sweet and funny and sad and true and heartfelt a memoir as one could find.” —from the foreword by Augusten Burroughs

Ever since he was young, John Robison 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, Augusten Burroughs, in them)—had earned him the label “social deviant.” It was not until he was forty that he was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome. That understanding transformed the way he saw himself—and the world. A born storyteller, Robison has written a moving, darkly funny memoir about a life that has taken him from developing exploding guitars for KISS to building a family of his own. It’s a strange, sly, indelible account—sometimes alien yet always deeply human.

Reviews

  • Insightful and inspiring.

    4
    By Avis78
    If you have family or friends who are Aspergian, this is totally worth the read. John's stories will really help you "get it". Thanks for your courage, Sir!
  • Look me in the eye

    5
    By Franloe
    I think the author might be different from most of us but he is also smarter and more willing to spend the time learning what he doesn't know. I recommend this book for everyone. We can all learn how to be more accepting of others and look at what they can teach us.
  • Loved it

    5
    By Mamaw28
    What great insight into the mind, thoughts and behaviors of kids with Asperger's. It almost lost me in the middle, but I am very happy I stayed with it!
  • Connection

    5
    By lancelotto475
    As someone who grew up with Aspergers, I knew I was different since forever. My mom recommended this book to me, and I'm glad I read it. Not only was it funny at times and interesting, but it showed me that I wasn't the only one with Aspergers. Really helped me understand myself more.
  • insightful

    5
    By No nicknames left 2 choose
    This book was well-written and offered an "insider's view" of what it's like to grow up with Aspergers. It's an easy read that offers insight into what it's like to be on the Autistic Spectrum. I would recommend this book for family, friends, and educators who might encounter a child or adult with ASD...it just might help you understand why the person says or does the things he/she does. Happy reading!
  • Look Me in the Eye

    5
    By BARBARA STANTON
    Having just discovered that my adult son has Aspergers I have been researching as much as I can. This book was fascinating and enlightening. I took notes and remembered my son's childhood behaviors that should have given me a clue that he was different in a way that has a name. I cry when I think I missed his diagnosis for 26 years. Thank you for giving me insight into this condition. It isn't bad or ugly. It is what it is. I can now look at my son with so much more compassion - I think I love him more now that I know how he's been suffering.
  • Mother

    5
    By LisaSue2
    I am a mother of a nearly 10 year old son who seems destined for membership to the Aspergian clan. This is the first book I've read on the subject, and further clinical research is eminent, but I now feel a bit more prepared for what's to come. The thread of very dry humor (purely accidental I'm sure) allowed me to view the condition more as an experience than as a curse. Thank you John Elder.
  • Awesome

    5
    By RG in RI
    Love his story
  • A Significant Book

    4
    By KathrynGraceVT
    I hesitate to say that I loved the book, even though it's really good. It's unique, funny and poignant. However, his atypical thinking produces somewhat atypical writing that may require a bit more mental flexibility than your standard brain-vacation-type novel. He is a good, solid story-teller with an amazing story to tell, and it was certainly compelling and, in my opinion, important to read. I admire that author putting his own story out there in order to validate all those kids with Aspergers syndrome. Admittedly, sometimes my brain just didn't have the energy to empathize with his notably functional writing. I would certainly recommend it, regardless.
  • Great book

    5
    By GruGrux515
    Good book for anyone wanting to see Aspbergers from the perspective of a person with The diagnosis... The real professionals on the disorder