This is one of those books that has sat on my TBR for years and once I picked it up I could barely put it down.
See my full review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2639159463
This is one of those books that has sat on my TBR for years and once I picked it up I could barely put it down.
See my full review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2639159463
this book is one of my 5/5 🌟 reads this year, so far. i couldn't recommend it enough to everyone, honestly. if you want to read a fricking brilliant book about autism, you gotta pick this piece up!
Second British novel that I know of that explores how it is like to parent a child with autism spectrum disorder, as told from a father's perspective. First one I shared was Keith Stuart's "A Boy Made of Blocks." For our #MentallyYours reading theme at GatheringBooks.org til end of April.
I enjoyed 'Shtum' to a point, I understood why Ben (Jonah's Dad) was so frustrated and worried about Jonah but at times, I just felt he should give himself a break and not see his son as a fight he had to win and see Jonah for who he was (I may be completely wrong and misread the whole story). Jonah's grandfather, Georg is a great character, his relationship with Jonah is so well written.
And with that, I am done. I was so excited for this book, but all I've ended up with is anger at a man that continues to blame his alcoholism and failed work on a child who desperately wants to be loved. This sort of narrative is already too real in our world, and it has led to the murder of too many Autistic individuals. I don't need to be reading a narrative that supports the ideas that lead to those killings.
Rating: DNF
longer review to come.
I was initially interested in Shtum because of description and beautiful cover.
To sum up everything it‘s a great book with well-developed relationships and characters. Ending – superb, nicely finished, could not ask for more. However, be prepared: it will break your heart into a million pieces and it will take one small piece away, so your heart will never be the same.
One of my top reads of the year so far. A MUST read for anyone with an interest in autism, no matter how fleeting. Told from the perspective of a dad whose son is severely autistic, this story packs a punch and a half. Tears and laughter in equal measure. Actually the tears may have won out. Just.
One of those books that brings out a range of emotions and reactions - sadness, anger and laughter - which is very hard to achieve in just over 300 pages - highly recommend, an interesting take on living with autism from someone who knows what they are talking about ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️