Look Me in the Eye: My Life With Asperger's

BOOK NAME: Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

AUTHOR NAME: John Elder Robison

Look Me in the Eye is an amazing novel describing the life of a boy struggling from asperger's syndrome. This was my first time reading a book on a topic like this, and I would definitely recommend it to people who are interested in the human mind. I decided to read this book for that reason, to read a story that describes life through a human mind that is not quite like your own. The book is written entirely from the memories and thoughts of John Elder Robison. His humor matches perfectly with each situation he describes, and his reflections are incredibly thoughful. The book was written to express John's story in a way that no one had understood or thought about before. I encourage everyone to read his story.

Above is the cover of Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison. The boy on the cover represents John as a kid, not being able to look someone directly in the eye. The cover itself gives the reader a brief idea of what and whom the story will be about.

Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison is a true coming of age story. The beginning of the book
is such a contrast to the end of the book, that you wouldn't think that it was the same boy throughout the story. Yes, his autism fades away, but his memories and stories do not. The first chapter of the book begins the story with John as a toddler, playing in a yard with his classmates. In this scene he tries to make a friend by stealing other kids' toy trucks and patting their heads. John Elder had longed to connect and create relationships with other people, however he found that the people whom he tried to connect with did not want so longingly to connect with him.

The asperger's syndrome was not widely known or even talked about during the 1970s and 80s. John Elder Robison was growing up in a time in which the nation had not yet grasped the ideas and meaning of what it means to be diagnosed with asperger's, in fact, John Elder himslef had not known. As a child, his family and friends who had grown up with him knew something was different about him.

Many who are diagnosed with asperger's syndrome show a particular interest in a specific topic or activity. For example, an aspergian may have an intense interest in the structure of plant cells. In Look Me in the Eye, John Elder had an instense interest in dismantling radios and fixing his old car. Both of these interests John Elder pursues when he is older, except the radios turned into sound systems and his old car became the cars of other people. John Elder became incredibly succecful and discovered things he had not known about himself before. His particular childhood interests morphed into well paying jobs.


John Elder Robison is an amazing author and person. He grasped in detail what it is like to lack important social skills, as well as an understanding of emotions and the people around you. John Elder not only tells readers about his problems relating to his autism, but also his family life and career. His story is an influential and important story to read about and I think every one should take some time to buy, borrow, or lend the book.


If you are interested in other books or more information about John Elder Robison, look at his website here: John Elder Robison's Website