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Title: Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's
ISBN: 0307395987
Author:
John Elder Robison
Publicate Date: 2007-09-25
Publish: 2007-09-25
List Price: $25.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $8.93
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $6.36
Amazon Merchant Price: $17.13
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| Customer Review: |
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1: More than just another book about Asperger's
As a huge fan of author Augusten Burroughs (Running With Scissors, Dry, etc.), it wasn't until I met him at an event that I learned his brother John Elder Robison (who is mentioned in his books) also authored a book, so I ordered it immediately. The great thing about Look Me in the Eye is that it works on many levels: yes, it gives great insight into Asperger's, but Robison's balance of seriousness and levity make it an enjoyable read for anyone. Also, unlike many other books on Asperger's, it really emphasizes how folks with Asperger's have deep emotions just like anyone else, though they may not always be apparent on the surface. The book is full of adventure (he tours with the band KISS), and Robison's voice and strong sense of self really draw in the reader.
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2: Great book
I really enjoyed this book. I have Asperger Syndrome, so I identified with a lot of what the author describes. I also know a lot of Aspies (people with Aspergers) who have trouble making eye contact, so this title is spot on. Great book.
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3: Brilliant but often boring...
Look me in the Eye is an interesting read that is engaging at times. I found the earlier portions of the book, in which the author discusses his childhood, to be amusing and enlightening.
The "problem" (if you could call it that) with this book is that Robinson's ability to tell a story about having aspergers is at times frustrated by his aspergers. He seems to work to be self-aware and to provide an honest, reflective narrative, but his style itself is very apparently affected by his aspergers. If you have ever had a conversation with a person who has aspergers and have struggled to make sense of his frequent non-sequiters and his painfully technical descriptions of his interests, then you know what it is like to read parts of this book. The technical explanations of sound waves and pranks can be engaging at first and then become somewhat tedious to read. I think this book rather brilliantly captures what it means to think like an aspergian and gives the reader a unique insight into this man's life. Robinson's writing feels beautifully authentic, but because he tells the story through his aspergers it can be a rather trying read at times.
If you are a reader who can appreciate stylistic nuance and who can take pleasure in books that challenge you to understand how language and form complement the underlying story, I think this is an enlightening read. However, if you are a reader who values storytelling and emotion, this may not be the kind of book that you will appreciate. In my opinion, you can learn more about aspergers from thinking about the way that he tells his story and by focusing on the style and language, than you can from simply piecing together the plot. This makes it an excellent piece of work, but sometimes a rather unexciting read.
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4: Read my Mind
Look Me in the Eye is the kind of book that if you know anyone on the autistic or ADD spectrum you will have trouble putting it down before you've completely finished the book. The details are compelling; and John articulates his experience in a way that many of parents, friends and people with Asperger's cannot. His book, much like the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, are good purchases for anyone trying to educated someone about having a family member with Asperger's.
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5: A review from the perspective of someone who actually has AS.
Asperger syndrome, along with autism itself, is the latest mystery in the psychological world, hatched only a few years ago. Many of the reviewers for this problem, when talking about this product, when it comes to their experience in AS, they usually say, "I got a son/daughter/cousin/uncle/friend with it."
As an aspie that has been diagnosed for almost ten years, I can tell you that this book, while not a Rosetta Stone for all aspies (or Aspergians, as John calls them,) it is still an interesting peek into our complex lives.
John, who has quite the memory tells us about his life, from his abusive childhood to dropping out to developing smoking guitars for KISS, to finally settling down and getting married, all with a photographic memory that I could only dream about. I can relate to him on many aspects of his life, but some are different. After all, every person is different, no matter what so called 'disability' they have.
The book itself is not a guide to AS, but instead is just a tale from it. I hope one day to write my own tale, as I hope the other aspies do.
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