There is an odd sense of comfort and camaraderie in knowing that whatever it is that you are going through, you are not alone. There are countless other people, other parents of autistic children, other young autistic adults in the world who are also dealing with similar circumstances. The same sense of comfort can be found in books that deal well with the delicate subject of autism with a well-developed autistic main character.
We’ve rounded up a list of 8 such books for you:
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
This novel by Gail Honeyman is a beautiful, heartwarming, funny and unputdownable account of Eleanor Oliphant’s life. Yes, she struggles in social settings. Yes, she tends to say exactly what’s on her mind. Yes, every minute of her life is timetabled. But Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine.
- Here I Am
Written by the Giller-nominated Pauline Holdstock, Here I Am is a spectacular story of a six-year-old boy, Frankie, on a quest to find his father and deliver a piece of devastating news. While the book is primarily written in the voice of a six-year-old, a few short chapters from the P.O.V of the adults in his life, make it an interesting read.
- The Original Ginny Moon
Benjamin Ludwig, the author of The Original Ginny Moon, is an adoptive father to an autistic teen. His triumphant achievement that is this beautifully written book, feels like an effortless extension of his very real experiences. It brilliantly captures the spirit of a young, autistic Ginny as she discovers the meaning of family in her new forever family.
- The Girl He Used To Know
Annika Rose finds it difficult to read people or situations. She prefers solitude over the company of others – except Jonathan. The Girl He Used To Know is a sweet, riveting romance fiction by Tracey Garvis Graves. Full of surprising twists and turns, The Girl He Used To Know is sure to keep you hooked until the very end.
- When My Heart Joins The Thousand
When My Heart Joins The Thousand by A.J. Steiger beautifully portrays the characters of Alvie, the autistic mail character with a tragic history, and a chronically ill boy, Stanley. It is a heartbreaking novel that perfectly encapsulates the anguish of their ill-fated love story. A story about young love, When My Heart Joins The Thousand makes for a compelling read for readers of all ages.
- The Suicide House
Charlie Donlea’s The Suicide House follows the story of Rory Moore, the autistic reconstruction specialist with OCD and her psychologist partner, Lane Phillips who are working on solving a cold murder case. Apart from the brisk pace and gripping storytelling, what stands out the most in this murder mystery is the well-developed character of Rory.
- The Bride Test
An unconventional story of unlikely love, The Bride Test by Helen Hoang treats its autistic central character with respect and inclusivity. It takes us into the life of Khai Diep, whose mother sets out to Vietnam in search of a perfect bride for him. While Khai is convinced he cannot feel love, Esme Tran has him question his beliefs.
- The Rosie Result
The Rosie Result by novelist Graeme Simsion is the third and final installment of the Don Tillman trilogy, following the much loved The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. The Independent called it ‘a brave, funny conclusion to an atypical trilogy’. It is the story of Don, Rosie, and their 11-year-old son, Hudson, who might be autistic, like his father and what will a formal diagnosis mean for him.
