2019 was a banger of a year when it came to the representation of autism in books. However, the same can’t quite be said for 2019s autistic characters. Sure, novels like The Bride Test, The Helpline and Underdogs created some unforgettable representations but, when it came to the books that questioned where we are at as a community (over what we are as individuals), then even these great novels were outshone by some of the best books with autistic themes, to date.
The following is my spoiler-free recommendation of what, I believe, were the 3 best autism books from 2019 (All of which can be reached, bought and enjoyed by clicking on the affiliate links in their titles).
3. A Collection of Autistic Siblings
Despite how it sounds, the term ‘autism family’ doesn’t describe a unit where every individual in a family tree has autism (although, if it did, you can guarantee I would read that book). Instead, autism family describes how, when one member has the condition, it impacts on every branch of their tree – in ways just as diverse as the spectrum itself.
2019 went above and beyond when it came to representing these common circumstances, bringing with it a range of fantastic reads, showcasing what it’s like to have an autistic sibling, parent and so on. Although it was tough, I have managed to narrow down 3 such books for my joint 3rd spot today which, while not solely about autism, certainly do an excellent job of depicting what life is like in an autism family. They are:
- The Boy Who Steals Houses: 15 year old Sammy Lou and his autistic older brother, Avery, have only known rejection (that, and how to locate, break into and hide in any house they like) but, when Sam finds himself at the centre of a new family, with the exuberant Moxie, will the boy with no home throw away the last of the family he has to steal a new one?
- Caterpillar Summer: Painting the ideal image of little city life, Caterpillar Summer follows the titular Cat and her autistic brother, Chicken, after a disruption to their holiday plans isolates them in their mother’s former hometown. Seeing this as an opportunity to reinvent herself with a new identity, other than that of her brother’s carer, Cat meets the locals of the island and uncovers a decade-old mystery of what happened between her mum and absent grandpa.
- The Space We’re In: Invigorating, enlightening and exciting are the only words that describe the opening chapters of The Space We’re In, as 10-year-old wild boy Frank and his (yep, you guessed it) autistic brother, Max, prepare for their first day back to school. But, as is often the case in cruel children’s books, Frank finds the carpet pulled out from underneath him, as unimaginable sorrow and strain hit his family in ways which must be read to be felt.
2. Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
When a pressurized oxygen chamber at Miracle Creek sets alight, killing two and injuring many others, the trail of clues left behind point towards the stressed, spiritually broken, mother of one of the autistic patients lost in the incident. On trial, with the possibility of receiving the death sentence, those involved on that fateful day, question what would drive Elizabeth to murder her autistic son and whether it is she who is rightfully on the stand, or someone else in the room.
Miracle Creek is not your classic courtroom drama. Sure, there are plenty of times when you’ll ‘aha’, ‘hmmm’ ‘huh?’ and ‘oh!’ whilst working out it’s mysteries but, from the very moment the chamber goes bang, the novel’s intricately woven plot becomes secondary to its thematically invigorating relationships, which explore everything from autism culture to the pursuit of the American dream.
While these complexities are each worthy of thesis level discussion, a spectacular example of this (which doesn’t spoil anything) can be seen early on in the conflict of two parents who, to differing success, create the best life for their autistic children; one by instigating as many therapies, fads and diets as possible, the other by letting her son enjoy what he wants when he wants.
In circumstances like this, Miracle Creek makes you question what is ‘right’ when it comes to supporting autistic people and, while the mention of a delicious sounding coconut-based pizza certainly makes me know which route I would choose, this particular story never ceased to make me question whether it would be the right decision overall.
However, autism isn’t solely the name of the game here, as debut writer: Angie Kim tangentially paints a beautifully tragic tale of immigration within America, wherein the Korean owners of the oxygen chamber lose a lot more than just their business in the blaze, but possibly their futures, fortune and family.
Psychologically stimulating and harrowingly beautiful, Miracle Creek is the spark that brought new life to the ‘whodunit’ genre in 2019, revolutionizing how autism can be integrated into a non-autistic narrative.
1. The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion
Ever since he aikido flipped perceptions of autism back in 2013, Don Tillman has been the literature darling of the autism community. So, when it came to the release of his final chapter, was there really any doubt that The Rosie Result would claim first prize for, yet again, demonstrating the potential of our community?
Picking up 10 years from his previous outing, Don, wife Rosie and son Hudson are living the routine dream when readers return to the Tillman’s in The Rosie Result but, after several incidents in which: Don receives a racial-related complaint, Hudson is encouraged to take an autism test and Rosie begins to struggle with her work-life balance, it becomes clear that the only consistent in Don’s life is the lack of consistency he has.
While just as hilarious and engaging as ever, it’s the heart which lies at the centre of The Rosie Result which is its greatest asset this time round – as every piece in the Tillman trilogy puzzle flourishes to create a multi-dimensional portrait of, not just what a family with autistic members looks like, but how a community with autism can strive.
It’s not uncommon for the finale of many trilogies to be nothing more than a greatest hits (in which plots are retread in the name of nostalgia). However, The Rosie Result takes the bold move to improve on its predecessor, with subjects that are not only untouched in previous series entries, but also absent in pretty much every other autism book on the shelf – such as anti-vaxxing and the neurodiversity movement.
This ultimately pays off by removing any possibility that Don’s life could grow stale (as if that was ever a possibility) and resulting in a book which is perfect for 2019.
Like one of Don’s standardised meals (which can now be found in a book of their own), all these elements come together to give Don and his family the send-off they deserve; earning The Rosie Result 1st place in this year’s battle for top autism book and raising the bar for what is to come in 2020.
Carry on the Conversation:
What is your favourite book with an autistic character? Let me know in the comments below. And, if you would like more autism led recommendations, then check out my lists on the best books with autistic characters from 2017 and 2018.
As always, I can also be found on Twitter @AutismRevised and via my email: AutisticandUnapologetic@gmail.com.
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Thank you for reading and I will see you next Saturday for more thoughts from across the spectrum.
