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Original poster

Novels about/by adults with autism (not Rosie Project)

42 replies

plainviola · 31/12/2020 11:17

Can anyone recommend any novels either by or about adults with autism? I found The Rosie Project very stereotyped, and I've read that the author doesn't have autism, so perhaps that's why it didn't feel like he really got into that character's head. Any other suggestions? I already have a list of science fiction from the SN board, but don't often read SF, so other fiction would be good. I am autistic, so I am really just looking for any fiction about people like me, as it's not something I've come across very much.

OP posts:
Cornishblues · 04/01/2021 08:43

Not fiction, but have you read the wonderful’Women from another planet’?

Kote · 04/01/2021 04:17

If you like chick lit/romance I've heard The Kiss Quotient has an autistic main character.

Original poster
plainviola · 03/01/2021 17:42

Bee Larkham sounds interesting - thanks.

I have read Mansfield Park but many years ago. Maybe I'll give it another go - I can't really remember what my thoughts were about it, so it might be interesting to read it now.

I've read Neurotribes, but haven't come across With the Light - it looks interesting, thanks.

OP posts:
Busygoingblah · 03/01/2021 17:00

Non fiction - Neurotribes by Steve Silberman. It’s quite heavy going but readable and really interesting. His Ted Talks are also good.

With the Light is a graphic novel about raising a child with autism that parents I’ve worked with have raved about.

Sadik · 03/01/2021 16:54

plainviola have you read / do you like Mansfield Park? I really like Fanny Price, she makes a great change from Jane Austen's extrovert, socially competent heroines.

Mykittensmittens · 03/01/2021 14:45

It’s not an adult, it’s a teen character, but ‘the colour of bee larkhams murder’ is a good read.

Original poster
plainviola · 03/01/2021 14:42

Thanks for all the suggestions - I will check all of them out. Happy with non-fiction suggestions too, though I've read quite a lot on autism.

I've read Eleanor Oliphant, though have seen the criticism re autism. Perhaps because of my autism I've enjoyed novels where characters have mental health conditions or are outsiders or loners for some other reason. So I liked EO and others on similar themes like The Shock of the Fall and Rachel Joyce's Perfect.

OP posts:
Standrewsschool · 03/01/2021 12:48

Sorry, not fiction as requested.

Standrewsschool · 03/01/2021 12:46

Grandin

I remember ages ago seeing a programme about this lady. It was fascinating. Maybe some books about her.

JaninaDuszejko · 03/01/2021 12:46

Eleanor Oliphant has been criticised quite a lot on here for not being realistic. In addition to that the reasons for her social problems that are nothing to do with autism and I'd not recommend it to an autistic adult who wants to read about other autistic adults because it has nothing to do with autism.

EwwSprouts · 01/01/2021 22:11

In Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine she struggles with fitting in / awkwardness and social cues but not specifically autism.

Sadik · 01/01/2021 21:55

I've just thought of another - Clem, the hero of An Unseen Attraction by KJ Charles. It's a Victorian set mystery / romance novel - kind of pastiche Wilkie Collins, I really like it. (I do read something other than SF! But still genre fiction Grin )

ForthFitzRoyFinisterre · 01/01/2021 16:32

You could try the three Edward books by Craig Lancaster, starting with 600 Hours of Edward. Though if you found the Rosie Project cliched you might feel the same about these. I loved them, however (not autistic but have autistic child).

Original poster
plainviola · 01/01/2021 15:19

I've just looked all of these up on Goodreads. They all look really interesting, so I will probably read them all. Thank you.

OP posts:
CountFosco · 01/01/2021 01:54

What about Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata? It doesn't explicitly say the main character has autism but it's certainly suggestive of it (not autistic myself so can't say how accurate it is).

Saucery · 31/12/2020 15:53

Underdogs 1 and 2 by Chris Bonnello.

DancelikeEmmaGoldman · 31/12/2020 13:57

Susannah Kearsley’s A Desperate Fortune features a women with Asperger’s. I have it, but haven’t read it, but Susannah Kearsley is a reliably talented writer.