The Only Boy in the World: A Father Explores the Mysteries of Autism [Paperback]

Michael Blastland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2006

The Only Boy in the World is a memoir, an investigation into what makes us human, a study of aberration, and a love story. It's about all the odd ways journalist Michael Blastland's autistic son, Joe, has of seeing the world and understanding others, and what that tells the rest of us about how we also tick. Through the strange stories of Joe's scrapes and confusions, he makes luminous the routine skills by which the rest of us mostly avoid the disasters that befall him. The book strives to this understanding by combining Technicolor scenes from Joe's bizarre life, from the long catalog of his social accidents, with scientific and psychological understanding of how we normally relate to other people. Illuminating the emotional core of the book are the ways that Joe and his father relate through all the turbulence to one other.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

BBC Radio journalist Blastland offers the heartfelt and honest story of his 10-year-old autistic son, Joe. Unlike some memoirs, which tend to focus on diet changes and medication trials and caretaker failures, Blastland uses each chapter to raise broad philosophical issues that define what it means to be human—such as intention, innocence, self-consciousness—in order to evaluate where Joe stands. Does Joe consider himself the "only boy in the world," with everyone else—even his dad—more like some "universal vending machine" that he pokes repeatedly to get what he needs? How does Joe think about himself, if he has so little awareness of others, and no capacity for imaginary play? What is it like to live completely in the literal world—with no fantasy, no jokes, no lies? At times, Blastland comes to profoundly sad conclusions. With Joe craving the familiar to the point of obsession, it's difficult for him to learn anything, since learning involves novelty. In the end, though the big philosophical issues remain unclear, Blastland knows he's learned a lot from trying to understand his son. (Sept.)
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Review

"A remarkably readable and compelling book, offering much of value. . . Read it. Enjoy it. Learn from it. It will haunt you." -- Bernard Rimland, PhD, director of the Autism Research Institute, founder of the Autism Society of America

"Blastland's love for his son, though unstated, shines through every page of the book." -- Bookseller

"No less than a voyage to the deep places of the human spirit and a vision of what lies beneath conventional notions of sanity and aberration." -- Ruth Rendell, award-winning crime novelist

"One of the best books on autism ever written . . . If you want to know what autism is like, close-up--and how autism can provide insights about your consciousness--then read this book." -- Uta Frith, PhD, author of Autism: Explaining the Enigma

"This is a sad, happy, harrowing, hopeful story, in which Blastland--a father understanding his son's autism--speaks with objectivity, but never sacrifices passion." -- Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, author of So You Think You're Human

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Marlowe & Company; Trade Pbk. Ed edition (August 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569242917
• ISBN-13: 978-1569242919
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,012,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Fascinating"...but heartbreaking too, December 17, 2006

By 

Susan Goewey (Vienna, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Only Boy in the World: A Father Explores the Mysteries of Autism (Paperback)

"Fascinating" turned out to be one of the most comforting things anyone ever said to the author in response to the news that his son had autism. At first put off, but then seeing the wisdom in that response, the father seeks to analyze the deficits of the "mindblindness" caused by autism compared to typical brain. This is the most unusual and philosophical book on autism I've read (and I've read many). It's not for parents who have just learned of the diagnosis. They should consult others that offer more hope and potential therapy, diet and bio-med strategies. They will be deeply disturbed that, at age 9, Joe is still exhibiting severe lack of empathy and is locked in many "quirky" obsessions that are so odd when viewed by others but are almost endearing to those of us who love someone with autism. I actually had to stop reading the book when I reached page 110 because I unexpectedly began sobbing like I have't sobbed since the night 4-1/2 years ago when I first realized my son's symptoms could only be one thing: autism.
Michael Blastland's honest love for and frustration with his son are somehow comforting (misery loves company) and disturbing... is it really impossible to teach empathy? Are people with autism really less empathetic than a dog or a chimpanzee? I sincerely hope not. But please don't let me disuade those of you who have been dealing with autism for a while to not read this book...just don't read it when your child is first diagnosed or you are in for a very rough ride. Read other books that are more hopeful. Save this one for the point when you feel you have done everything possible for your child --ABA, diet, bio-meds--and you simply want more insight as to WHY he behaves as he does...you'll find it here. I wish he'd talked more about his own relationship with "Joe's mother" and given her a voice, he doesn't even tell you when/if they divorced or never married...I wanted at least a postscript from her point of view. Even so, it is fascinating reading.