Wounded Bird of Paradise [Paperback]

Mary Essinger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1843102560 | ISBN-13: 978-1843102564 | Publication Date: May 15, 2004 | Edition: 1

When Mabelline sets out on a journey to visit her pen pal Rosa, she doesn't expect to be staying quite as long as she does. Mabelline quickly takes Rosa and her son Carlos to her heart, but she knows right away there is something different about the boy. When tragedy occurs, Mabelline becomes responsible for Carlos as he struggles to fit into a world based on rules he doesn't understand, and finds himself in serious trouble. This unlikely pair takes us on an emotional journey that warms the heart whilst illustrating the difficulties someone with Asperger Syndrome encounters trying to hold down a job as a flower grower, make friends, talk to girls, and cope with life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Essinger writes sensitively...Funny, touching and sad, this is a novel which lingers in the memory.' --- Leicester Mercury

About the Author

Mary Essinger has a special interest in the vulnerability of mankind. Normally a writer and performer of comedy scripts, this is her first serious novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (May 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843102560
• ISBN-13: 978-1843102564
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,953,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Autism in Paradise, April 24, 2006

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BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wounded Bird of Paradise (Paperback)

Maybelline is a very interesting character. She shares the literary spotlight with her pen pal's son, Carlos who has Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is the spectrum partner to autism.

At the opening of the story, Maybelline leaves England for the warmer climes of Portugal. She moves in with her friend Rosa, with whom she had a friendship through mail for some time.

Rosa has a young son named Carlos. Very little is said about the boy's father, but readers learn fragments about him. Carlos is the product of an interracial union; the boy's father has had no contact with either him or Rosa for some years. Rosa has poor judgment in men, believing every romantic promise that they make to her.

Carlos, who has AS, has no concept of how to respond socially; he takes everything people say literally; he is unable to gauge age in others and has a special interest in gardening, most specifically the Bird of Paradise flower.

Maybelline takes the boy under her wing. When he insists on buying Rosa yet another colorful bottle for her birthday, Maybelline tells him it is time to buy her something different. She even has to tell the boy to hug Rosa, which is not something he would have thought of doing nor was inclined to do.

Maybelline stays for several years. During her time in Portugal, Rosa dies and Carlos, by then a young adult has to be taught how to manage finances and keep his job at the plant nursery.

A very interesting book and a very realistic portrayal of a young man who has Asperger's Syndrome. Many believe AS is a form of autism since it is on the spectrum and I am inclined to share that belief. Carlos' behavior is closer to the AS end of the spectrum, which means he is much higher functioning. His social ineptitude is his biggest stumbling block.

What makes this book so unique is the inclusion about the Bird of Paradise flower at the end of the chapters. There are sections written in the first person in Maybelline's voice and others in the third person in Carlos' voice, which make for an interesting back and forth. The ending was somewhat of a surprise and is rather funny, as from Maybelline's perspective.

WILD ORCHID by Beverly Brenna is a good companion book to this one.