Sunday, March 27, 2011

"Nobody trusts a man who won't look them in the eye."

Look Me In The Eye, John Elder Robison

Initially, I picked this novel up at the bookstore due to the striking photo on the cover. However, as I started to browse through the first pages I realized the author was none other than the brother of one my favorite writers, Augusten Burroughs (author of Running with Scissors).  I couldn't resist. 

Much like Running with Scissors, this novel is a memoir that captures the odd, often disturbing, family dynamics that were originally detailed in Augusten's series of books. However, this novel differs in the fact that it takes the perspective of Augusten's older brother, John Elder, who also happens to be diagnosed with a form of Autism known as Asperger's.  Hence, the title...."look me in the eye".  

In some ways, John Elder's diagnosis aids him in the darkest days of his mother's escalating mental illness and his father's alcoholism.  He was able to escape his increasingly disturbing home life due to his almost savant-like expertise of engineering just about anything from musical instruments to pyrotechnics.  One might wonder how he could ever combine these two seemingly separate talents, however John Elder eventually is hired by the infamous band, KISS, to create one-of-a-kind exploding guitars for their tours in the 1970's.  Pretty impressive for a guy who was a high school drop out. 

The one critique I have of the book is the perhaps misconstrued representation of how a typical "Aspergian" behaves.  John Elder certainly embodies many of the stereotypical habits of one diagnosed with Asperger's (avoiding eye contact, lack of close relationships, inability to read social cues), however he also describes several darkly deviant pranks that he performs throughout his childhood that I beg to differ have anything to do with his diagnosis.....  

The following excerpt is a statement John Elder makes to his teacher when she questions what he is again staring at.  It seems to highlight the point I'm trying to make: 

"Oh, Mrs. Crowley, " I answered, in my nicest voice, "I was just imagining you chained up, in a deep hole, with a heavy steel grate on top.  And rats. Lots of rats. Crawling all over you." Then I made a smile, baring my teeth the way dogs do when they're ready to bite. 

I think his tendency to lash out with twisted humor has less to do with his diagnosis and more to do with his fairly unstable upbringing. 

All in all, I think it's an interesting read of a man's life like none other.  However, purchase it for the story itself and not with the intent to learn more about Asperger's. 



Sunday, March 20, 2011

"Dear Osama they want you dead or alive so the terror will stop."

Incendiary, Chris Cleave


I have to admit as I was in the midst of reading this novel my first reaction was to put it down and find a replacement book this week. The book is written in letter format from the perspective of a devastated working-class woman in London who lost her husband and son to a Islamic terrorist bombing.  She writes the novel length letter to one of the most notorious war criminals of our time, none other than Osama Bin Laden.  This letter ultimately becomes the woman's only form of solace as she pours her heart out to the man who took away her life, sanity, and loved ones.  As one might imagine, this was not one of the most uplifting books.....

With that being said,  it was not until I completely finished the book and took time to process it in its entirety that I truly was able to appreciate its ultimate message.  The book was not supposed to be uplifting, easy, or pretty for that matter. Yes, it was dark. Yes, it was cynical. Yes, it was disturbing. But that is what gives it its eerily authentic prose. It's unfortunately believable to some extent.

Themes of the timeless question of good versus evil and forgiveness versus vengeance, inundate the story line from beginning to end.  Ultimately, the novel has less to do with terrorism itself and more to do with the the woman's inner battle to become the victim or the survivor in her post-terrorist world.  The disturbing tone of the book is subsequently balanced by the woman's constant fight for resiliency, forgiveness, and inner strength- even if it is accomplished in unconventional manners.

Next week, I vow to find myself a bit more of a lighter read....

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Here goes nothing....

Inspiring Idiosyncrasies is meant to serve as a sounding board for my journey as I challenge myself to read one book per week for an entire year. 

Why?  I'm not very good at prioritizing self-care unless I have something or someone to hold me accountable to it.  Let's just say, I'm not the girl who exercises when no one is looking.  However, the truth is.... I love to read.  Like so many others out there, I've allowed other aspects of my life to take precedence over my passions.  Enough is enough. This is my way of kicking anhedonia out of my life.

When?  Starting tomorrow, 3-14-2011.  No hesitations. No regrets. Bring it!