From the beginning I felt such empathy for Anna. The author’s portrayal of a woman with autism was described so truthfully, from the masking to the autism burnout. The story of how she meets Quan and the difficulties she has in being honest about what she likes and doesn’t like broke me. His careful regard for her and his desire to know her and show such concern for her made me wish there were more people in the world like this. To understand her feelings of panic, her desire to please her family and the energy it takes for her to do this shows what real love should be like.
Whilst it is a heartbreaking yet heart warming story, what really resonated with me was that by learning to be herself Anna was able to come through her burnout. Alongside, this the author explores the role of caregivers and the draining emotional effect it has on the family. This is such a difficult topic as the sense of duty is there but the lack of recognition that not everyone can do it. There is also the question of what their father wants and when he was truly lost.
The reaction of Anna’s sister when she tells her she has autism is such a sad but true reflection of how others do react even family.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
Whilst it is a heartbreaking yet heart warming story, what really resonated with me was that by learning to be herself Anna was able to come through her burnout. Alongside, this the author explores the role of caregivers and the draining emotional effect it has on the family. This is such a difficult topic as the sense of duty is there but the lack of recognition that not everyone can do it. There is also the question of what their father wants and when he was truly lost.
The reaction of Anna’s sister when she tells her she has autism is such a sad but true reflection of how others do react even family.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it.