It made me think

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darloali Avatar

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I started this book expecting it to be a reasonably straightforward love story. I was wrong. Helen Hoang sets out to address the difficult topic of autism. I have long suspected that I too may be borderline on the spectrum and many of the traits and problems faced by Anna I can recognise in myself. Anna's struggle to be herself and her development throughout the novel are fascinating, although even I find myself a little exasperated with her on occasion! It is one of those stories where the reader WILLS things to turn out well for her. Although Quan on the surface does not appear to be the sort of man Anna needs, he is in fact, exactly right for her. Kind, forgiving and understanding, he really does go out on a limb for her. I do wonder at his resilience. I would expect the vast majority of men to run a mile from a relationship with Anna but he does completely the opposite. All in all, a rich love story, addressing the inner turmoil of an autistic woman whose family does not understand her but who finds that the love of an extraordinary man can help her come to terms with life. Recommended.