Stim by Kevin Berry
Robert is different. He has Asperger's Syndrome. He experiences the world differently to 99% of the population. Follow his entertaining and highly empathetic story as he struggles to realise and accept who he really is, try to understand other people—which he cannot—and find a girlfriend. Especially find a girlfriend—he's decided it's his special project for the year. Accompanied on this transformative journey by his quirky flatmates, Chloe (who also has Asperger's, amongst other things), Stef (who hasn't, but doesn't mind) and their oddly-named kitten, Robert endures a myriad of awkward moments in his quest to meet a nice, normal girl...and not even a major earthquake will stop him.
This absorbing and humorous story is starkly told from Robert's point of view, through the kaleidoscope of autistic experience.
This absorbing and humorous story is starkly told from Robert's point of view, through the kaleidoscope of autistic experience.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was simply a delightful book. The story is just not for those on the spectrum but appeals to all readers. I fell in love with these characters from the first page! Robert's voice is brutally honest and extremely funny (even when he doesn't understand exactly why).
I walked away from this read understanding more about economics than I ever thought possible. The fact that each chapter started with a journal entry of which books he had read lately plus his number of sexual encounters made me giggle to myself each and every time.
MY FAVORITE QUOTES
I think words are beautiful, especially the ones with neat little letters that do not extend up or down above the others, like 'universe' and 'unconsciousness', because they look so tidy on the line.
I gradually became more aware of the chasm between how I was and how others seemed to be.
I collect books like a dragon reputedly hoards riches. They are my little treasures, though I cannot afford to buy them often, and I usually acquire them second-hand. I love it that a book can be relied upon to provide the identical information, or tell the same tale, time after time—unlike people, who can be fickle. Rereading something I already know is grounding for me, and it is pleasing to know that information in a book is always the same each time I look at it.
Some might say I am not normal, but more accurately, I could say that I am not typical.
Celebrate and accept neurodiversity.
It's better to lose a lover, than to love a loser.
We have all loved having Sex in the house.
What I actually mean is that I want to choose someone—a partner—who will take me without judging me by my past, without trying to change me in the present, and without limiting me in the future.
I can't wait to read the sequel, Kaleidoscope, and find out more about Chloe's point of view.
