The Official Description: Hervé has Asperger’s, a specific kind of autism that makes him unable to interact with other people.
Luc has been severely scarred by fire and flees human presence to avert the way people glare and frown when they see him.
It was impossible for them to meet, but life sometimes likes to cheat the odds. Is it just a trick or a way to bring together two men who could be each other’s lifeline?
Just the facts: Character with Asbergers, Character with a physical disability
What a great way to start of 2020! Love On the Spectrum is a beautiful story about living your life when you’re not like everyone else. LOVED this book! – Kinzie Things
My thoughts bit: Hervé has Asperger’s. He’s working, living on his own…but still challenging himself daily with tasks his psychologist gives hm. Hervé struggles most with social interactions and physical contact. When he’s overwhelmed by the sound and sensations around him, he shuts down.
Luc is recovering from an accident that has left him disfigured. When he first meets Hervé he won’t go out unless he’s wearing a hoodie. He’s been called names, and the stares and expressions on peoples’ faces are impossible for him to take. He’s moving through life without looking up.
Both men are struggling with social interactions for completely different reasons but somehow, when they meet, they manage to reach each other in a place that is somehow between all the challenges they face. As they become closer, they learn to assist each other in gentle and loving ways… it made my heart hurt (in a good way).
This book is a joyous experience. It’s not often that a book has a character who is on the Autism spectrum… let alone a main character like Hervé. I know this is one interpretation of a Neurodiverse individual, but it read as authentic and genuine for me. My personal experience with neurodiversity made me cheer at sections of this book! It was an absolute pleasure to read about Hervé: the ups and the downs he faces are remarkable and so is his resilence.
Luc is open and accepting when he begins to learn about Hervé. Perhaps, their “disabilities” enable them to see each other clearly in a world in which people are entirely too focused on “sameness” and the convenience of always being able to assume they know how people will react to things.
I loved the fact that Hervé had a supportive work environment. Hervé’s boss is a great character! He clearly demonstrates that neurodiverse people can be welcomed into a work environment just like anyone else. With a few minor changes (which might even be good for all of us!), Hervé is able to manage a job that he’s not only successful at.. he excels.
In a world of books that are written about the same “types” of people over and over again, this novel is a breath of fresh air. It’s well-written, well-paced and had me hooked from the beginning. The brief flashbacks of Hervé’s life as he was growing up really filled out his character and made me appreciate the way he was trying to live his life.
I would happily read more by this author!
Things You May Want To Know: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of. In this book: (SPOILERS) Ableism, references to past trauma, bullying, workplace harassment, burn victim with scars, descriptions of panic/severe anxiety
I received an ARC of Love On The Spectrum by Alec Nortan from PUBLISHER via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Kinzie Things 