A revealing memoir about living with Asperger’s syndrome that is by turns laugh-out-loud funny and achingly sad.
It is only when he is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, at the age of 55, that Tom Cutler’s life starts to make sense — his accidental rudeness, his strange obsessions (including road signs and Sherlock Holmes), his unusual way of dressing, and his trouble in company.
In this moving memoir, Tom explores his eccentric behaviour from boyhood to manhood, examines the role of autism in his family, and investigates the scientific explanations for his condition.
Eloquent, witty, and insightful, Keep Clear ultimately shows why the day Tom received his diagnosis turned out to be the happiest day of his life.
‘A British humour writer chronicles his experiences with Asperger’s syndrome, for which he didn’t receive a diagnosis until he was 55, and explores some of the science associated with the condition … [T]he meat of the book is Cutler’s detailed, highly entertaining examination of his life on the spectrum, and his unique brand of comedy is evident throughout … An intimate embrace of Asperger’s full of both melancholy and salty humour..’
Kirkus Reviews
‘This is a delightful and intimate insight into Asperger's, it couldn't be more timely or more valuable.’
Nicholas Blincoe, author of Manchester Slingback
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‘Honest, witty and informative, this is an important and valuable book on many levels … If you have a friend or family member who is on the Autism Spectrum, this book will go a long way toward helping to understand the immense effort it requires to try to fit into a ‘neurotypical’ world.’
The Sherlock Holmes Journal
‘Cutler’s memoir is a heartwarming account of his life through the lens of his obsessions and eccentricities.’
Happy Mag
Praise for A Gentleman's Bedside Book:
‘The perfect stocking filler for the man who has everything.’
The Oldie