This book portrays the confusion felt by an autistic spectrum child when he interacts with the 'normal' world. His literal interpretation of speech and events lead to his institutionalisation for reasons he does not understand. A challenging read. ( )

'When I was five I killed myself' is a disappointing read. The writer's approach to creating the eight year old narrator is an unsatisfactory mixture of warped logic and bad grammar which does nothing to convince. Unappealing and without personal insight. ( )

Written in English by France's noted autistic specialist, it has been read by millions in France alone. This psychologist has written 5 books on his subject. This is his only fiction.
This is more than a good novel. The main character is a troubled boy narrating and navigating his way through a difficult time in his life; and the understanding and help, or lack of it, from those he encounters along the way.
It is one of a kind. ( )

Amazing.

I was putting away books at the university library where I work when I came across this book. The title grabbed my attention immediately, so, out of curiosity, I tucked it away to read when I had free time.

It's something like a cross between Girl, Interrupted, The Catcher in the Rye, and Sesame Street, oddly enough. That's the only way I can describe it. ( )