Much too pointed in its blame of the causes of autism, and what the “right” therapies are, with not enough actual science to back up the claims. Reads more like a help book for parents of autism with a little story thrown in than an actual novel, and there was not enough depth of exploration into the family dynamics that the diagnosis created. ( )

This book was recommmended by Anita Shreve, Deborah Moggach, and Joanne Harris and that was good enough for me. I bought it and read it and I certainly was not disappointed. At the age of two, Daniel is diagnosed with autism and nothing will ever be the same for his family. The story is told by his mother Melanie who is determined to teach Daniel to be as normal as possible but she finds little support from the experts that she consults and none from her husband. This heartbreaking story is delivered with warmth and humour and is a great read. Ms Leimbach is a fine writer and I am glad to have discovered her. ( )

I did empathise with the mum, Melanie. I did also learn a lot about autism which helps as one of my friends has an autistic child. ( )

Daniel Isn't Talking is a book about a child with autism and the way his family deals with his diagnosis and treatment. It's an easy read - I finished it in one day. Leimbach's descpiptions of Melanie, Daniel's mother, were realistic and inspiring. However, the book had more of a "chick lit" feel to it than I like. Her husband was a predictable jerk, without much depth. Leimbach's point that having a child with disabilities takes its toll on a marriage was made, but it would have been a better novel if she had tried harder to present the complex feelings of all of the characters, including Daniel's father. That said, it was great as a light read. ( )

funny, inspiring ( )

I was drawn to this story because the plot involves a young family trying to come to grips with the reality of a small child who is not talking. Since I have a grandchild who had language delays, I readily identified with the struggle, fears and pain of the young mother, an American woman who married a British man and lives in England. The writing is so candid and realistic, that I was certain the author wrote from personal experience. After finishing the story, I wrote an email to Marti Leimbach and to my surprise, she answered immediately and yes, she is the mother of an autistic son. This book does not sugar coat the situation and yet is not depressing. Realistically dealing with the family dynamics the novel shows that such life events impact everyone in the family and the author champions honesty and authenticity. ( )

http://booksplease.blogspot.com/2008/...

We discussed Daniel Isn’t Talking last Wednesday evening at the book group. One of the others summed up my feelings when she said, “I was rather under whelmed by it”. I had very mixed feelings whilst reading. I was intrigued to know more about autism, and the book certainly made me a lot more knowledgeable, but I thought that some of the characters were two-dimensional and unconvincing.

Daniel is autistic, but at first Stephen his British father refuses to accept that there is anything wrong with him, whilst his American mother, Melanie, struggles to find out what is wrong with him and the best way of looking after him and helping him to talk, play and become as “normal” as possible.

I found it quite a disturbing read not just because of the difficulties and cruelties that autism carries with it, but also because of the way such illnesses are dealt with in our society. There is seemingly a stigma, autism is something that is not generally understood, and the causes are unknown, although there are various ideas circulating (eg the MMR vaccination). The book deals with loyalties, families and ways of coping with illness, health and ways of healing and there are many angry assaults on the education system and its ways of dealing with children who are different in one way or another. Daniel has an older sister, Emily, who is a happy, healthy, cheerful child with “a mop of blonde curls billowing around her face, smiling eyes, aquamarine.” Stephen insists she goes to a pre-school, whilst Melanie wants to keep her at home. Emily is not interested in school and wants to play, looking at children in the playground as though they are in prison. Stephen has his way and Emily goes to the pre-school and finds that what she likes best is going home.

It’s a book full of angst. One poignant scene that remains with me after reading the book is the scene in the supermarket where Daniel is having a tantrum, screaming, trying to hurl himself out of the trolley, grabbing biscuits when Melanie meets a woman who understands, is sympathetic and helpful. The other customers are watching, imagining, so Melanie thinks, that she is merely indulging a spoilt child. Next time I’m out shopping surrounded by screaming children I’ll remember this scene!

Melanie is paranoid in her antagonism towards special schools. The people who visited Melanie trying to enlist him at a school are described as “a horrible pair who came by with their clipboards and their raincoats, looking more like spies than anybody who should be near children. They regarded Daniel as one might a wild animal, admiring him from a safe distance as we did the tiger who paced his enclosure.” Well, this is a novel, but my experience is far from that (my daughter-in-law is a special needs teacher).

This book is a quick, easy read, although the subject is far from easy, and is good at portraying a mother desperately trying to help her autistic child. However, some of the other characters (Stephen, his parents, Veena, the cleaner and Larry, Melanie’s brother) come over as wooden stereotypes and I found the sub-plot of, the alternative play therapist, Andy as Melanie’s lover unconvincing. The blurb on the back cover says it’s “Powerful and moving, and also surprisingly funny. A love story in every sense.” Yes, it is powerful and moving, and also sad, but I didn’t find any humour and the love story that came over to me is that of a mother for her child. ( )

"Daniel Isn't Talking" by Marti Leimbach is a glimpse inside the life of a mother who is passionate about finding the key to unlock her young autistic son's mind.

Her husband, Stephen, is a man who does not look beyond the surface of Daniel's illness, which eventually drives a wedge between the couple, and they separate.

Melanie seeks out every doctor, every alternative, every possible method to try to set her son free from the quiet prison of autism....and meets a man named Andy who begins the process of "play therapy" with young Daniel. Over time, Daniel begins to respond to this therapy, slowly but surely....and Melanie's hopes begin to soar.

Melanie goes back and forth, wishing her husband to be a participant in this effective treatment for their son, as well as to come back home, at least for the children's sake (there is a young daughter too, who is not autistic). But between her longing for her husband to come back home, she begins seeing Andy as more than just a therapist for her son, but as a man who seems to care for her and her family in a personal way.

The book is a page turner, smooth and very well written. If the reader knows a person with autism, you will relate to this book. If the reader does not know a person with autism, you will find this book to be a fascinating look inside the complex world of a challenging and sometimes misunderstood illness.

I very highly recommend this book to all. I'd love to read more by this excellent writer. ( )

Ok, I admit that what made me check out this book was the cute pic of the little boy on the front cover, NOT because I actually knew anything about it. As I started to read, I wish I hadn't--the subject matter was so depressing! I think that all you moms can relate to the main character, though, a person who would give her life to better her child's. The book got better, though, and by the end, I was happy that Daniel was talking. ~Mel

Although fictional, Daniel Isn't Talking provides some insight of the struggles parents face when their child is diagnosed with autism. This book is an easy read, highly engaging and emotional. ( )

Good read. Mother in the story experienced many of the same emotions I did about my daughter with Down Syndrome. ( )

I enjoyed this book greatly. It was a story that made me want to cry in the beginning and cheer at the end. Though slightly predictable, it made me feel good about myself as a mother and a woman because I could place myself in Melanie's shoes and understand her guilt, frustration, and finally, strength. Truly beautiful. ( )

A novel that reads like a memoir about a mother dealing with an autistic son, her husband leaving her, and a man who works with autistic children with whom she falls in love. ( )

This was really fun and interesting book to read. My only complaint is that the ending is a bit too predictable. ( )