Howard Buten (1950–2025)

Oh my! What a wonderful, strange, quirky, insightful, quick little read this is! I would not go as far as comparing it to Catcher in the Rye, as some critics have done so, but it is very good in its own self.
This is the story of how 8 year old Burt ends up in an institution for disturbed children. It is superbly well told in his own voice. The author captures an 8 year old's frame of mind down to a T: the scattered thoughts, the obsessive ones, the way they process events in their show more minds...very nice.
The story is told in two timelines: what happened before Burt got admitted into the institution and then everything that goes on in there. It flawlessly delivers because you can't turn those pages fast enough to see what the outcome will be.
Burt is certainly a troubled child, no doubt about it. His behavior, his train of thought, his reactions and his violent outbursts are something to be concerned about. The adults involved in his life are not to remain guilt free of his turning out; after all, the chilling ending makes us stop and think so, so many things.
I feel that if I keep reviewing this book I will give the story away. This is a book that must be read and one must be prepared for the shocking ending.
In my opinion, when a book makes you feel a wave of emotions so strong that you have to close it for a bit to regain composure, that book deserves 10 stars out of five. Don't miss it! show less

Loved this book. Unbelievable capturing of what it is like to be 8! Picked this up from a friend who was downsizing his book collection and both the title and the cover intrigued me. A very quick read with moments that made me want to find Burt, the main character and give him a big hug and tell him it will all be OK.....and for me, that's something! A little sad, but that part is the whole point. Highly recommended.

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.

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.