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horsley123's review against another edition
4.0
This story shows how the 'system' can drive parents to desperate measures when trying to get the best for their autistic child. For the love of their child, the couple want to have their child placed in a residential school, but the Powers that Be decree that a cheaper school round the corner will suffice.
There are two threads to this story; the first being the fight to get the child into the school, with the devastating impact it has on the parents' relationship. The second is the Grandfather's tale, how his love for his Grandson brings back memories which he has never shared.
It is a sad book; the sense of frustration drips off the pages and I shed a few tears at the Grandfather's hidden grief.
There are two threads to this story; the first being the fight to get the child into the school, with the devastating impact it has on the parents' relationship. The second is the Grandfather's tale, how his love for his Grandson brings back memories which he has never shared.
It is a sad book; the sense of frustration drips off the pages and I shed a few tears at the Grandfather's hidden grief.
emilyfcass's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
loved this, grey characters, with a wonderful portrayal
swhite's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Quite an illuminating, powerful and sad story. It takes turns you don't expect and the title takes on a greater significance as you approach the end and see how it has relevance for every character.
Ben and Emma are parents to Jonah, a 10-year-old with severe autism. IN a desperate effort to help their case of getting Jonah a place at a residential school best suited to his significant need, they fake a separation. Ben and Jonah move in with Ben's dad so Ben can appear to be a 'single' father.
Ben Jewell has hit breaking point. His ten-year-old son Jonah has severe autism and Ben and his wife, Emma, are struggling to cope. Jonah doesn't talk, and Ben and Georg both have their own reasons for keeping quiet as well.
We follow the day-to-day struggles of coping with autism, Ben's taking on of the legal system and his own guilt and personal demons. There are some beautifully written moments, of Jonah relating to his grandfather, of the constant struggles against the worst aspects of autism (nappies at age 10, a son who does not communicate, extreme food choices, anti-social behaviour). There are also some emotional moments of love and connection, as Ben admits to himself and others that he loves his son but has conflicting feelings about him.
It is fascinating following their tribunal appeal, and I really liked the chapter headings using Jonah's communication cards to represent the overall feel of the proceeding chapter. I did find there was an issue with the Kindle version (possibly due to the ARC nature of the version I read) with no gaps between paragraphs that moved character / time periods, making it tricky to follow the story briefly. This may not be the case in the final version.
There are various turns in plot that reveal som quite shocking family secrets, and an epilogue that follows the main story that was incredibly moving and could have been a book in itself.
Very affecting and honest account of a family's struggles against illness, the system and their own in adequacies. Ben in particular is a well-drawn flawed father, one you empathise with but want to pull up by his bootstraps.
Expect a few wet eyes and a feeling of empathy after reading this.
Review of a NetGalley advance reading copy.
Ben and Emma are parents to Jonah, a 10-year-old with severe autism. IN a desperate effort to help their case of getting Jonah a place at a residential school best suited to his significant need, they fake a separation. Ben and Jonah move in with Ben's dad so Ben can appear to be a 'single' father.
Ben Jewell has hit breaking point. His ten-year-old son Jonah has severe autism and Ben and his wife, Emma, are struggling to cope. Jonah doesn't talk, and Ben and Georg both have their own reasons for keeping quiet as well.
We follow the day-to-day struggles of coping with autism, Ben's taking on of the legal system and his own guilt and personal demons. There are some beautifully written moments, of Jonah relating to his grandfather, of the constant struggles against the worst aspects of autism (nappies at age 10, a son who does not communicate, extreme food choices, anti-social behaviour). There are also some emotional moments of love and connection, as Ben admits to himself and others that he loves his son but has conflicting feelings about him.
It is fascinating following their tribunal appeal, and I really liked the chapter headings using Jonah's communication cards to represent the overall feel of the proceeding chapter. I did find there was an issue with the Kindle version (possibly due to the ARC nature of the version I read) with no gaps between paragraphs that moved character / time periods, making it tricky to follow the story briefly. This may not be the case in the final version.
There are various turns in plot that reveal som quite shocking family secrets, and an epilogue that follows the main story that was incredibly moving and could have been a book in itself.
Very affecting and honest account of a family's struggles against illness, the system and their own in adequacies. Ben in particular is a well-drawn flawed father, one you empathise with but want to pull up by his bootstraps.
Expect a few wet eyes and a feeling of empathy after reading this.
Review of a NetGalley advance reading copy.
wintrovia's review against another edition
5.0
A sad, funny and uplifting story about a man and his relationship with his son. It's an interesting insight into the things that parents of children with autism have to face and the beauracracy they have to fight, but it's never preachy. Very sad in places but also very funny in others, an emotional rollercoaster.
fluffyllama789's review against another edition
4.0
I was lucky enough to win this book through a Goodreads giveaway and I really enjoyed it.
Shtum was a great read full of raw emotion, which showed how it is so easy to judge people without really knowing whats going. It was heartfelt with just the right amount of humor thrown in. You could really identify with the characters and their situations.
Shtum was a great read full of raw emotion, which showed how it is so easy to judge people without really knowing whats going. It was heartfelt with just the right amount of humor thrown in. You could really identify with the characters and their situations.
finalgirlfall's review against another edition
4.0
when i read (and reviewed) this at the age of 16, i called this novel "inherently ableist" for being about a presumably-allistic father's perception of his autistic child--but if i recall correctly, the protagonist's son doesn't end the novel by miraculously speaking, which i think is a point in lester's favor.
shivsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
calturner's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to TBC on Facebook for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this outstanding novel.
As the parent of a (now adult) disabled child this book has touched me on a personal level. My daughter doesn't have autism, but so many of the thoughts, feelings and experiences expressed in this book are so familiar to me.
Beautifully written, with characters so true to life that you can't help but fall in love with them from the very first page, even when their actions are sometimes difficult to understand. They're real, flawed human beings and this only makes me love them more.
Shtum is a book that will stay with me forever and is, without a doubt, the best book I have ever read that deals with the reality of life with a disabled child and the huge impact it has on every aspect of your life.
Just wow. An emotional and powerful 5 star read.
As the parent of a (now adult) disabled child this book has touched me on a personal level. My daughter doesn't have autism, but so many of the thoughts, feelings and experiences expressed in this book are so familiar to me.
Beautifully written, with characters so true to life that you can't help but fall in love with them from the very first page, even when their actions are sometimes difficult to understand. They're real, flawed human beings and this only makes me love them more.
Shtum is a book that will stay with me forever and is, without a doubt, the best book I have ever read that deals with the reality of life with a disabled child and the huge impact it has on every aspect of your life.
Just wow. An emotional and powerful 5 star read.