Reviews with content warning for Eating disorder - Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After

Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloé Hayden

53 reviews

fatfrog's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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melsage1823's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

Disclaimer: This is an own voices review from an Autistic person. Please read reviews from other Neurodivergent folk as I don't represent the community as a whole.

An Emotional And Uplifting Memoir That Perfectly Balances It's Two Main Target Audiences Without Feeling Cluncky.

As an Autistic person this book absolutely warmed my heart and gave me alot of comfort. Its a book I wish I could have handed to Younger Mel to comfort them. This book is not only full of incredible tips and reassurances for newly diagnosed Neurodivergent folk but also an informative novel that can help Neurotypical people get inside the head of a Neurodivergent person and understand the struggles of living in a world that shuns difference. I'm impressed how Chloé manages to incoperate her own experiences whilst also giving important statistics and tips.

I really liked this novel and didn't find anything that put me off. The only thing I would criticise is the structure. I wish that instead of having the quotes in the middle of certain sections that they were put at the end. The quotes were very necessary but I think they were very off putting and distracting in the middle of a paragraph giving important tips. It also didn't help that the audiobook excluded reading the quotes. That's my only criticism. For a book about accepting everyone it should be more inclusive of dyslexic readers and not make things so confusing. Despite that it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

Now onto the strengths of this Self-Help Memoir. I really enjoyed the fact that the pages were spilled with Chloés personality and that the advice she has was given in a way meaningful to her. I've read many reviews criticising the Disney and Fairy Tale metaphors but without them I think the Memoir would be fairly average. As an Autistic person I love to give random metaphors especially metaphors linked through my special interests. I think Chloé using her special intrests of Disney and Fairytales too describe how Neurodivergent people can accept themselves, takes the reader on a journey in a way that's comfortable for Chloé. The best self-help novels and memoirs add personality to keep the reader engaged and its done perfectly here.

Secondly I have to praise the incredible balancing of its two target readers. This novel knows what it wants to be and what it's overall purpose is and I find that very good. It wants to show Neurodivergent readers that being different is nothing to be ashamed of and also show Neurotypical readers the harms of Shunning difference and how to be a better ally to Neurodivergent folks. Despite having two very clear audiences the novel doesn't feel overcrowded and jam-packed. I also thought whilst reading that both target readers can get something out of the novel and learn something new. Every chapter is structured in a way that makes sure both readers are included and it's very good. I'm generally glad there's a novel out there from an Autistic Person that can help Allistic folk understand one perspective on what it's like to be Autistic and outcasted because of it.

Finally I also have to praise the inclusivity. As mentioned in the previous paragraph Chloé is really good at reaching her target readers. Another way she does this well is by having trigger warnings. Most of the times people like to tell their story without considering what parts might be triggering for people and as a result it makes the book very overwhelming but Chloé makes sure to highlight all the sections that might be distressing and too stressful for people. It's also inclusive in the way that she breaks down the key parts of her story so that it's not too overwhelming for people and hard to read. Throughout every page of this novel you can tell she has her readers accessibly and comfortablity in mind.

Overall wether Neurodivergent or Neurotypical I would highly recommend picking up this novel. Through Chloés telling her own story and sharing important tips, you'll truly be able to understand that different does not indeed mean less.

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noorterling's review against another edition

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dark hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

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em_of_swags's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring

4.75

informative, yet empowering

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autisticwhimsydreamgirl's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

I adore this book. I want everyone in my life to read it.

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anjh's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

5.0

if only i’d read this book when i was a child or teenager who was autistic but just didn’t know it yet because of the stupid stereotypical ableist portrayal of autism in the media - usually as highly unempathetic straight white men who have special interests in science, maths and trains (a bit of a generalisation, but the media portrayal of autism still has a long way to go).

chloé hayden is so welcoming, accepting and calming and her writing is exactly the same with the addition of humour. this book is both informative from a general perspective and individual perspective with UP TO DATE statistics and information written from an autistic/ADHD perspective, by an autistic/ADHD author and it isn’t often you find something like that. there were so many parts in this that i could relate to and made me feel so seen and heard.

this book really puts the idea out that whatever you’re into, whoever you are, whatever your story is, you matter just as much as anyone else and you are loved just as much as anyone else and any unique parts of your identity (i.e., seemingly “obscure” interests, etc) are nothing to be ashamed of and nothing short of something that makes you human and that is beautiful.

i love you chloé.

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poisoned_icecream's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

This is a wonderfully written book that celebrates neurodiversity. Chloé Hayden does an excellent job at explaining how neurodivergent, and disabled people in general, need accessibility and a supportive community in order to thrive. Some of the information is not new to me, such as the fact that "Asperger's syndrome" is outdated and problematic, as well as how functioning labels are not helpful at all. The Disney references didn't me interest me that much, but that is Chloé Hayden's special interest, so it's fine that she mentions her favorite Disney films. When it comes to the subject of neurodivergence, books (and any kind of media) written by neurodivergent people will always be more important and accurate than anything written by neurotypical/allistic "experts."

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