A review by anitaconchita
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
5.0
I've enjoyed all of Hoang's books, but this one was especially compelling. Although, it is a romance, I found it especially deft at depicting and reflecting autism, familial dynamics, and burnout, and I found myself having to put down the book at several moments because I was so affected and stressed by the character's circumstances and her internal though processes. My heart really hurt for hers. But the romance was sweet and supportive, and I loved that.
Style-wise, this book reminded me of [b:The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time|1618|The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time|Mark Haddon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479863624l/1618._SY75_.jpg|4259809], as a first-person narrative from the perspective of someone with autism who's trying to decode "normal" behavior, reactions, and expectations, while also navigating a rather complicated series of events and relationships. I found it to be really effective. For women who experience or struggle with imposter syndrome, or who do emotional or affective labor managing and caring for the emotions of other people, this book can be a little exhausting, because it heightens all of those emotions that much more.
Overall, highly recommend. I have also recommended to my disability justice friends, with the warning that there's explicit sex, cause that element of Hoang's books can surprise folks who don't know it's coming!
Style-wise, this book reminded me of [b:The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time|1618|The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time|Mark Haddon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479863624l/1618._SY75_.jpg|4259809], as a first-person narrative from the perspective of someone with autism who's trying to decode "normal" behavior, reactions, and expectations, while also navigating a rather complicated series of events and relationships. I found it to be really effective. For women who experience or struggle with imposter syndrome, or who do emotional or affective labor managing and caring for the emotions of other people, this book can be a little exhausting, because it heightens all of those emotions that much more.
Overall, highly recommend. I have also recommended to my disability justice friends, with the warning that there's explicit sex, cause that element of Hoang's books can surprise folks who don't know it's coming!