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A Normal Family

Everyday adventures with our autistic son

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A Normal Family

By: Henry Normal
Narrated by: Angela Pell, Henry Normal
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About this listen

 'A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same' David Mitchell, author of THE REASON I JUMP

Johnny is nineteen. He likes music, art and going to the beach. He is also autistic - in his case that means he will probably never get a job, never have a girlfriend, never leave home. And over the last two decades this is what his father, TV producer and comedy writer Henry Normal, and mother, Angela Pell, have been trying to come to terms with.

This is a book for anyone whose life has been touched by autism - it's about the hope, the despair, and the messy, honest, sometimes funny day-to-day world of autism, as well as a wonderful, warm book about the unconditional, unconventional love between a father, a mother and a son.

'The book is about how [Henry] grieved for the life that Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does' The Times
'Candid and funny' Radio Times
'Honest but funny' Sunday Express
'Pell and Normal describe hopes shattered, dreams deferred and victories gained in this brave, funny, and searingly honest memoir' Daily Express


(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2018 Henry Normal Children's Health Fatherhood Parenting & Families Parents & Adult Children Health Autism Special Need Comedy

Critic Reviews

A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same. (David Mitchell, author of The Reason I Jump)
The book is about how [they] grieved for the life Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does ... as much a portrait of a marriage as it is a young man with autism.
Honest but funny
Pell and Normal describe hopes shattered, dreams deferred and victories gained in this brave, funny and searingly honest memoir
A candid and frequently funny book.
Tenderly opening a private door to a personal story ... a stunning read that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved
What leaps off the page is that there's a lot of joy and love in this family
Parents of autistic children will find it indispensable ... courageous
All stars
Most relevant
This is the first whole audio book I've finished without dipping into another along the way. I found the account of family life with a person with mildly severe autism to be intriguing, illuminating, and -oddly, to my mind- peaceful. I enjoyed hearing the authors' voices emerge, both literally and figuratively. I adored the lack of pretension and the joy woven throughout the narrative. I appreciated the time taken to share how & why the "players" in this evolving scenario might have responded as they did; far from preachy or all-knowing, I found the tone inviting and encouraging. A great listen, I wholeheartedly recommend it!

A lovely honesty.

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