I didn’t entirely know what I was getting into when I picked up this book other than the synopsis. And reading it has left me feeling sick in the stomach. It’s a topic I’d never given much thought to–the treatment of autistic people or the mentally challenged–until now. I was raised, like many, to respect people and not make fun of them, and I liked to think that I listened to my mother in that regard. I didn’t give the subject much thought as it never held any relevance in my life. I’ve not had any encounters with anyone autistic except during my childhood, when such things aren’t of consideration to a child (ignorance certainly is bliss).
As I read the last chapters, I recalled a memory of a few years ago during a family gathering where my brother remarked on a video he’d seen of an interview about whether autistic people feel they are treated unfairly or are bothered when made fun of. The interviewee didn’t understand the question, which was the butt of my brother’s joke. And though I’ve never actively made fun of autistic people, I laughed at the joke, and made no effort to rebuke him. I said nothing.
And now I realize in that moment I was no better than the people in the story sitting in that restaurant laughing at the autistic boy working as a waiter, who drops the glasses.
I think this story at its core is about the importance of human connection and love. This is the final revelation that Charlie arrives at before his regression, and the point the entire story has been leading up to. But I don’t feel I can even focus on this, as all I feel as I turn the last page is anger. Anger at the treatment of people in our society simply because they’re different. Angry at the two faced behavior of those towards people who don’t understand what they’re being subjected to. Angry at myself for having been one of those people at one point. And angry at the fact that there is no one particular thing I can even direct my indignation at. It’s frustrating. I can say this is certainly the book which has disturbed me the most so far. The one I found myself pausing the most and shaking my head at while reading.
For those that have read it, I wonder what your reaction was. What did you think of story?
by Tempest051