… funny & thoughtful …

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Another Us centres on Emma and her son’s diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome. It is funny, thoughtful and absorbing. I loved it. After great digital sales, the publishers are bringing the story out in paperback today. Kirsten is a friend of mine and the novel is based on her own experiences. Her lovely son has just turned 21 and at 11, he was diagnosed with mild Asperger’s syndrome. I asked her some questions about the book and her life …

How would you describe your son? My son is smart, brave, funny and kind. He loves gaming and cats, hates cheese and walking slowly. He’s a young man, with all the complexity, contradictions and idiosyncrasies that entails.

… and his reaction to the book? When I started writing my novel, he thought it great I was considering including a character who was on the spectrum, but cautioned against making that character the hero, villain or victim. ‘They can just be a person, Mum,’ he said.

You made this a comedy? Definitely! I wish someone had told me that the future isn’t all doom, gloom and despondency. Aspies – people with Asperger’s – bring focus and attention to detail. They think outside the box. They embrace technology. It also means employers want to work with them. I wanted to write a book that was honest but also looked to the positive. I wish someone had told me the toddler who couldn’t walk at two would be running cross country in the national championships at 13, and that the 17-year-old I was convinced would never have a social life was, at 19, doing the 4am ‘creep’ up the front steps. I wish someone had told me to try not to panic. It usually works out in the end …

Another Us by Kirsten Hesketh  was published on May 2020 as an e-Book by Canelo. The paperback is out 20 August 2020.