Shtum
A funny and uplifting story of families and love
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- 3,99 €
Publisher Description
'An unforgettable first novel' The Times
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THE EBOOK BESTSELLER ABOUT FATHERS, SONS AND LOVE
Ten-year-old Jonah lives in a world of his own.
He likes colours and feathers and the feel of fresh air on his skin.
He dislikes sudden loud noises and any change to his daily routine.
Jonah has never spoken, yet somehow he communicates better than all of the adults in his life.
Inspired by the author's experiences with his own son, SHTUM is a novel about three generations of a family learning to get along.
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'A book with true heart and soul' Joanna Cannon
'Whether you think Shtum is a novel about autism or about marriage (it's both, by the way), you will agree that it is, in the end, a love story infused with wit, charm, and a deep appreciation for the complex beauty of damaged souls.' Jonathan Tropper
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lester's debut, based on his experience of raising a child with autism, is an emotional and uplifting tale of love and sacrifice. Ben and Emma Jewell want the best for their son, Jonah, and they believe that includes placing him in a special residential school for kids with autism. However, obtaining approval for that placement will not be easy. Emma thinks Jonah will have the best chance of getting into the school if they fake a separation, so she convinces Ben to move in with his father, Georg a transition that proves more challenging than anyone imagined. With Emma largely out of the picture, Ben is faced with being a single father to a 10-year-old son who is profoundly autistic, largely uncommunicative, and physically aggressive, while living with a father from whom he is largely estranged. With all these difficulties, Ben must also convince the admissions tribunal that the residential school is the most appropriate placement for Jonah. Complex characters and wonderful descriptions combine to create an honest yet blunt portrayal of the trials and triumphs associated with raising a child with autism.
