A Normal Family, Henry Normal
A Normal Family, Henry Normal
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A Normal Family
Everyday adventures with our autistic son

Author: Henry Normal

Narrator: Angela Pell, Henry Normal

Unabridged: 8 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: John Murray

Published: 03/22/2018


Synopsis

'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

About Henry Normal

Henry Normal is an English comedian, television producer, poet and writer. He co-wrote The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, Paul and Pauline Calf's Video Diaries, Coogan's Run, The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon, Dr Terrible's House of Horrible and The Parole Officer. He is Managing Director of Baby Cow Productions Ltd, which he set up with Steve Coogan, responsible for bringing The Mighty Boosh and Gavin and Stacey to the screen, amongst many others.

About Angela Pell

Angela Pell is a writer for film and TV whose credits include Snow Cake, starring Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman, Gifted, starring Rhys Ifans, and the upcoming adaptation of Naoki Higashida and David Mitchell's The Reason I Jump.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Faith

This book is exactly what it says on the tin! A normal family. So yes, that title is a play on the authors name - Henry Normal, but still, this is the story of a normal family who just happened to have an autistic child. This book is honest and straight forward. It neither asks you to feel sorry for......more

Goodreads review by Hannah

2.5 stars. This book was an interesting glimpse into the authors' family life. Their son Johnny (now a young adult) has complex needs and the book talks about how these affect not only Johnny but also his parents (who co-wrote the book together). I liked the (ultimately) positive way Henry and Angel......more


Quotes

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.

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. The 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

A candid and frequently funny book. Radio Times

Tenderly opening a private door to a personal story ... a stunning read that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved Latest Brighton

What leaps off the page is that there's a lot of joy and love in this family Chortle

Parents of autistic children will find it indispensable ... courageous Five Books