To Siri with Love

Narrator Cris Dukehart brings alive the family interactions in Newman's collection of memoir-style essays about her autistic son, Gus. Much of what we learn about Gus comes from three-way conversations between Newman, Gus, and Henry, Gus's neurotypical twin. Dukehart voices Gus with minimum inflection and range, while she portrays Henry with a teenager's cadence and tone. Dukehart's first-person voicing of Newman requires a nuanced range of narrative skills, including those of a journalist, as she explains the history and science of autism; an advocate, as she argues for better employment opportunities and increased education; and a mother. It's that last role--portraying Newman's hopes, quirks, and opinions (though not all listeners will agree with her views)--in which Dukehart captures the "collateral anguish" experienced by Newman's family as well as their progress and quiet victories. R.W.S. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

July 1, 2017

Expanding her internationally acclaimed New York Times op-ed article into a full-length book of the same name, Newman shares insights into her experience living with family members who have autism. Newman relates how her son Gus has helped her and her family see the world through his eyes and what a revelation that has been for them. Beginning when Gus and his twin brother were born and continuing through to the present, Newman shares her sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and always insightful and upbeat recollections of their life. She touches on many of the issues of autism, but this is not a "how to" book. It is a positive yet honest look into one family's journey with autism, and among others, how technology, especially Siri, was helpful to Gus. Straightforward and to the point, Newman's book presents a realistic yet optimistic view of autism in their family. VERDICT Parents of a child on the autism spectrum as well as caregivers, siblings, and extended family will benefit from reading this uplifting title. Suitable for any library with parenting and autism collections.--Lisa Jordan, Johnson Cty. Lib., Overland Park, KS

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2017
How Apple's Siri made a life-altering difference for an autistic boy.Expanded from a viral New York Times op-ed column she penned in 2014, this new book by Allure contributing editor Newman (You Make Me Feel Like an Unnatural Woman: Diary of a New (Older) Woman, 2004, etc.) compiles bittersweet anecdotes about her son Gus' bond with the Apple app Siri. "Autism does not entirely define my son, but it informs so much about him and our life together," writes the author, who birthed twin sons Gus and Henry prematurely. Writing with wit, humor, and effervescent honesty, Newman charts her history with twin sons who became distinctly different even prior to their first birthdays. Gus began exhibiting a marked lack of interest in his surroundings, eating only one food type at a time, and notable developmental and communicative delays. When he was diagnosed at age 6 as being on the autistic spectrum, Newman asked herself why and attempted to find and place causative blame. As Gus matured, she was continually heartbroken by the cruelty of children and even ill-mannered adults, yet she was also empowered to make a difference in her son's life by observing, learning, and making his experience as close to happiness as she could. Among the many challenges were Gus' growth impediments and numerous doctor appointments where she felt judged. The author also shares stories of how Henry grew up as the doting brother who always loved Gus yet often became exasperated. Early on, Gus had an affinity for music and singing, and Newman writes gleefully of his development of a "relationship" with Siri. This odd yet endearing pairing comprises the book's rewarding and adorable closing third, a funny, warmhearted narrative of wry wisdom derived from the foibles of both Gus and Henry and powered by a maternal love that autism could never compromise. "In a world where the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us," writes the author, "it's worth considering another side of the story." A powerful and heartfelt "slice of life" tale.

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