Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 616.89820092
EAN num: 9780812920420
ISBN number: 0812920422
Label: Crown
Manufacturer: Crown
Page Count: 219
Printing Date: October 13, 1992
Publishing house: Crown
Release Date: October 13, 1992
Sale Popularity Level: 809146
Studio: Crown
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Labeled deaf, retarded, disturbed and insane, Donna Williams lived in a world of her own. Alternating between rigid hostility and extroversion, she waged what she termed her 'war against the world.' She existed in a dreamlike state, parroting the voices of those around her in the hope that they would leave her alone. Few people understood her, least of all Donna helself.
It was not until the age of twenty-five that Donna discovered the word- autism- that would at last give her the opportunity to understand herself and begin to build a bridge to join the world as most know it.
Nobody Nowhere, Donna Williams' extraordinary autobiography, is her heroic endeavor to come to terms with autism. This eloquent memoir reveals a fierce intelligence, great creativity and much humour. It will shatter many myths and misconceptions.
The poetic sensibility and extraordinary insights of Nobody Nowhere make it inspiring reading for everyone.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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As the parent of an autistic, I have searched near 30 years for answers of my sons strange self. Medical persons were unable to help and autistic Eli had no speech. Donnas book is an unusual write as she gives depth and reason to many autistics traits with reasoning and feeling. Her journey is one of incredible strength and she is brilliant in her words and talents today. Her childhood was tragic but she managed to find her way..on her own. To combat and bring herself to a level of functioning acceptance. I shall read this again and would like to recommend- Nobody Nowhere-to each person searching for answers about autism or any person looking to experience a wonderful read. Thank you Donna for sharing your life. it certainly has helped mine. Carol
Rated by buyers -
I was mesmerized the very first time I read this enchanting book; not only was the subject matter interesting and well represented, the selection and particular combination of word choice makes beautiful reading.... she could write about underwater basketweaving and make it magical, so stunning is her prose; I use excerpts from this book with my students as an example of beautifully written, highly descriptive (in an innovative way) writing. She takes the reader on an intense, personal journey inside the mind of autism and rewards them with a new comprehension and understanding. I love the way she so matter-of-factly expresses internal thought processes using such original language. This book provides a new appreciation of verbiage for readers and will whet their appetite for more.
Rated by buyers -
Autism is just one aspect of a person who has it. Donna Williams has autism, and she also happens to have every character trait and ability of a damn fine writer. I've learned quite a bit about autism in my role as editor, but nothing like this. It's as close as you're going to get to understanding the condition without having it yourself, and it's compelling reading. If you're working in the field, or you have a family member with autism, I'll just assume you've already read this. I'm recommending it to everybody else, too. We read to leave our own lives for a while and learn about something we've never experienced, right? Here's one of the best opportunities you'll ever have to do that.
Rated by buyers -
If I could describe this book in one word it would be "safe." Donna's world winsomely twinkles, it's no wonder she--and all autistics--find the "real" world terrifying. She describes in childlike trust and a type of naive bluntness her inability to connect with others. Her bluntness is not synonymous with bravado, and that becomes quite clear as she tells of her harrowing childhood. This book is autistic, and beautifully so.
The terror and climax of the book fades in and out, just as she does. In one clip of prose she is talking about her often saddening childhood and in another, fantasms and wisps, or the feel of fingers tapping out a rythym. Five stars and a standing ovation for her dreamy bravery and fighting forthrightness. Anyone who works with an autistic, is an autistic or loves an autistic or even knows an autistic should read this book.
Rated by buyers 
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The most revelatory things about her state of mind are her claimed psychic abilities (seeing the future in dreams), an amplified sense of personal space (feeling claustrophic when people came near her or touched her), and a lack of understanding of the purpose of commas and periods in writing (just putting them in at random intervals).
She covers not wanting to be seen as a freak, but acknowledges no motive for human interaction beyond that. She mustn't have been acting dissociative ALL the time, but the book only covers dissociative feelings and as such seems to show an incomplete picture. It's more of an "outsider staring into space" story than an "outsider looking in" story. I was hoping for the latter so maybe I just wasn't attuned to the point of the book.
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