The Secret Life of a Black Aspie - Anand Prahlad

⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

This is a memoir written by Anand, a Black man born in the 50s with ASD, although he didn't know this for sure until he was an adult. He also has synesthesia, which means he experiences most things in colour rather than images. He describes himself as a child as being pretty volatile and easily upset by bright colours and loud noises, and constantly getting sick or throwing tantrums. But he learns to pass as a "normal person" for most of his life, even being very successful at school and in his career, although he was almost always inwardly in turmoil.

This book is super fascinating. He's neurodivergent, and so that definitely comes through in his writing. He just perceives things differently, and things are described and structured in non-typical ways. That does make it kind of a weird read too, of course. He sees spirits throughout his life, and has an interesting relationship with spirituality and gender. He does a good job giving neurotypical readers a look into what it's really like inside a neurodivergent mind.