Thursday, February 12, 2009

School Book Review

John Elder Robison’s memoir, Look Me In The Eye, is very logically organized.  That is, in an outline, the topics follow a sensible progression.  The first third of the book details Robison’s childhood, the second, his life as an adult, and the third digresses: he pontificates his thoughts on marriage, having children himself, coping with aspergers syndrome, and coping with the death of his father. 

Unfortunately, this logical flow lacks the aesthetic poignancy a more focused memoir could have.  This is no doubt in part, or in whole, because of Robison’s Asperger Syndrome.  His inability to navigate the subtle social cues, and irrational quality of some emotion is a major them in the book, and the book itself is a representation of it. Filled with fascinating stories, and hilarious misadventures, but ultimately lacking in profound reflection, the book reminds me of a rock star’s memoir.  Rather than provoke the extraordinary from the ordinary, Robison has led a fascinating enough life to simply throw it on paper.  In fact, Robison is something of a rock star, albeit a nerdy one.  An electronic creative genius.  His intrument?  His brain.

Though evidence of his Asperger’s showed at a young age (though at the time it had not been given a name, and was badly misdiagnosed) it is difficult to tell how much John Elder’s tumultuous family life effected the progression of his condition.  His father was a drunk, and his mother suffered from psychosis.  John’s brother may have bore the brunt of their substandard parenting; John himself succeeded in abandoning ship sometime before the most disturbing episodes recounted in Augusten Burrough’s memoir, Running with Scissors.

Along with a penchant for questionably amusing practical jokes (including a fake hanging) Robison also developed a talent for electronic modification during his younger years.  His ability to manipulate sound equipment became valuable after he quit school, and began working with the band Fat.  Eventually, Robison became a formidable player in the music industry, and began creating the special effects guitars used by Ace Frehley of KISS. 

Rock n’ Roll can wear anybody out, and desperate for regular pay, Robison doctored a resume and got a job designing toys for Milton Bradley.  As an engineer, his special skills were put to use, and he was happy.  Later, as an executive in a variety of other positions with other companies, his social setbacks became clear, and he was not. 

John settled finally in the business of refurbishing and reselling classy automobiles.  His first marriage ended, his second began, he learned to be a father, and more or less, he lives happily ever after now. 

In the last few chapters, John Elder speaks often about the relief he felt after being diagnosed late in life with Aspergers.  Inadequacies he had felt all his life about lacking legitimacy in academia, and feeling like an outcast have finally been dispelled as John has gotten proper support and understanding.  He explains in part some of the idiosyncratic systems he employs in social settings as an Aspergian, and implores the reader to take the time to better understand the disease.

Robison’s memoir isn’t just about Aspergers; it’s also about anybody who grows up feeling as though they don’t fit in, anybody who fails to play social games well.  It is a testament to the power of will.  Not all the early misfits of the world have Robison’s intelligence; and in this, he becomes a poster child, a success story, the American Dream even.  Here is a man who, after dropping out of high school, has suceeded using sheer ingenuity and smarts.   

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