Matthew's Enigma

Reviews / Votes

"[Matthew's Enigma ] is at once the journal of a father following closely the development of his son with autism, from childhood to a youth brutally interrupted by death, and a detailed study of the literature on autism, full of personal insights.... This extraordinary book is a profound meditation on the fragility and the enigma of human existence itself." -Norman Manea, author of On Clowns: The Dictator and the Artist "Calinescu paints an intimate and poignant portrait... one of the most interesting narratives about autism to date." -Library Journal "... Calinescu's memoir... offers crisp insights into the autistic mind, while demonstrating the real gifts of parenthood: the chance to know another human well, to accept your differences and, on good days, to glory in them." -Nuvo, May 13, 2009 "Matthew was a gentle and kind young man who left this world too early. Matthew's Enigma highlights the various stages of his life from birth to his early death at age 25 and provides thoughtful commentary and insights into the various aspects of autism." -Cathy Pratt, Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism "Beyond the appeal to parents, teachers and caregivers of special needs individuals, Calinescu's story offers vivid lessons in acceptance: 'All people are different, and the degree of difference does not matter.'" -PW Annex Reviews, March 9, 2009 "Through both real-time diary entries and passages written with the wisdom of time, [Calinescu] creates a compelling picture.... Among the best-written portraits of a son with autism and a father's desire to understand him." -Deborah Barnbaum, author of The Ethics of Autism "Great insight from a father's perspective on living with an autistic child, especially the parts of the book that describe how this father served as a mentor for his autistic son. They had a great relationship." -Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures