Reviews

Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary

sorcery_and_stories's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

2.5

alexauthorshay's review against another edition

3.0

McCreary states in the beginning of the book that his work is less a guide in terms of symptoms and more a guide to his own life and how having autism has affected it. It's a bit like a memoir, but he does offer some commentary and analysis about living with autism. It's a very quick read, with large text and spacing (categorized as teen at my library) and I finished it in a couple hour sitting. It mostly focuses on his journey into comedy, though his having autism is intrinsically linked to that. A good resource if you're looking for personal stories instead of academic works, and true to form, humorous in places. But definitely not focused on education.

dreaming_ace's review against another edition

4.0

A fun and funny book about Michael McCreary and his experience growing up autistic and doing comedy.

heidirgorecki's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

I wish I had had this book when my teenage daughter was first diagnosed. While it’s not a ton of information or covering every scenario since it’s a memoir, it was so practical hearing Michael’s perspective and experiences both of what it looks like to be level 1 autistic, especially his social and friendship interactions. The humor added some levity into it as well so it wasn’t heavy or laborious to get thru. I appreciated his vulnerability and candidness as someone navigating the work on the spectrum. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine. 

keepcalmblogon's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic came out in March, 2019, but the audiobook was recently available to request on NetGalley. My friend Kristen told me about it, knowing it looked like something we’d both be interested in reading. Thanks to Annick Press, my request was approved and I was able to read this audiobook in one sitting! Michael McCreary, the author, narrated the book himself, which is something I enjoy in non-fiction because who knows better how to deliver a message than the writer–especially one who is a stand-up comedian?! 

McCreary’s anecdotes about his life on the spectrum are at times universal, while other times definitely unique to him, and that’s an aspect about memoir I enjoy a lot, because while we are all different, seeing ourselves in others brings connection to the human experience.

While much of McCreary’s story is specific to his own life and experience, his overall message was that of understanding and accepting each other’s differences. He makes it very clear that autism does not look the same on everyone, and even shares how his autism differed to nearly the opposite for his brother, and that it’s important to see people as they are.

I enjoyed this quick audiobook, and I’m glad I now have a new comedian to look out for! Five stars!

chamsae's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

2.0

thomasr417's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

lisamchuk's review against another edition

5.0

Funny. Informative. Honest. Recommend.

bibliovino's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

4.0

A humorous and honest portrayal of life on the spectrum, filled with anecdotes, advice and heart. I think you’ll love the wit and wisdom of this young comedian!

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for my copy. These opinions are my own.

jessejane306's review against another edition

funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I love it when comedians read their own audiobooks. They’re performers for a living so it’s always fun to hear them tell their story. Despite being only 23 at the time of writing, McCreary has a story to tell. 

Being autistic and a comedian makes him a great person to talk about his personal experiences and the realities faced by everyone in the ASD community. I imagine some realities (bullying) are fairly common across the spectrum. I appreciated the short and casual education McCreary provided about the disorder along with personal stories.

McCreary and his younger brother are excellent examples about how 2 people can have the same disorder manifest in wildly different ways. I know a little and I still learned things. 

I’ve only got one complaint. This is the first audiobook with visual elements that insists I visit a website. The others came with downloadable PDF attachments. That is a much better idea. 

The biggest reason why a short memoir by a young guy is worth reading? “To my autistic readers, you are not alone.” I look forward to more from Colin in the future.