What a fascinating thing it is, for a French reader, to read an openly religious novel, it is not, at all, a common thing in my country. But I was so gladly surprised to find religion in the text as a means to express hope and to find solace in faith, and not as proselytism. In the same way, I do believe that this story could touch a very large audience, it has every big emotions of a melodrama but with the subtlety and the truthfulness of a memoir. I believe in this book to put disability in the spotlight for the public, in a very intelligible way, which is important given the huge misunderstandings people have regarding autism. By the way, the hero’s family structure is written in a way that answers so many questions the readers might have, from how to deal with a condition, how to find the right place for one’s child or how to fight for acceptance.

As it is not easy to be autistic, the writer does not make it easy for the reader to get into the book. The style is extremely quick, short sentences, scarce clear ideas, one bumps into the words as Juke faces a difficulty. It is so hard and yet so moving to read about his struggles, and to realize how aware he is -despite of his mental state- of how people perceive him, how they change their demeanour to despise, pity or patronize him. The immersion inside is mind is done with great ambition, as it is both mundane and almost fantastic, as he disappears into lucid dreams where he tries to find meaning. Getting up in the morning is as much a battle as the war between Good and Evil, and every day gone by is a small step froward ; which is both extremely relatable and specific to autism.

To sum up, I will undoubtedly wait for a translation (which I know will not come soon), because such pertinence is precious.

OF THE NOBLE AND GREAT ONES: a uniquely crafted tale of neurodivergence.
I have always had a soft spot for fiction that portrays disability, And I like it even more when said portrayal is touching without being overtly sappy, so when I read the description for this novel, I knew I was in for something unique. Juke, the protagonist, is a nineteen-year-old young man with autism, who is nonverbal and has violent outbursts. Sent to an assisted living home after one of those outbursts, young Juke copes with the feelings he cannot articulate comprehensively by imagining an alternate fantasy world where two spirits who are about to be born into the world are struggling against Satan and dragons, and all manner of challenges. The family is an LDS family, and the book includes some references to the Bible and the Book of Mormon, but the creative, unique look it provides into the mind of a neurodivergent person is the main reason readers will be thoroughly rewarded. It is not a preachy book whatsoever, and its striking manner of expression will stick with readers. I am a richer person, spiritually speaking, for having met Juke, inhabited his world, and so will you be. Ten out of five. A must-read.