"No less than a voyage into the deep places of the human spirit and a vision of what lies beneath conventional notions of sanity and aberration" Ruth Rendell "Blastland has performed a remarkable service in baring his family life for us" Simon Baron-Cohen (author of The Essential Difference), Guardian "An uncompromising philosophical inquiry...stands out as a work of rare enlightenment" Sunday Telegraph "Vividly engaging. If you want to know what classic autism is like, close-up and personal then read this book" Uta Frith, PhD, University College London and author of Autism: Explaining the Enigma "Compelling. Read it. Enjoy it. Learn from it. It will haunt you." Bernard Rimland, PhD, consultant for Rain Man"

About the Author

Michael Blastland makes current affair programs for UK radio. He lives in Hertfordshire, often with his daughter Cait, and less often and less quietly with his son Joe.

Reviews

This is the best written, most thought-provoking book on autism I have read in years, suitable for anyone with an interest in humanity. Go out and buy it!
*Autumn 2006 issue*

It's certainly my book of the month
*The Bookseller*

A far superior piece of non-fiction, both poignant and amusing, and instructive without ever becoming preachy
*Scotland on Sunday*

Blastland is likeably honest
*Daily Telegraph (Books)*

A moving story... Blastland has performed a remarkable service in baring his family life for us.
*Guardian (Review)*

It is a brave and frightening book in several ways.
*New Scientist*

An engaging book
*Evening Standard*

Michael Blastland has written a beautiful and deeply thoughtful book about his 10-year-old son Joe.
*The Lancet*

Joe is a book that deserves to be read. It will speak loudly not just to those interested in autism, but to anyone who is fascinated by the full range of what it means to be human.
*Catholic Herald*

From this careful, serious book emerges a man with a quick wit and far-seeing eye for what makes life so peculiar... Joe...stands out as a work of rare enlightenment.
*Seven*

If you read just one book about an autistic child this year, you would do well to make it this one.
*Times Educational Supplement*

His honesty is in keeping with a compelling, brave and highly readable book that never verges on the sentimental.
*Independent*

I can't think of anyone who shouldn't read this book.
*Daily Express*

Joe, the Only Boy in the World is an affecting book. Blastland invokes the ancient African saying that "it takes a whole village to raise a child" and, with this book, he has widened the village to include potentially every reader.
*Sunday Business Post*

Deeply personal and moving ... [Blastland's] beautifully written book offers us a glimpse of the torments endured by the growing number of children born with their cerebral pathways wrongly wired.
*Daily Mail*