Show Me Your Face

by Pete Palamountain

"Fantastic read." "A heartwarming plot." "Terrific medical thriller." "This story touched my heart. So worth reading." "Was so interested in this autism novel that I decided not to take my sleeping meds so I could finish it last night. I reluctantly read the last page at 2 a.m. I didn't want it to end." "Impossible to read the last chapter without a tear...or at least a lump in your throat." "Special needs parents concerned with autism or Aspergers syndrome will cherish this book." In an age (late 1960’s and early 1970’s) when charlatans and medical quacks reigned in the treatment of autism, and when “refrigerator mothers” were blamed for the disorder, Peggy Raintree, a courageous mother, refuses to believe the myth that she caused her son’s autism by rejecting him at the breast—so she sets out to find her own answers. But will she be prevented from using her creative, new ideas to reach her strange little boy? And will he ever be able to show her his true face? Peggy deals with the pressures in her life with strength and grace, and even in her darkest moments never loses sight of her goals. She is not perfect, either as a parent or spouse, but she is warm, clear-thinking, and brave. The incidences of autism have skyrocketed in the last twenty years. This novel dramatizes the struggle to understand this phenomenon. It explores the foolish medical myths of the last forty years as well as the roots of the promising new ideas that have helped hundreds of boys and girls with autism in recent years. "Very few books have the power to make me weep, but the last scene with Billy made me bawl." "Autism fiction at its best." "...Legal drama--family court. I learned so much."

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2011

About the author

Born in Orange County, California. Grew up in Covina, about 20 miles east of L.A.

Started writing in the sixth grade. I passed my stories around to the other kids in the class. I've never gotten over the sheer pleasure of watching them respond. I still feel the same way. When one of my books today causes someone to laugh or cry or think more clearly, I experience the same pleasure I did as a boy.

Reviews

[Judy Mccollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a slow reader but I could not put this book down. It deals with a lot of issues - the strength and wisdom of a strong woman who deals with a child with autism while also raising another child. I liked the lawyer in this book. He was funny and he was a good lawyer. I don't want to be a spoiler here. But everyone who reads this book has left favorable reviews. Pete Palamountain did a great job of writing this fiction but very believable story.

[sylvia douglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

So real it could be nonfiction!

*****
I have a mentally challenged son and I know how physically and mentally challenging it is! This author did a great job of making me feel the pain! The story was sad but well written. Peggy is my hero, she was the best mom ever!
Great book!

[Wright Forbucks · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHOW ME YOUR FACE is a story of a mother and her autistic son. It is a well written and captivating story. Years ago when a friend of mine had a child with Asperger's Syndrome (a relatively minor embodiment of Autism) I remember being with a group of parents that called the kid "the devil child" due to his distinctly non-social behavior which included hitting other children with a log. Since then I've had direct experience with autism. SHOW ME YOUR FACE is the book I wish I read when I was a young parent for it not only presents the gradual shock of the condition's discovery, but it also describes the on-going struggle to deal with the ignorance of others in addressing the many challenges of raising an autistic child. What's nice about this book is it is not overly preachy (if that's even a word). It simply tells the story of a mother living her life while also raising an ultimately gifted child. SHOW ME YOUR FACE is a compelling story of persistence that has a great ending. It deserves a home on every parent's Kindle.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing story about autism treatments and attitudes in the late 60s/early 70s. Much of the plot was kind of predictable, but still a great story with great history of a subject that obviously gets a lot of my attention. Lovely, satisfying ending!