Christine Mcguinness: a Beautiful Nightmare

by Christine McGuinness

We all know the fairy-tale. An everyday girl meets her Prince Charming, they get married, have children and ride off into the sunset. Sadly, this isn’t always the case and Christine McGuinness is keen to change the stereotype that marriage, fame and fortune brings an easy and blissful life...This is Christine’s first book, where she tells the world her life story for the very first time. As well as outlining the difficulties and joys of being a mother to three autistic children, the autobiography delves into her anorexia battle, fertility troubles, her marriage, modelling career and tough childhood, subjects which are sensitive and many of which she hasn’t spoken about before.She is a mum of three to eight-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and four-year-old Felicity, all of whom have been diagnosed with autism. In this frank and candid read, Christine reveals the struggles she’s overcome in her life and still battles with today, but at the heart of it, she’s on a mission to learn more about autism and to educate others and change the stigma around the condition.Christine wants to campaign to improve rights for those with invisible disabilities. She wants her children to be able to get a job, have relationships and live independent lives.Alongside writing her book, Christine and her husband Paddy are filming a BBC documentary about autism. It will air this Autumn. In the book, Christine will give readers a detailed insight into what being a full-time mum with three autistic children is like.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Audiobook, Nonfiction

Paperback

Reviews

[Emma Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and insightful read on Christine's life until now, with particular emphasis on autism.
This really shows her resilience and I am in awe of her after reading this.
Not the most well written but doesnt need to be. Its heartfelt, honest and helpful.
If you are interested in autism, definitely read this.

[LR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christine McGuinness! The way she tells her life story (which is heartbreaking) so eloquently is incredible. I love her even more now #massivestan

[Em✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young adult with autism, this is EXACTLY what I needed to read

[Joyce Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, but this book wasnt for me. I have just finished reading a book called ‘This is not a pity memoir’ and I feel this should be the title of Christines book, especially the first few chapters of her life. She was brought up in a simple one parent family, like millions of other people, but she seemed to blame someone else for every single thing that went wrong with her life. Hating school, skiving off lessons, getting drunk, leaving school with no qualifications? I struggled to believe some things. For instance that she was 14 years old, weighed 6 stone and drank a bottle of vodka before she went out every night. Really? I think she would have been in A & E having her stomach pumped if that were true.
As a grandparent of two autistic children myself, I think she made a lot of bad choices with how she coped with their autism in the first few years.
The main thing for me though was that throughout the whole book, written in 2021, she constantly went on about her perfect marriage, how they would never ever put their children through being brought up in a single parent family and they were madly in love. 3 months later she and Paddy have split and she is apparently the happiest she has ever been in her life, without Paddy.
Throughout the whole book she went on about how she hated socialising, being the centre of attention etc. yet the internet is full of photos of her posing happily semi-naked.
A book of half truths and contradictions.

[Kerrie 💫 Rundle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book! After watching the documentary with Christine and Paddy last month I felt like I needed to read this book. Always been a fan of Paddy McGuinness but never realised how much I would relate to Christine. Inspiring woman and such an interesting insight into her life, especially with her personal battle with autism in her children. As a mother with a son who is undergoing assessment for autism currently this book has given been an inspiring and insightful read!

[Emma Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating view of Christine's life and how it has been affected by autism and various other events. She comes across as being incredibly strong and down-to-earth.

I listened to the audiobook, voiced by Gillian Kearney, who gave a wonderful heartfelt performance. I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't Christine talking.

[Jade Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t think this was the most well-written book (quite a bit of repetition for example) but, as someone waiting for her own autism assessment, this did feel like a comfort blanket and the kind of mainstream awareness that is needed, especially for women with ASD. I do admire Christine’s advocacy and wish her the best, she comes across lovely.

[NATALIE PRICE · Rating 5 out of 5]

So honest and helpful

I really enjoyed reading this, she comes across as such a nice person who has gone through so much and really dedicated to her children.This gave a good insight into diagnosis process I would totally recommend this to anyone going through an Autism diagnosis or just at the beginning. She is totally inspirational!

[Caroline Croezen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing woman. An ambassador for The National Autistic Society, Caldwell Children and The Pink Ribbon Foundation. What a difficult childhood she had with her own undiagnosed issues then having 3 children with autism. She comes across as so dignified and brave. Really nice to hear side of the story.

[Sarah Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relatable!

[Shannon Mclarnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, with my eldest having autism. It helps to read other peopl having the same struggles and concerns. Loved this!

[Lyndsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this

[pauline lambe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

What a great insight in the life of Mrs McGuinness.
I could not put the book down and read within 24 hours
Absolute inspiration of a woman.
A must read!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

[Natalie Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good in depth about autism, and showed a good understanding on how autism isnt well shown.

[Susan Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Couldn’t put this book down

[Katie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insight into caring for autistic children and also accidentally into being autistic. A perspective you don't often read so wanted to read this after seeing the documentary about their family.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really honest story of raising 3 autistic children and coming to terms with her own diagnosis. There’s no pretence or fakeness here; Christine is raw, fallible and a warm human being.

[Becca Scammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having watched the documentary 'Our Family and Autism', featuring Paddy and Christine McGuiness, and following their journey with having 3 children with Autism and a subsequent diagnosis of Autism for Christine. I related to their story. I saw so much of myself in Christine and was interested to read her book.

Luckily for me, Xmas was coming and Santa was good to me.

Christine's story is one of triumph over adversity. The book is honest, open, heartbreaking, raw and emotional. But it's also one that is filled with love, hope, family, a mother's love, being a fighter and above all, inspiration. I found myself relating to Christine on so many levels. As a Mum of a child on the spectrum, but also as a girl with a troubled childhood littered with mental health issues. It's one of those books you didn't know you needed to read. But you come out of it not feeling do alone, with more hope and that little bit of spark back ready to fight on.

I believe wholeheartedly in using your voice to make meaningful change in order to help others and with this book, Christine has done just that. So much so, that I am now on a journey of ASD assessment myself. Christine's story has given me that all important push I needed and I know it will help countless others!

A fabulous read!

[amelie powney · Rating 4 out of 5]

very validating indeed. i loved how personal this book felt, like I was almost in conversation with her and how informal it was that we were witnessing her life evolve as she wrote the book

[Lynn Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring

Beautifully written book. Christine is a inspirational lady and fierce Mum. Her openness and honesty make this book a great read.