White Noise

by Raelke Grimmer

Fifteen-year-old Emma is woken up by her dad’s nightmares. Again.

On Friday evenings they go running at East Point Reserve to escape. Escape the ripples of grief that still chase them three years after her mum’s death; escape Emma’s autism diagnosis; escape her dad’s work as an emergency room doctor.

At school, Emma has won a spot on the beach volleyball Sports Institute program. The spot that her best friend Summer desperately wanted. And Summer’s family are moving to the other side of town. Their friendship has kept Emma going since her mum’s death but now things are changing between them – and change isn’t something Emma can outrun.

Set in tropical Darwin, White Noise is an achingly true portrayal of girlhood, grief, and autism from the authentic and gripping voice of debut author Raelke Grimmer.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Grief, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Friendship, Family, Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2024

About the author

Raelke Grimmer is a YA author living on Larrakia Country in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. He young adult novel White Noise was published by UWA Publishing 2024. Raelke holds a PhD in creative writing from Flinders University.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5★s
White Noise is the first novel by Australian author, Raelke Grimmer. Fifteen-year-old Emma Llewellyn and her dad, James have been grieving the loss of her mum for three and a half years. Carrying that grief while navigating her teens and all that entails is hard enough, but Emma is on the autism spectrum, which adds another layer of stress.

But they cope. Emma has Summer Yates, her best friend since she was tiny, the Yates family treat her like their own, and she loves school. She and James have their routines. Friday evening running at East Point Reserve, despite the Darwin heat and humidity, followed by fish and chips, helps them shed the week: the ups and downs of school and the hospital ED where James is the registrar.

But there’s always the emptiness that grief leaves behind, and the nightmares from which James emerges shouting prove how hard it is to handle Laura’s absence.

It’s when reps from a Sports Institute test at Emma’s school that she first encounters Elliott Fischer, a Year 11 student who pays her more attention than she’s used to. But when she gains a spot on the beach volleyball team that she knows Summer desperately wants, it puts a strain on their friendship, and when the Yates family moves out to the suburbs, it’s even harder to hold onto their closeness. And the prospect of training in Adelaide, away from everything familiar, is a challenge she’s not sure she can meet.

Her autism means that Emma struggles with socialising in large groups, making eye contact and reading social cues, and can get overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion, leading to shutdowns, not always conducive to friendship or dealing with volatile teenaged emotions, and she wonders if a relationship with Elliott can work…

Grimmer’s depiction of the teenaged autism experience feels thoroughly authentic and highlights how the stress of everyday teen experiences can be magnified for the neurodiverse. Her story explores the stigma of the condition, the scepticism, and the dismissive attitudes that may be encountered by those who are high-functioning. Her protagonist is lucky to have a good relationship with a supportive parent whose advice is sound.

Grimmer’s descriptive prose is gorgeous, her characters are relatable, and this is a tale that will resonate with young adult readers but can also be enjoyed by older generations. An impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by UWA Publishing.

[Sheree | Keeping Up With The Penguins · Rating 3 out of 5]

White Noise will probably be more meaningful and resonant for readers closer to the target demographic. I found some of the adolescent communication failures a bit grating, and there were a few plot threads that just didn’t quite tie together by the end. Still, it’s a perfectly serviceable read, and a quick one if that’s what you’re after.

My full review of White Noise can be found on Keeping Up With The Penguins.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warnings: death of a parent referenced, grief, vomit, alcohol, drug use, several hospital visits, cheating.

Rep: Emma (MC) is cis, white, and autistic. Side sapphic characters.


Thank you to UWA Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emma, our MC, is an autistic teen who lives in Darwin with her dad. Her mum died several years ago and she’s been navigating her life, and the loss of her mum, ever since.

This book was written so beautifully. I know I’m not from the NT, but the way the author has described the heat is something I can understand so well. (For those that don’t know, I live in the ‘desert’ and our summers get pretty hot. But we do get winter, unlike Darwin.)

It’s always so lovely to read a book set in Australia, with things that Aussies would absolutely understand.

Emma is a fantastic character, and she shows that grief comes in many different ways. I adored her relationship with her dad – there was a lot of love there, and it really shone through onto the page.

I feel like all teens will be able to relate to aspects of this book, whether or not they’re autistic (but I feel like us autistic people will relate that little bit more) because this one had so many moments that even I, as a teen in the early 2000s, could relate to.

[hannah! (lowkey gone) · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fine it also seemed like she missed more school than she went to and ate uber eats for every meal which is kinda life goals

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows 15-year-old Emma as she's navigating some major life changes following her mum's death 3 years prior, and her autism diagnosis. Set in beautiful Larrakia Country, this novel provides an authentic and sincere portrayal of girlhood, adolescence, grief, and neurodiversity.

I loved this debut YA Aussie novel! I thought the characters were all extremely well written and thoroughly fleshed out. The writing was captivating and I really struggled to put the book down - I basically binged it in ~24 hours 😅 The setting was beautiful, and even though I've never been to Larrakia Country I felt a certain familiarity just through the vivid descriptions.

The autistic representation was absolutely on point 👌 I think this comes from the author being autistic herself - I loved that she described autistic experiences that I've not seen portrayed in the media (such as interoception differences, higher pain thresholds, masking and the internal experiences that accompany autistic meltdowns and burnout). I can see this book being resonating with a lot of neurodiverse young people!

If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that I enjoy books that explore grief. I thought this was done really well, and I was delighted that we got an insight into how individual the experience is through the differing grief journeys in Emma and her dad. I particularly thought it was great that this was set 3 years after her mum's death, which really hones in that there's no timeline for grief. The bond Emma and her dad share was especially heart-warming 🥰

I really loved this and highly recommend checking out this 4⭐️ read! It’s such an engaging read, that touches upon some difficult topics that I'm sure young people will relate to. I do recommend checking trigger and content warnings before reading this, as some of the themes are quite heavy.

Thank you to UWA Publishing for gifting me my copy 💌

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to UWAP for sending me this book in exchange for a honest review.

Set in Darwin, White Noise follows Emma as she navigates the challenges of grief, trauma, autism and change. She takes a lot of responsibility on supporting her father while trying to cope with the loss of her mother three years prior. There are a lot of heavy topics that the characters are dealing with, I feel like this is important representation due to the amount of teenagers who face these problems today. From the growing pains of having your first boyfriend to the responsibility of being the eldest sibling there is lots for teenagers to relate to. Emma is autistic which is a diagnosis she has before the events of the book. The acceptance of Emma's autism was refreshing to see, it felt like it came from a place of love. There were a lot of loose ends not tied up but I thought this book served as an excellent snapshot of Emma's life in this moment of time. I feel like Grimmer captured Australian life authentically within the pages of this book.

This book would be an excellent addition to a school library and is out now.

[Amy Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....

White Noise is the debut YA novel of Australian author Raelke Grimmer that explores the challenges of adolescence, friendship, and grief, from the perspective of a young fifteen year old autistic girl.

Emma and her father go running each Friday evening to escape. Escape the ripples of grief that still surround them three years after her mum's death; escape Emma's autism diagnosis; escape her dads work as an emergency room doctor. But no matter how much they run, Emma continues to be woken by her dad's nightmares.
Emma's also trying to hold on to her friendships. She's recently and surprisingly won a spot on the beach volleyball Sports Institute program, and she's come to the attention of one of the popular boys. But not all her friends are happy for her. Emma's best friend Summer desperately wanted the chance to escape things at home by getting into the Sports Institute, and now, with Emma getting the spot, their friendship is changing. Summer has always been there for Emma, her biggest supporter and the one who helped her navigate after her mothers death, but this time Emma can't outrun her problems, and she's not sure she's got the tools to fix it.

This book was written with so much care, both in relation to the individualised experiences of grief but also in the portrayal of autism. The relationship between Emma and her father was an absolute highlight with their mutual love, understanding, acceptance, and care on each page. The novel also made me want to revisit the beautiful Darwin. This book is perfect for slightly younger YA readers, and I'd recommend for ages 14 up. Look out for this one hitting shelves from the 1st September.
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Thank you to @uwapublishing and @raelke_writes for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this work. It was very easy to read, I read it in two days, but at the finish I felt vaguely flat. It is primarily an insight into the autistic experience in the world, set in, I think a private school, in Darwin, and also the world of what seems to be fairly privileged 16-18 yr olds. The recent death of Emma's mother and the grieving journey of her and hher father is a strong undercurrent throughout. The lived days of Emma, or Em, who has been diagnosed with autism are well written and give an insight into the personal and social difficulties faced. It also shows how immensely important having a supportive and loving family life is, caring friends and sensitive and sympathetic medical and educational personnel. What it hugely lacks is what all those autistic children and teens without the strong support system that surrounds her face, and how some survive regardless, albeit living mentally, physically and and emotionally exhausting lives. The addition of just one would have provided a better rounded narrative as when Emma has a meltdown, or closes down, her experience bears no relationship with the child of abusive or neglectful family, harsh and unhelpful medical and educational staff. Those people exist. Even in private schools. Also, although it is set in Darwin there is no child with Traditional Australian heritage. All of the characters are glaringly white, attractive, clever and secure in their social and family lives and that goes for Em's background too, all though she also obviously suffers. I tried to read it just for what is, a positive YA about teenagers and autism, but the narrowness of the view spoiled it for me. So, 1 star for the immersion into Darwin, one for the autistic characteristics as experienced by Em which read real.

[Frances Galea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved White Noise!!! Couldn’t put it down.
Easy read in terms of flow but difficult in terms of subject matter. Autism, grief and navigating what it is to be a teenager.
I’ll thinking about this one for a while.

[Kerryn Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a parent I could relate to this so much. It was so familiar and relatable and heartbreaking. It is so hard to understand when you can never understand fully how the world can be so hard and just so much to be in for people with autism. I felt it was captured beautifully. Interwoven with grief, friendship and young love this was a great book. At times I felt there were minor issues with the flow and mi event of the story but they were minor really and didn’t impact my enjoyment of the book.

[Novel Feelings · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot to love about Raelke Grimmer’s debut novel. One of those is the strong sense of place. I’m finding that I love it when a character exists in a specific context, and not just a vague anywhere-town. White Noise is very much grounded in Darwin; though I have never been there, Grimmer’s descriptions of the heat, the food, and the atmosphere help place Emma’s story in context.

I also enjoyed Emma’s relationship with her father. It’s a nuanced depiction of a loving and supportive relationship where the adult is doing his best but also struggling with his own mental health. I finished the book thinking about how everyone needs someone who gets them and is tireless in advocating for them. There is also their shared grief, which hangs over both Emma and her father but affects them in different ways. I thought the story did a lovely job depicting how grief is indeed a wave that comes and goes.

Another thing that I loved about this book was the portrayal of Emma’s experience as an autistic person, including her shutdowns, her sensory needs/experiences, and the “you don’t look autistic” type of ignorance that she encounters. On top of all this, she is navigating significant shifts in the important relationships in her life, whether it is with her best friend, Summer, or a possible love interest. It is a nuanced portrayal and highlights the little things that can add up to become overwhelming for neurodivergent young people.

I genuinely enjoyed the above elements, but I found myself feeling a step removed from emotionally connecting with Emma. I don’t think this is the fault of the writing, but rather it lies with where I am in life and the stories I currently gravitate to. Teenage and older readers who want a contemporary Young Adult story with all the above topics, plus storylines about changing friendships and navigating a romantic relationship, will enjoy this book. I look forward to seeing more of Grimmer’s work in the future.

**

Thank you to UWA Publishing for the review copy.

Review by Priscilla from Novel Feelings blog and podcast - where two psychologists take a deep dive into your favourite books

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being 15 is hard enough.
Being 15 and living with the ever present loss of your mother, an evolving friendship with your best friend, school work, your first relationship, extracurricular sports and an epic amount of visits to the Emergency Department!? It’s a mine field that Emma is tip toeing with impressive grace.
One huge constant - the beautifully authentic relationship she has with her father, ED Doctor James. They are such a united front, wading knee deep through their grief. He has a great understanding and empathy of her autism and how this affects Emma’s ability to exist in a neurotypical world.
‘You don’t need to figure out how to be-‘
‘Yes, I do! That’s exactly what I have to do, every single day.’
Darwin is a picturesque backdrop; Mindil beach market, tropical weather and small town vibes.
This is a delightful YA novel; I’ll be popping it aside for my daughter in a few years.
Such a tumultuous time and Emma’s journey is a positive one for younger minds to follow whilst providing some valuable insight on living with autism and coping with grief.
Thank you to UWA Publishing and Raelke Grimmer for sending me a gifted copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. AD-PR

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit hesitant starting this book at first. As an autistic woman dealing with grief, just like the main character, I feared that the subject matter would be to much for me right now. Instead, White Noise offered me a wonderful sense of catharsis. I don't think I've ever seen autism more accurately portrayed in a book. It's like the thoughts were pulled right out of my head. I loved that it showed the million little struggles that people don't see, like analysing social encounters from ever single angle to make sure you didn't do anything wrong, or knowing that someone is upset but having no idea why or how to fix it. I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Darwin, and seeing a slice of life from a place very different to my own. I wish I could have read this when I was a teenager. Knowing that I was not the only person in the world who felt like that, struggled like that, would have been so reassuring.

[elbow ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
australian ya can often be a bit hit-or-miss, but this was one of the most accurate portrayals of "low support needs" autism that i've ever read (or at least the way that i experience it). the structure of meltdown, school, meltdown, school, felt exhausting to read because that's exactly how exhausting it feels. emma's experience was a very realistic representation of the way that late diagnosed autistic people move through life, particularly girls.

aside from that, i liked the writing style even though it could be described as slightly clipped, with lots of short sentences. the flow was slightly irregular but i think that imitated emma's experience throughout the book.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stunning cover and heartfelt story are a winning combination!

Fifteen year old Emma is trying to escape the ripples of grief that have chased her and her father since her mum’s death. Add to that Emma’s autism diagnosis and her dad’s job as an emergency room doctor and there is a lot to try and outrun.

Emma is also navigating teenage friendships and her first love, as well as the usual pressures of being a teen, all while trying to maintain a mask and avoid the shutdowns she often experiences.

When she wins a coveted spot in the Sports Institute program, a spot that her best friend Summer desperately wanted, its yet another challenge to their friendship. On top of this, Summer, who has been her person since Emma’s mum died, is moving to the other side of town. All these changes are not something Emma can outrun.

White Noise is set in tropical Darwin and the heat and humidity make a perfect backdrop to this story exploring grief, friendships, first love and the experiences of an autistic teen girl. Told with authenticity, rawness and courage, Emma’s story was engaging and heartfelt. I especially loved reading about her relationship with her father. Their bond was so strong and his understanding and love of Emma, no matter what happened, brought me to tears with their many heartwarming moments.

Debut author, Raelke Grimmer, has shone a spotlight on the teen experiences of an autistic girl which was both compelling and aware. I loved this coming of age story and highly recommend it to both teens and adults alike.

[xIISIRENIIx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this with an open mind. It’s not what I usually read and it was chosen for book club. I only gave it 3 stars because it definitely read like a YA book does, it’s quick to keep attention and make it feel like you’ve read a lot.

It was an interesting story, that at times made me feel nostalgic for my own high school years, but also related to the things the main character went through.

I enjoyed it though.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a big reader of YA fiction, but I live in Darwin and I have a teenaged child, so I couldn’t resist checking out this novel. This is a well-written novel, broaching some heavy themes in a very sensitive and age-appropriate manner. I love seeing Darwin depicted on the page, and really enjoyed the main character who is dealing with grief, high school and a recent diagnosis of autism.

[Black Flamed Candle Books 🕯️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this 4.5 stars ⭐️. I personally found the representation of autism in this book rather accurate and relatable, as an autistic person myself. I have and felt the same way as the main character and her experiences with autism, including the high pain tolerance. I could not put this ebook down. I knew it would become one of my new favourites books instantly, especially with my love/hate relationship with some of the characters because they enrage you with their behaviours in the book.

[Teliah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing novel from Raelke! A captivating story of a girl learning to deal with her grief, neurodivergence and illnesses, all while dealing with the dramatics of high school life. Very relatable and well told xo

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this a lot.

[Ann Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very moving coming of age story for teen readers. Beautifully drawn, likeable characters, who traverse the tricky teenage years with angst, love and forgiveness.

[Cass A · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA - recommended for mature Year 8s or Year 9s.

[Ghostly Writer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure what it was exactly, but this unfortunately missed the mark for me personally.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bittersweet, easy read. Lacking in some things but the autism portrayal is reasonably good.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent exploration of neurodiversity in YA fiction.

[Bookishbabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Nice to see a book set outside of a capital city.

[Fiona R · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[pooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the autism rep. solid book

[Jaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that doesn't offend, it's pleasant enough, even when dealing with the trauma of losing your Mother.

I felt it was a surface level read, and didn't quite wade into the depths.

[Jazz Maree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciated the ASD representation. DNF about 60% thu because It couldn’t keep my attention, however I’d love to revisit it in the new year.