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Thorlak of Iceland: Who Rose Above Autism to Become Patron Saint of His People
Iceland's history is told in the stories of its celebrated figures. From Viking explorers to Saga heroes, the voices that define Icelandic culture are well known. Yet one man in Iceland's past had difficulty finding the words to form his own voice and be known for who he really was: Thorlak Thorhallsson, declared by his people "The Patron Saint of Iceland" in 1198 and officially canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Yet, despite these honors, few have ever heard Thorlak's complete and true story: A child prodigy treated as an adult by those around him, a sorrowful boy from a broken home, a scholar of the emerging theology of merciful love, an innovator in pastoral leadership, and a man who understood the fundamental need to love and be loved. Thorlak of Iceland is an opportunity at last to celebrate this quiet hero who embodies the spiritual heart of the Icelandic people, and to learn from his inspiring true story wisdom for our own age.
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Author’s Note: In the five years since Thorlak of Iceland was published, I have received a great deal of feedback about the phrasing of the subtitle (“… Who Rose Above Autism…”). Many dislike the suggestion that autism is something to be conquered, discarded, or left behind. So do I. As an autistic person, I reject that connotation, and nothing could be further from the original intention in choosing that subtitle. The fact is, “autism” was not a term in St. Thorlak’s lifetime, but the cultural disdain for vulnerability was the same then as it is today. St. Thorlak’s accomplishments were neither in spite of, nor because of, his autistic traits; they were the fruits of his consecrating those traits which made him vulnerable, for God to use to benefit everyone in Thorlak’s path. In that sense, he “rose above” the idea that disabilities need to be cured or concealed in order to be successful. A reader would need to finish the book before that becomes clear. I realize this now, and I apologize for unknowingly reinforcing unhelpful and hurtful stereotypes. I would like to put forth the suggestion that “rise above” can mean something different when we accept and embrace our neurodiversity, versus when we are told by nonautistic people that our value as people is measured by our ability to conform. Readers will note the subtitle has been modified for the Kindle edition to eliminate this ambiguity, while the print edition carries the original subtitle as it was registered. I pray that the life and example of St. Thorlak as told herein will offer a new meaning of “rise above” to include when a person stands strong in what others condemn as weakness. – Aimee O’Connell, November, 2023
* * * * *
Author’s Note: In the five years since Thorlak of Iceland was published, I have received a great deal of feedback about the phrasing of the subtitle (“… Who Rose Above Autism…”). Many dislike the suggestion that autism is something to be conquered, discarded, or left behind. So do I. As an autistic person, I reject that connotation, and nothing could be further from the original intention in choosing that subtitle. The fact is, “autism” was not a term in St. Thorlak’s lifetime, but the cultural disdain for vulnerability was the same then as it is today. St. Thorlak’s accomplishments were neither in spite of, nor because of, his autistic traits; they were the fruits of his consecrating those traits which made him vulnerable, for God to use to benefit everyone in Thorlak’s path. In that sense, he “rose above” the idea that disabilities need to be cured or concealed in order to be successful. A reader would need to finish the book before that becomes clear. I realize this now, and I apologize for unknowingly reinforcing unhelpful and hurtful stereotypes. I would like to put forth the suggestion that “rise above” can mean something different when we accept and embrace our neurodiversity, versus when we are told by nonautistic people that our value as people is measured by our ability to conform. Readers will note the subtitle has been modified for the Kindle edition to eliminate this ambiguity, while the print edition carries the original subtitle as it was registered. I pray that the life and example of St. Thorlak as told herein will offer a new meaning of “rise above” to include when a person stands strong in what others condemn as weakness. – Aimee O’Connell, November, 2023
269 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2018
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Aimee O'Connell
4 books5 followersAimée O'Connell began the Mission of Saint Thorlak in 2017 (now "Autism Consecrated") with the goal of discussing autism and spirituality via the example of its namesake, St. Thorlak of Iceland. Her writing springs from her Carmelite spirituality, background in school psychology and autistic perspective. Aimée has authored the Novena in Honor of Saint Thorlak, approved in 2018 by Bishop David B. Tencer of Reykjavik; and Thorlak of Iceland, a full-length contemporary biography of Iceland's only native (and autistic) saint. She is presently a chief contributor to Autism Consecrated, an online spiritual resource for autistic spirituality representing the realization of the Way of Saint Thorlak.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 9, 2021
As person who spent a significant part of my early teens browsing Nightmare Fuel sections of TV Tropes, reading gossip threads on Kiwi Farms, and reading offensive satirical articles on Encyclopedia Dramatica to cope with being bullied at school for my autism, I believed my heart to be as cold and hard as ice.
After reading this book, however, I realized that I was gravely wrong.
As I read through Thorlak's story, I experienced a feeling that I never felt as I grew to manage my autism and follow my college studies to the book - A feeling that I wasn't alone.
After reading this book, however, I realized that I was gravely wrong.
As I read through Thorlak's story, I experienced a feeling that I never felt as I grew to manage my autism and follow my college studies to the book - A feeling that I wasn't alone.
October 24, 2018
Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views (10/18)
“Thorlák of Iceland” by Aimee O’Connell is the mostly unknown story of an autistic boy from Iceland who was able to rise and become his nation’s Patron Saint. The author begins with Thorlák’s birth one winter windy night in February. He was born in the farmstead of Hliꝺarendi. Son of Halla and her fisherman merchant husband named Thórhall, Thorlák was named after the Viking god of thunder, with the addition of ‘Lák’ which described his personality perfectly as a playful contender hopeful of victory; a trait that would be useful facing all the challenges waiting for him on the path he will forge in history.
Thorlák’s childhood is spent with his two sisters much like all others in Iceland during the twelfth century. Their days were spent laboring the land and tending livestock in the southern coast of Iceland. But even during his mundane farming upbringing, young Thorlák would find himself studying the stars and letting his mind wander through the sky’s mysteries. As an inquisitive young mind, he loved stories, especially about his ancestry as told by his mother. His family had only one book, a Latin book of Psalms, and by the age of six he had already deciphered and memorized it. Through this book he developed an interest in God and human nature and builds a reputation of a child prodigy. But the opportunity of an education that would cultivate his mind and spirit wouldn’t be realized until hard times came upon his family when he was 9 years old, and the Oddaverjar took him in as part of a financial arrangement with his father. That would be the true beginning of “Thorlák’s journey…
Aimee O’Connell did an amazing job researching and presenting readers with a well written biography of Iceland’s patron saint. Her story is filled with little known historical information and inspiration not only for Catholics, but also for any reader, especially those who are or know anyone with Autism. The fact that an autistic boy was able to accomplish what he did in early historical times, through his own issues and the community resistance is remarkable and will serve as a role model for many kids. But the fact that the accomplished author of this book is also autistic is mind blowing and even more inspiring to me. Her narrative voice is almost musical and transports the reader into the story. Her writing skills are impeccable.
“Thorlák of Iceland” by Aimee O’Connell is a five-star biography of an inspiring historical figure from the Catholic Church. His life is definitely inspiring to all. A must-read I recommend with flying colors.
“Thorlák of Iceland” by Aimee O’Connell is the mostly unknown story of an autistic boy from Iceland who was able to rise and become his nation’s Patron Saint. The author begins with Thorlák’s birth one winter windy night in February. He was born in the farmstead of Hliꝺarendi. Son of Halla and her fisherman merchant husband named Thórhall, Thorlák was named after the Viking god of thunder, with the addition of ‘Lák’ which described his personality perfectly as a playful contender hopeful of victory; a trait that would be useful facing all the challenges waiting for him on the path he will forge in history.
Thorlák’s childhood is spent with his two sisters much like all others in Iceland during the twelfth century. Their days were spent laboring the land and tending livestock in the southern coast of Iceland. But even during his mundane farming upbringing, young Thorlák would find himself studying the stars and letting his mind wander through the sky’s mysteries. As an inquisitive young mind, he loved stories, especially about his ancestry as told by his mother. His family had only one book, a Latin book of Psalms, and by the age of six he had already deciphered and memorized it. Through this book he developed an interest in God and human nature and builds a reputation of a child prodigy. But the opportunity of an education that would cultivate his mind and spirit wouldn’t be realized until hard times came upon his family when he was 9 years old, and the Oddaverjar took him in as part of a financial arrangement with his father. That would be the true beginning of “Thorlák’s journey…
Aimee O’Connell did an amazing job researching and presenting readers with a well written biography of Iceland’s patron saint. Her story is filled with little known historical information and inspiration not only for Catholics, but also for any reader, especially those who are or know anyone with Autism. The fact that an autistic boy was able to accomplish what he did in early historical times, through his own issues and the community resistance is remarkable and will serve as a role model for many kids. But the fact that the accomplished author of this book is also autistic is mind blowing and even more inspiring to me. Her narrative voice is almost musical and transports the reader into the story. Her writing skills are impeccable.
“Thorlák of Iceland” by Aimee O’Connell is a five-star biography of an inspiring historical figure from the Catholic Church. His life is definitely inspiring to all. A must-read I recommend with flying colors.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews