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Marcelo en el mundo real
Sí, es cierto, Marcelo Sandoval oye música dentro de su cabeza. También es verdad que Marcelo se pierde si se le deja solo en un lugar que no conoce y que se lo toma todo en un sentido literal.
Padece el síndrome de Asperger, un leve autismo. Desde siempre ha asistido a una escuela especial donde se siente valorado y protegido. Pero un verano antes de acabar la secundaria, su padre le propone un reto: que trabaje en su bufete de abogados. Este desafío le hará enfrentarse al "mundo real", un lugar que siempre le ha aterrado.
Ese verano, Marcelo descubrirá sentimientos como la envidia y la competitividad, la ira y el deseo. Marcelo aprenderá también lo que significa sufrir ante la injusticia.
Un despertar que le hará entender mejor sus propias emociones y conectar con las personas de su alrededor. Descubrirá que, en realidad, no es tan diferente a los demás.
Padece el síndrome de Asperger, un leve autismo. Desde siempre ha asistido a una escuela especial donde se siente valorado y protegido. Pero un verano antes de acabar la secundaria, su padre le propone un reto: que trabaje en su bufete de abogados. Este desafío le hará enfrentarse al "mundo real", un lugar que siempre le ha aterrado.
Ese verano, Marcelo descubrirá sentimientos como la envidia y la competitividad, la ira y el deseo. Marcelo aprenderá también lo que significa sufrir ante la injusticia.
Un despertar que le hará entender mejor sus propias emociones y conectar con las personas de su alrededor. Descubrirá que, en realidad, no es tan diferente a los demás.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2008
354 people are currently reading
30743 people want to read
About the author
Francisco X. Stork
20 books55.5k followersFrancisco X. Stork was born in Mexico. He moved to El Paso Texas with his adoptive father and mother when he was nine. He attended Spring Hill College, Harvard University and Columbia Law School. He worked as an attorney for thirty-three years before retiring in 2015. He is married and has two grown children and four beautiful grandkids. He loves to discover new books and authors. His favorite books are those where the author's soul touches his. He does not read reviews to his books so you should feel free to write whatever you want. Also, he is genuinely interested in learning about books and life from his friends on this site. He would love it if you find his books worthy to be read, but that's not why he wants to be your friend.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,015 reviews
February 20, 2019
first, some blathering. it is, after all, me...
i understand why writers like carl hiaasen and james patterson and them are now writing books for younger readers, after having already established themselves as writers of adult fiction with considerable staying power. get 'em while they are young and then when they grow into the adult section, they already have the name-recognition. friends for life, paying their electricity bills...
but why do authors like this one and suzanne collins write exclusively for the teen audience? and this opinion may be untrue in a post-potter, post-twilight world, but fewer adults are interested in teen fiction than teens are interested in adult fiction. for teens, it is something of an intellectual triumph to cross over into the growed-up section of the library or bookstore, but many adults scoff at reading books for children.
so why choose the teen path if you are an exceptional writer? is this how writers slum?
this book is just wonderful. it is about a high-functioning autistic kid who is forced by his father to spend a summer working for him in his law firm to prove that he can function in "the real world" and doesn't need to be in his safe school surrounded by other kids who are less likely to be able to integrate successfully. during this summer, he questions loyalty and trust and sex and god and a hundred other great things, and he is such an easy character to fall in love with and be thankful that he was written into existence.just a real charmer of a book that doesn't sacrifice realism for shock value.
this would have been a five star book except for two complaints, only one of which is an actual complaint.
i don't know why the characters spoke the way they did. it seemed like this took place in a town where contractions had been banned. it made everyone sound very stiff and stylized. had it only been marcelo, it would have made perfect sense, because of his rigid formality across the board, but the rest of the cast had no such excuse. ''''''''' those are free.
secondly, chinchillas look nothing like "long, skinny rats"
who you calling skinny?
but i loved this book. it is sweet and very naturally written; a real gem of a teen fiction book that i would never have read except for this class.
thanks, grad school!
oh, and another thing! i have felt mildly guilty reviewing these teen books because i have a tendency to curse like a racehorse, and i felt that that might not always be appropriate for the poor innocent teens who might be reading the reviews, and greg has even gotten internet-scolded before for the same thing. HOWEVER, if teen fiction itself is going to drop the f-bombs, then why should i be any different?? thank you francisco x. stork. i mean, fuck.
come to my blog!
i understand why writers like carl hiaasen and james patterson and them are now writing books for younger readers, after having already established themselves as writers of adult fiction with considerable staying power. get 'em while they are young and then when they grow into the adult section, they already have the name-recognition. friends for life, paying their electricity bills...
but why do authors like this one and suzanne collins write exclusively for the teen audience? and this opinion may be untrue in a post-potter, post-twilight world, but fewer adults are interested in teen fiction than teens are interested in adult fiction. for teens, it is something of an intellectual triumph to cross over into the growed-up section of the library or bookstore, but many adults scoff at reading books for children.
so why choose the teen path if you are an exceptional writer? is this how writers slum?
this book is just wonderful. it is about a high-functioning autistic kid who is forced by his father to spend a summer working for him in his law firm to prove that he can function in "the real world" and doesn't need to be in his safe school surrounded by other kids who are less likely to be able to integrate successfully. during this summer, he questions loyalty and trust and sex and god and a hundred other great things, and he is such an easy character to fall in love with and be thankful that he was written into existence.just a real charmer of a book that doesn't sacrifice realism for shock value.
this would have been a five star book except for two complaints, only one of which is an actual complaint.
i don't know why the characters spoke the way they did. it seemed like this took place in a town where contractions had been banned. it made everyone sound very stiff and stylized. had it only been marcelo, it would have made perfect sense, because of his rigid formality across the board, but the rest of the cast had no such excuse. ''''''''' those are free.
secondly, chinchillas look nothing like "long, skinny rats"
who you calling skinny?
but i loved this book. it is sweet and very naturally written; a real gem of a teen fiction book that i would never have read except for this class.
thanks, grad school!
oh, and another thing! i have felt mildly guilty reviewing these teen books because i have a tendency to curse like a racehorse, and i felt that that might not always be appropriate for the poor innocent teens who might be reading the reviews, and greg has even gotten internet-scolded before for the same thing. HOWEVER, if teen fiction itself is going to drop the f-bombs, then why should i be any different?? thank you francisco x. stork. i mean, fuck.
come to my blog!
Read
February 1, 2014I have a lot of conflicting emotions about this book.
The good: It's a fast read and an interesting story. There's shades of gray, interesting moral dilemmas, attention to detail that makes situations and characters come brilliantly to life, and a main character whose situation is way intriguing. An autistic teenager who's gone to a school for disabled kids his whole life, and now suddenly has to adjust to working at his dad's law firm for the summer. There's a lot of inherent conflict and story in there, and for the most part, the book delivers.
I actually really loved reading about his work at the office, as I've been exactly where Marcelo was: autistic teenager brought into the office because of her personal connection with the boss who goes from simple copying to much more complex tasks. I appreciated the detail with which Stork described his work--the challenges, his strengths, the way he could do the work but needed more time for it, his enjoyment at organizing, everything.
I was really excited about this book for several reasons, primarily a) autistic protag!! b) Latino autistic protag, which is great, as the usual portrayal of autism is very, very white, c) Latino autistic protag who ponders issues of religion and ethics, rather than making the entire conflict about his autism, and d) I've seen a lot of good things about the book's portrayal of autism and how it immerses you into Marcelo's PoV.
Unfortunately, that leads me into the bad, as d) is where the book started chafing at me. I particularly struggled with the writing style and how it conveyed Marcelo's thoughts. This is a difficult thing to criticize, because it's entirely possible that many autistic people do think this way, but to me, his point of view came across as distant, almost mechanical. It read like the book was spoon-feeding "autistic reactions" as if for a neurotypical audience to digest--explaining everything for the "abled gaze," if you will.
By this, I'm referring to the way the book is chock-full of lines like, "I like strong smells" and "This is an unexpected response" and "I like this question" and "I do not know what to say to this." I want to believe Marcelo's reactions, rather than be flat-out told about them. It kept me from connecting emotionally. And--as an autistic person who reacts to some things in a very similar manner to Marcelo--I really, really wish I could have felt that connection.
This "autism voice" would probably not have bothered me as much if I hadn't already come across it so often. Again, I'm not saying autistic people don't think that way--that'd be preposterous, and I refuse to speak for autistic people as a whole--but I do take issue with how common it seems to be in fiction, as I don't feel it's representative.
Some other autism-related parts made me wince, too, like a friend's reaction to hearing about the "internal music" Marcelo has heard in his head for a long time, but has stopped hearing now that he's working at the law firm. "This ability you had before, that was out of this world. A special gift, I don't know. What if it was impossible for you to have it and be a regular person? You don't hear the music anymore, but now you can be flesh and blood like... me, for instance."
Another quote: "Marcelo has never felt confusion before. It is painful. There is no peace. No certainty."
In both cases, I don't think I need to explain why it bothered me.
An interesting note that I haven't seen mentioned often: Marcelo seems to be written as asexual. On one hand, I am pleased with this, as we strongly need more asexual representation, including within the autism spectrum. On the other hand, his asexuality never seemed to be explored as being a legitimate sexuality that exists separately from his autism. I ended up unwillingly reading it as being a "side effect" of his autism, rather than him simply happening to be both autistic and asexual. The fault may be with me, but I would have really appreciated a sign that the author was aware of the pitfalls and stereotypes with regards to linking those two together.
As usual, the bad takes far more explanation than the good. I do think this book does a lot of things right, including about the autism: it never portrays Marcelo as ill or wrong; it respects his point of view and reactions; it doesn't demonize or infantilize his experiences at his school; he makes genuine friends and connections; he has hobbies and interests; he is very aware of his privilege as being able to function in a way that's somewhat acceptable to society at large, unlike many of his classmates; et cetera.
So I would cautiously recommend this book--it's an interesting, quick read--but with reservations.
For a more positive look at the portrayal of autism in this book, check out s.e. smith's review at Disability in Kidlit.
The good: It's a fast read and an interesting story. There's shades of gray, interesting moral dilemmas, attention to detail that makes situations and characters come brilliantly to life, and a main character whose situation is way intriguing. An autistic teenager who's gone to a school for disabled kids his whole life, and now suddenly has to adjust to working at his dad's law firm for the summer. There's a lot of inherent conflict and story in there, and for the most part, the book delivers.
I actually really loved reading about his work at the office, as I've been exactly where Marcelo was: autistic teenager brought into the office because of her personal connection with the boss who goes from simple copying to much more complex tasks. I appreciated the detail with which Stork described his work--the challenges, his strengths, the way he could do the work but needed more time for it, his enjoyment at organizing, everything.
I was really excited about this book for several reasons, primarily a) autistic protag!! b) Latino autistic protag, which is great, as the usual portrayal of autism is very, very white, c) Latino autistic protag who ponders issues of religion and ethics, rather than making the entire conflict about his autism, and d) I've seen a lot of good things about the book's portrayal of autism and how it immerses you into Marcelo's PoV.
Unfortunately, that leads me into the bad, as d) is where the book started chafing at me. I particularly struggled with the writing style and how it conveyed Marcelo's thoughts. This is a difficult thing to criticize, because it's entirely possible that many autistic people do think this way, but to me, his point of view came across as distant, almost mechanical. It read like the book was spoon-feeding "autistic reactions" as if for a neurotypical audience to digest--explaining everything for the "abled gaze," if you will.
By this, I'm referring to the way the book is chock-full of lines like, "I like strong smells" and "This is an unexpected response" and "I like this question" and "I do not know what to say to this." I want to believe Marcelo's reactions, rather than be flat-out told about them. It kept me from connecting emotionally. And--as an autistic person who reacts to some things in a very similar manner to Marcelo--I really, really wish I could have felt that connection.
This "autism voice" would probably not have bothered me as much if I hadn't already come across it so often. Again, I'm not saying autistic people don't think that way--that'd be preposterous, and I refuse to speak for autistic people as a whole--but I do take issue with how common it seems to be in fiction, as I don't feel it's representative.
Some other autism-related parts made me wince, too, like a friend's reaction to hearing about the "internal music" Marcelo has heard in his head for a long time, but has stopped hearing now that he's working at the law firm. "This ability you had before, that was out of this world. A special gift, I don't know. What if it was impossible for you to have it and be a regular person? You don't hear the music anymore, but now you can be flesh and blood like... me, for instance."
Another quote: "Marcelo has never felt confusion before. It is painful. There is no peace. No certainty."
In both cases, I don't think I need to explain why it bothered me.
An interesting note that I haven't seen mentioned often: Marcelo seems to be written as asexual. On one hand, I am pleased with this, as we strongly need more asexual representation, including within the autism spectrum. On the other hand, his asexuality never seemed to be explored as being a legitimate sexuality that exists separately from his autism. I ended up unwillingly reading it as being a "side effect" of his autism, rather than him simply happening to be both autistic and asexual. The fault may be with me, but I would have really appreciated a sign that the author was aware of the pitfalls and stereotypes with regards to linking those two together.
As usual, the bad takes far more explanation than the good. I do think this book does a lot of things right, including about the autism: it never portrays Marcelo as ill or wrong; it respects his point of view and reactions; it doesn't demonize or infantilize his experiences at his school; he makes genuine friends and connections; he has hobbies and interests; he is very aware of his privilege as being able to function in a way that's somewhat acceptable to society at large, unlike many of his classmates; et cetera.
So I would cautiously recommend this book--it's an interesting, quick read--but with reservations.
For a more positive look at the portrayal of autism in this book, check out s.e. smith's review at Disability in Kidlit.
March 9, 2009
I actually finished this book a few days ago, and aside from a general glow of well-being and happiness, I wasn't sure what I thought of it. Was it really a five star book to go on my goodreads page? But then, after recommending it once every single day since then, I've realized . . . yep, it is. It's a quiet book, thanks to the subdued narration style on Marcelo's part, but it's a good one.
Marcelo is a very high-functioning autistic -- so high-functioning that even the label Asperger's doesn't quite fit him. He has been "coddled", to a certain extent, all his life, by being allowed to go to a school for autistic children. His father, a high-powered lawyer, thinks it's well past time for Marcelo to join the real world, as he could've years before. In preparation, he has Marcelo get a summer job at his law office -- a crash course in the real world.
As someone who knows a handful of people very like Marcelo -- people with autistic tendencies more than anything else -- I found this book very true and earnest and sweet. Some reviewers have complained that the narration is inconsistent for an autistic narrator, and yes, it would be if Marcelo was truly autistic. But as is mentioned several times in the novel, he really could be out in the world functioning if he hadn't gone to his specialized school. I found the inconsistencies to be intentional, showing how Marcelo is making strides towards becoming normal and then sliding back, and then stepping out again.
I found Marcelo a perfectly wonderful narrator -- kind, principled, and very, very honest with both the reader and with others. Watching him "grow up" in the cutthroat atmosphere of the law office was at once heart breaking and satisfying.
I definitely have been recommending this quiet book to all the introverts in my life.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.***
Marcelo is a very high-functioning autistic -- so high-functioning that even the label Asperger's doesn't quite fit him. He has been "coddled", to a certain extent, all his life, by being allowed to go to a school for autistic children. His father, a high-powered lawyer, thinks it's well past time for Marcelo to join the real world, as he could've years before. In preparation, he has Marcelo get a summer job at his law office -- a crash course in the real world.
As someone who knows a handful of people very like Marcelo -- people with autistic tendencies more than anything else -- I found this book very true and earnest and sweet. Some reviewers have complained that the narration is inconsistent for an autistic narrator, and yes, it would be if Marcelo was truly autistic. But as is mentioned several times in the novel, he really could be out in the world functioning if he hadn't gone to his specialized school. I found the inconsistencies to be intentional, showing how Marcelo is making strides towards becoming normal and then sliding back, and then stepping out again.
I found Marcelo a perfectly wonderful narrator -- kind, principled, and very, very honest with both the reader and with others. Watching him "grow up" in the cutthroat atmosphere of the law office was at once heart breaking and satisfying.
I definitely have been recommending this quiet book to all the introverts in my life.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.***
June 2, 2010
Marcelo Sandoval is 17 and has a mild form of autism which makes him... well, different. Knowing that he is often perceived to be mentally challenged, Marcelo prefers to stay close to the circle of his friends and people who know that there is nothing wrong with him intellectually. He is planning to spend his final school year at Patterson, a specialized school where he is surrounded by the students just like him, he also has a summer job lined up working with horses in his school's stables. However Marcelo's father, Arturo, does not approve of these plans. He wants his son to challenge himself, to learn how to function in the "real world" better, to be prepared for the life outside Patterson's walls. Marcelo has no choice but to surrender to his father's wishes and learn about the "real world" he does...
Marcelo In The Real World is a part story of self-discovery, part criminal investigation, part love story and is definitely one of the strongest examples of quality YA fiction. The story is told from a unique POV of a person whose thought process is different from ours and although I personally do not know any autistic people and can't vouch for accuracy of Marcelo's portrayal, his "voice" sounds authentic.
Marcelo's journey through the "real world" is a compelling one, albeit frustrating and infuriating at times. It is almost unbearable to see him insulted by people who have no understanding of his condition and often treat him as if he is mentally handicapped. Yet Marcelo's experiences are not all bad. Along the way he meets people who help him to get a better understanding of what is good and evil, what is love and, most importantly, that being in the "real world" is as much satisfying as it is painful.
The only reason I knocked down 1 star from my rating was that some parts felt a little slow or too introspective, but overall Marcelo In The Real World is a remarkable YA adult novel.
Marcelo In The Real World is a part story of self-discovery, part criminal investigation, part love story and is definitely one of the strongest examples of quality YA fiction. The story is told from a unique POV of a person whose thought process is different from ours and although I personally do not know any autistic people and can't vouch for accuracy of Marcelo's portrayal, his "voice" sounds authentic.
Marcelo's journey through the "real world" is a compelling one, albeit frustrating and infuriating at times. It is almost unbearable to see him insulted by people who have no understanding of his condition and often treat him as if he is mentally handicapped. Yet Marcelo's experiences are not all bad. Along the way he meets people who help him to get a better understanding of what is good and evil, what is love and, most importantly, that being in the "real world" is as much satisfying as it is painful.
The only reason I knocked down 1 star from my rating was that some parts felt a little slow or too introspective, but overall Marcelo In The Real World is a remarkable YA adult novel.
December 20, 2010
Absolutely stunning. I haven't read a book worthy of five stars in a while, and I am so grateful to my friend for recommending this to me.
Marcelo hears music that no one else can. He has been diagnosed with an impairment similar to autism, but higher-functioning - he can process things but it takes him time, and he is able to adapt to social situations through learning and experience. However, this is not enough to satisfy his father, a powerful and persuasive lawyer. His father decides to have Marcelo work in the mail room of his law firm for the summer, giving him a taste of the real world. He meets Jasmine, his beautiful and no-nonsense coworker, and learns of the greed, jealousy, and beauty of mankind.
This book touched me. There are many words to describe what Stork has achieved created with Marcelo in the Real World: poignant, profound, glorious... but when it comes down to it, this is a book that reveals the truth of human nature in its darkest and most illuminated form.
Protagonists like Marcelo only come once in a blue moon - so perfectly toned in voice and dialogue, yet flawed enough to make the reader empathize with him. He has a mental illness similar to Asperger's, but it provides him with an even more secular view of the world. Thought-provoking, inspiring, and even humorous at times, readers will cheer for Marcelo throughout this book and beyond it.
Want to read more of my reviews? Follow me here.
Marcelo hears music that no one else can. He has been diagnosed with an impairment similar to autism, but higher-functioning - he can process things but it takes him time, and he is able to adapt to social situations through learning and experience. However, this is not enough to satisfy his father, a powerful and persuasive lawyer. His father decides to have Marcelo work in the mail room of his law firm for the summer, giving him a taste of the real world. He meets Jasmine, his beautiful and no-nonsense coworker, and learns of the greed, jealousy, and beauty of mankind.
This book touched me. There are many words to describe what Stork has achieved created with Marcelo in the Real World: poignant, profound, glorious... but when it comes down to it, this is a book that reveals the truth of human nature in its darkest and most illuminated form.
Protagonists like Marcelo only come once in a blue moon - so perfectly toned in voice and dialogue, yet flawed enough to make the reader empathize with him. He has a mental illness similar to Asperger's, but it provides him with an even more secular view of the world. Thought-provoking, inspiring, and even humorous at times, readers will cheer for Marcelo throughout this book and beyond it.
Want to read more of my reviews? Follow me here.
February 3, 2011
This book is so good I may have to take a break from reading--anything else wouldn't measure up. It's so good I'm consumed with despair that I will never write anything as beautiful or as important. It's so good I can't review it properly--any words I might choose wouldn't do it justice.
June 17, 2013
Dneska to vezmu ve zkratce. Úžasná knížka, která přivádí k zamyšlení. Někdy mě trochu nudily dlouhé pasáže, kde Marcelo uvažoval nad náboženstvím. Ale to nevadí, protože to k příběhu patřilo.
Přiznávám, že jistým zvráceným způsobem jsem i měla ráda Wendella. Aspoň chvilku :) A tím, že Auroru nazýval matkou úplně minimálně, snad jednou, jsem ji celou dobu vnímala asi jako 30 letou. Je strašně fajn osoba. Velice dobrá knížka, všem doporučuji.
Přiznávám, že jistým zvráceným způsobem jsem i měla ráda Wendella. Aspoň chvilku :) A tím, že Auroru nazýval matkou úplně minimálně, snad jednou, jsem ji celou dobu vnímala asi jako 30 letou. Je strašně fajn osoba. Velice dobrá knížka, všem doporučuji.
August 1, 2010
It's not really a three, but wasn't quite a four.
Seventeen year old Marcelo Sandoval is different. He hears music no one else can hear, his social development is stumped, and his special interests include religion, classical music, and therapy ponies. Marcelo is looking forward to a summer of working as a stable boy at Paterson, a school for kids with special needs, when his father tells him that he must get out of his comfort zone and join the "real world" or else he won't be able to go to Paterson for his senior year. The real world in this case is his father's law firm's mailroom where Marcelo will have to learn how to get along with Jasmine, his beautiful and quirky boss, complete tasks on time, and wade the truth out of all the corporate muck.
I was a tad disappointed in this book. It wasn't Marcelo. I loved him. I could read books in his voice all the time and never get sick of it. It's blunt, but honest and insightful. Marcelo was a great character, and the topic of autsim didn't deter me either. I was quite excited to see how he would survive in an average person's reality. I also liked Jasmine and Arturo, as well as Marcelo's fluctuating relationships with them. I didn't like Wendell, but I wasn't supposed to. He was the designated douche.
What I really didn't like was practically the entire middle part which consisted of the "legal thriller". There was nothing thrilling about it. It was dull, and I found the discussions, both internal and external, to be dull too. I just felt that out of all the paths that this book could have taken, why this one? I would have rather liked to see it spent more on Jasmine and Marcelo's stay in Vermont, or with the Rabbi or something. I just didn't like that part.
Marcelo was a great character though, and overall the book was a worth-while experience. I recommend it to anyone looking to get into the head of an autistic kid.
Oh, and the author's name is epic. Francisco X. Stork? Sounds like a James Bond character. I really hope it isn't a pseudonym.
Seventeen year old Marcelo Sandoval is different. He hears music no one else can hear, his social development is stumped, and his special interests include religion, classical music, and therapy ponies. Marcelo is looking forward to a summer of working as a stable boy at Paterson, a school for kids with special needs, when his father tells him that he must get out of his comfort zone and join the "real world" or else he won't be able to go to Paterson for his senior year. The real world in this case is his father's law firm's mailroom where Marcelo will have to learn how to get along with Jasmine, his beautiful and quirky boss, complete tasks on time, and wade the truth out of all the corporate muck.
I was a tad disappointed in this book. It wasn't Marcelo. I loved him. I could read books in his voice all the time and never get sick of it. It's blunt, but honest and insightful. Marcelo was a great character, and the topic of autsim didn't deter me either. I was quite excited to see how he would survive in an average person's reality. I also liked Jasmine and Arturo, as well as Marcelo's fluctuating relationships with them. I didn't like Wendell, but I wasn't supposed to. He was the designated douche.
What I really didn't like was practically the entire middle part which consisted of the "legal thriller". There was nothing thrilling about it. It was dull, and I found the discussions, both internal and external, to be dull too. I just felt that out of all the paths that this book could have taken, why this one? I would have rather liked to see it spent more on Jasmine and Marcelo's stay in Vermont, or with the Rabbi or something. I just didn't like that part.
Marcelo was a great character though, and overall the book was a worth-while experience. I recommend it to anyone looking to get into the head of an autistic kid.
Oh, and the author's name is epic. Francisco X. Stork? Sounds like a James Bond character. I really hope it isn't a pseudonym.
February 12, 2009
UPDATE 2/8/09
My initial impression still stands. Although I liked the way the author had the main character Marcelo speak, and how he added certain quirks that were realistic, Stork was unable to keep it consistent.. and some characteristics were not compatible w/someone w/Aspergers..such as speaking in literal terms only and then suddenly speaking/understanding metaphors, for example. The plot was sort of intriguing but I thought kind of trashy too.
Oh, I am not sure I like this book. A goodreads friend gave me a copy recently and while I do enjoy the interesting writing style (the author writes from the point of view of a 17 year old boy with Asperger's who refers to himself and his parents in the 3rd person- strange but interesting) I'm not sure I like the story line at all. It is a bit painful to read, how this boy is forced into working at his father's law firm for the summer, where he is vulnerable and subject to manipulation and exploitation. I've seen positive reviews of this book, with comparisons to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.. I liked that book- not sure of this one.. I'm on p 131 as of now, I will try to finish it and see if I feel the same way.
My initial impression still stands. Although I liked the way the author had the main character Marcelo speak, and how he added certain quirks that were realistic, Stork was unable to keep it consistent.. and some characteristics were not compatible w/someone w/Aspergers..such as speaking in literal terms only and then suddenly speaking/understanding metaphors, for example. The plot was sort of intriguing but I thought kind of trashy too.
Oh, I am not sure I like this book. A goodreads friend gave me a copy recently and while I do enjoy the interesting writing style (the author writes from the point of view of a 17 year old boy with Asperger's who refers to himself and his parents in the 3rd person- strange but interesting) I'm not sure I like the story line at all. It is a bit painful to read, how this boy is forced into working at his father's law firm for the summer, where he is vulnerable and subject to manipulation and exploitation. I've seen positive reviews of this book, with comparisons to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.. I liked that book- not sure of this one.. I'm on p 131 as of now, I will try to finish it and see if I feel the same way.
May 18, 2016
3.5/5
plɹoʍ lɐǝɹ ǝɥʇ uı olǝɔɹɐɯ
marcelo can be a bit naive, but not in an annoying way. he's naive in the way that makes you wonder how the hell you turned out so bitter and question why the world can't be as simple or straightforward as someone like marcelo sees it. marcelo is just a great person and anyone would be lucky to have him as a friend. many of the people marcelo encounters at the law firm treat him like crap or act as though he's stupid. so being marcelo's friend would probably lead me to an aggravated assault charge or two, but marcelo is constantly running into people who need to get bitch slapped.
[ fya | megan crane ]
some notes:
the relationships were not fully fleshed out, but that was fine. i wasn't really that interested or invested (what i read about that anyway) in any of the other characters (parents, jasmine or the rabbi for example), but i appreciated them nonetheless. marcelo was an endearing literary character, i was glad i had the opportunity to meet.
his thoughts on religion, his internal music, various other opinion pieces and bible passages he discussed with the rabbi were the most enjoyable for me to read about.
[ navigating love & autism | nyt article ]
borrowed:
plɹoʍ lɐǝɹ ǝɥʇ uı olǝɔɹɐɯ
marcelo can be a bit naive, but not in an annoying way. he's naive in the way that makes you wonder how the hell you turned out so bitter and question why the world can't be as simple or straightforward as someone like marcelo sees it. marcelo is just a great person and anyone would be lucky to have him as a friend. many of the people marcelo encounters at the law firm treat him like crap or act as though he's stupid. so being marcelo's friend would probably lead me to an aggravated assault charge or two, but marcelo is constantly running into people who need to get bitch slapped.
[ fya | megan crane ]
some notes:
the relationships were not fully fleshed out, but that was fine. i wasn't really that interested or invested (what i read about that anyway) in any of the other characters (parents, jasmine or the rabbi for example), but i appreciated them nonetheless. marcelo was an endearing literary character, i was glad i had the opportunity to meet.
his thoughts on religion, his internal music, various other opinion pieces and bible passages he discussed with the rabbi were the most enjoyable for me to read about.
[ navigating love & autism | nyt article ]
borrowed:
November 2, 2021
Don't be fooled by the YA-label.
Even if that genre isn't your cup of tea, this book is different enough to appeal to a much larger public.
Hence, the many award nominations are totally deserved.
The narrative voice of the main character is quite strange in the beginning (in that regard it reminded me a little bit of 'The flatshare' by Beth O'Leary), as he speaks of himself and other persons in the third person. But after a while you get used to it.
And once you're really drawn into the story, you begin to care for all the characters and want to know what will happen next.
Some things are a bit predictable, but there are also a few nice surprises.
This was my first encounter with author Francisco X. Stork, who was born in Mexico but moved to Texas at the age of 9 with his adoptive father.
And it certainly leaves me yearning for more.
To be continued …
May 26, 2010
Have you ever gotten to the end of a book and wished there was more? Or better yet, wished your writing could move people the way that the story moved you? Marcelo in the Real World is that kind of book.
It's no secret that I love fantasy, but I try to read outside of the genre as well. Marcelo isn't a super hero. He's a teenage boy with an unidentified cognitive disorder who is comfortable with his routines, his special-ed school, his job at the therapeutic riding stables. His father decides that for the summer Marcelo needs to move outside of his comfort zone and so Marcelo goes to work in the real world: at his father's law firm. But neither of them is prepared for what that means.
In the hands of another author, this story could end up being a sentimental tear-jerker. Author Francisco X. Stork doesn't take that route. Instead he gives us an unflinchingly honest look at what it means to be normal. While there are some obvious fish out of water situations, there are also some unexpected consequences that make this book a real page turner. As Marcelo tries to live up to his father's expectations, he starts to learn that choices aren't always black and white in the real world. The way he approaches these discoveries is what makes this story unique.
There is so much to love about this book. I love that in spite of his differences, I never felt sorry for Marcelo. I love that while the family is Mexican, they are completely American. I love that the story made me think about how what's right in one situation might not always be the right answer.
Marcelo in the Real World is Francisco X. Stork's third novel and it has garnered a lot of awards. His newest book, The Last Summer of the Death Warriors, came out in March. If it's half as good as Marcelo, it'll be well worth the money.
It's no secret that I love fantasy, but I try to read outside of the genre as well. Marcelo isn't a super hero. He's a teenage boy with an unidentified cognitive disorder who is comfortable with his routines, his special-ed school, his job at the therapeutic riding stables. His father decides that for the summer Marcelo needs to move outside of his comfort zone and so Marcelo goes to work in the real world: at his father's law firm. But neither of them is prepared for what that means.
In the hands of another author, this story could end up being a sentimental tear-jerker. Author Francisco X. Stork doesn't take that route. Instead he gives us an unflinchingly honest look at what it means to be normal. While there are some obvious fish out of water situations, there are also some unexpected consequences that make this book a real page turner. As Marcelo tries to live up to his father's expectations, he starts to learn that choices aren't always black and white in the real world. The way he approaches these discoveries is what makes this story unique.
There is so much to love about this book. I love that in spite of his differences, I never felt sorry for Marcelo. I love that while the family is Mexican, they are completely American. I love that the story made me think about how what's right in one situation might not always be the right answer.
Marcelo in the Real World is Francisco X. Stork's third novel and it has garnered a lot of awards. His newest book, The Last Summer of the Death Warriors, came out in March. If it's half as good as Marcelo, it'll be well worth the money.
February 22, 2010
Approximate Interest Level/Reading Level: High School
Format: Chapter Book
Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2010), ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2010)
At the insistence of his father, Marcelo, a male adolescent with a condition resembling Asperger’s Syndrome, is forced to participate in the “real world” by working at his father’s law firm over the summer. The typical behaviors of autism, accompanied by atypical introspection and insight, leads Marcelo into the position of contemplating a moral judgement that could ruin his father's law firm.
It may be my special education background, but I did not really like this book. The author never really fully commits to Marcelo’s diagnosis, but leads to reader into thinking it is AS by giving the character some of the more stereotypical behaviors associated with the disorder and ignoring the rest in order to create what seems to me to be a false tension and climax. Marcelo’s characteristics felt inconsistent and in conflict, similar to an oxymoron.
Disability: Protagonist-Asperger's Syndrome
Format: Chapter Book
Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2010), ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2010)
At the insistence of his father, Marcelo, a male adolescent with a condition resembling Asperger’s Syndrome, is forced to participate in the “real world” by working at his father’s law firm over the summer. The typical behaviors of autism, accompanied by atypical introspection and insight, leads Marcelo into the position of contemplating a moral judgement that could ruin his father's law firm.
It may be my special education background, but I did not really like this book. The author never really fully commits to Marcelo’s diagnosis, but leads to reader into thinking it is AS by giving the character some of the more stereotypical behaviors associated with the disorder and ignoring the rest in order to create what seems to me to be a false tension and climax. Marcelo’s characteristics felt inconsistent and in conflict, similar to an oxymoron.
Disability: Protagonist-Asperger's Syndrome
June 1, 2017
This is the best YA book I've read in a long, long time. It's the kind of book that makes me sad that the majority of the genre is filled with gimmicks and pandering, because it's always had the potential to be so much more. This book hit a bit close to home for me, but even if you're not compelled by the same moral issues that Marcelo is, I still think this is just a wonderful book that you'll probably enjoy.
January 30, 2021
Bohužel nedoceněná kniha. Určitě by si zasloužila více pozornosti.
March 8, 2015
Εξ αρχής δεν είχα υψηλές προσδοκίες από το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο αφού ο λόγος που το πήρα για να το διαβάσω ήταν για να το ξεφορτωθώ από το ράφι των αδιάβαστων στο οποίο βρισκόταν εδώ και τρία χρόνια.Δεν είχα ιδέα ότι θα διάβαζα ένα υπέροχο συγκινητικό και τρυφερό μυθιστόρημα που θα με επηρέαζε τόσο βαθιά.
Ο Μαρσέλο είναι ένα δεκαεφτάχρονο αγόρι που πάσχει από το σύνδρομο άσπεγκερ σε ήπια μορφή.Συνήθως μιλάει στο τρίτο ενικό πρόσωπο, δυσκολεύεται να κατανοήσει την μεταφορική χρήση της γλώσσας, προσφωνεί τους γονείς του με το μικρό τους όνομα, αγαπά την μουσική και τα άλογα και το «ειδικό ενδιαφέρον» όπως ο ίδιος το αποκαλεί και είναι ένα στοιχείο που χαρακτηρίζει τα αυτιστικά παιδιά, είναι ότι αφορά τη θρησκεία.Ο πατέρας του Μαρσέλο θέλοντας να το φέρει πιο έντονα σε επαφή με τον αληθινό κόσμο αποφασίσει την τελευταία χρονιά, να τον στείλει σε ένα κανονικό σχολείο και όχι στο ειδικό που πάει μέχρι στιγμής.Για να καταφέρει να τον προετοιμάσει γι αυτό, τον βάζει να δουλέψει στο δικηγορικό του γραφείο για όλο το καλοκαίρι.Εκεί ο Μαρσέλο θα κάνει φίλους, όπως την όμορφη και δυνανική Τζάσμιν, αλλά και εχθρούς όπως τον Γουέντελ τον κακομαθημένο γιό του συνέταιρου του πατέρα του.Αυτό όμως που θα δράσει καταλυτικά στον Μαρσέλο είναι η ανακάλυψη στα κουτιά του γραφείου, μιας φωτογραφίας ενός παραμορφωμένου κοριτσιού που θα τον οδηγήσει στο να ανακαλύψει ποιος πραγματικά είναι ο ίδιος και για το τι είναι ικανοί να κάνουν οι άνθρωποι γύρω του.
Αυτό το βιβλίο με έκανε πραγματικά να αναρωτηθώ πόσο κακοί μπορεί να γίνουμε οι άνθρωποι απέναντι στο δικό μας συμφέρον, και πόσο καλοί μπορούν να αποδειχθούν κάποια άτομα που δεν μπορούμε καν να φανταστούμε.Ο Μαρσέλο παρόλο που φαντάζει ψυχρός στα μάτια μας καθώς δεν εκδηλώνει κανενός είδους συναίσθημα, ούτε χαρά ούτε λύπη, αποδεικνύεται πιο αγνός πιο καλοσυνάτος και πιο αθώος από όλα τα άτομα που τον περιτριγυρίζουν.Επιλέγει το σωστό και το δίκαιο ανεξάρτητα αν αυτό πληγώσει ανθρώπους για τους οποίους νοιάζεται και αυτή η παράξενη λογική του και η ειλικρίνεια του είναι που τον κάνουν τόσο ξεχωριστό και τόσο αξιαγάπητο.
Ο αυτισμός δεν είναι μια ασθένεια που κάνει τους ανθρώπους να υστερούν σωματικά, γνωστικά ή ψυχικά από τους υπόλοιπους.Τους κάνει απλά να ακολουθούν έναν πολύ διαφορετικό τρόπο σκέψης χωρίς αυτό να σημαίνει πως είναι πως είναι χαζοί ή άνθρωποι χωρίς συναισθήματα.Ο Μαρσέλο δεν κλαίει,δεν γελά, δεν φαίνεται να στεναχωριέται σε δυσάρεστες καταστάσεις, μέσα του όμως αισθάνεται πολλά.Είναι πρόθυμος να βοηθήσει τους γύρω του, να κάνει κάτι καλό γι αυτούς και δεν εκμεταλλεύεται ούτε επιλέγει να πληγώσει κάποιον επίτηδες.Παρόλο που όλοι τον θεωρούν καθυστερημένο ο Μαρσέλο αποδεικνύει πως έχει ένα μοναδικό μυαλό και μια υπέροχη προσωπικότητα που αξίζει πολλά.
Ο Μαρσέλο στον πραγματικό κόσμο είναι ένα βιβλίο που περνά πολλά και διαφορετικά μηνύματα για την φιλία,τον κόσμο, τον Θεό, την ειλικρίνεια και το πόσο σημαντικό είναι κάποιος να πιστεύει στον εαυτό του.Κλείνοντας το βιβλίο ένα τεράστιο χαμόγελο σχηματίστηκε στα χείλη μου και με κατέκλυσε μια απρόσμενη αισιοδοξία για τη ζωή και το μέλλον, κάτι που μου συμβαίνει πολύ σπάνια.
Ο Μαρσέλο είναι ένα δεκαεφτάχρονο αγόρι που πάσχει από το σύνδρομο άσπεγκερ σε ήπια μορφή.Συνήθως μιλάει στο τρίτο ενικό πρόσωπο, δυσκολεύεται να κατανοήσει την μεταφορική χρήση της γλώσσας, προσφωνεί τους γονείς του με το μικρό τους όνομα, αγαπά την μουσική και τα άλογα και το «ειδικό ενδιαφέρον» όπως ο ίδιος το αποκαλεί και είναι ένα στοιχείο που χαρακτηρίζει τα αυτιστικά παιδιά, είναι ότι αφορά τη θρησκεία.Ο πατέρας του Μαρσέλο θέλοντας να το φέρει πιο έντονα σε επαφή με τον αληθινό κόσμο αποφασίσει την τελευταία χρονιά, να τον στείλει σε ένα κανονικό σχολείο και όχι στο ειδικό που πάει μέχρι στιγμής.Για να καταφέρει να τον προετοιμάσει γι αυτό, τον βάζει να δουλέψει στο δικηγορικό του γραφείο για όλο το καλοκαίρι.Εκεί ο Μαρσέλο θα κάνει φίλους, όπως την όμορφη και δυνανική Τζάσμιν, αλλά και εχθρούς όπως τον Γουέντελ τον κακομαθημένο γιό του συνέταιρου του πατέρα του.Αυτό όμως που θα δράσει καταλυτικά στον Μαρσέλο είναι η ανακάλυψη στα κουτιά του γραφείου, μιας φωτογραφίας ενός παραμορφωμένου κοριτσιού που θα τον οδηγήσει στο να ανακαλύψει ποιος πραγματικά είναι ο ίδιος και για το τι είναι ικανοί να κάνουν οι άνθρωποι γύρω του.
Αυτό το βιβλίο με έκανε πραγματικά να αναρωτηθώ πόσο κακοί μπορεί να γίνουμε οι άνθρωποι απέναντι στο δικό μας συμφέρον, και πόσο καλοί μπορούν να αποδειχθούν κάποια άτομα που δεν μπορούμε καν να φανταστούμε.Ο Μαρσέλο παρόλο που φαντάζει ψυχρός στα μάτια μας καθώς δεν εκδηλώνει κανενός είδους συναίσθημα, ούτε χαρά ούτε λύπη, αποδεικνύεται πιο αγνός πιο καλοσυνάτος και πιο αθώος από όλα τα άτομα που τον περιτριγυρίζουν.Επιλέγει το σωστό και το δίκαιο ανεξάρτητα αν αυτό πληγώσει ανθρώπους για τους οποίους νοιάζεται και αυτή η παράξενη λογική του και η ειλικρίνεια του είναι που τον κάνουν τόσο ξεχωριστό και τόσο αξιαγάπητο.
Ο αυτισμός δεν είναι μια ασθένεια που κάνει τους ανθρώπους να υστερούν σωματικά, γνωστικά ή ψυχικά από τους υπόλοιπους.Τους κάνει απλά να ακολουθούν έναν πολύ διαφορετικό τρόπο σκέψης χωρίς αυτό να σημαίνει πως είναι πως είναι χαζοί ή άνθρωποι χωρίς συναισθήματα.Ο Μαρσέλο δεν κλαίει,δεν γελά, δεν φαίνεται να στεναχωριέται σε δυσάρεστες καταστάσεις, μέσα του όμως αισθάνεται πολλά.Είναι πρόθυμος να βοηθήσει τους γύρω του, να κάνει κάτι καλό γι αυτούς και δεν εκμεταλλεύεται ούτε επιλέγει να πληγώσει κάποιον επίτηδες.Παρόλο που όλοι τον θεωρούν καθυστερημένο ο Μαρσέλο αποδεικνύει πως έχει ένα μοναδικό μυαλό και μια υπέροχη προσωπικότητα που αξίζει πολλά.
Ο Μαρσέλο στον πραγματικό κόσμο είναι ένα βιβλίο που περνά πολλά και διαφορετικά μηνύματα για την φιλία,τον κόσμο, τον Θεό, την ειλικρίνεια και το πόσο σημαντικό είναι κάποιος να πιστεύει στον εαυτό του.Κλείνοντας το βιβλίο ένα τεράστιο χαμόγελο σχηματίστηκε στα χείλη μου και με κατέκλυσε μια απρόσμενη αισιοδοξία για τη ζωή και το μέλλον, κάτι που μου συμβαίνει πολύ σπάνια.
Read
February 27, 2010"Her belief is in her deeds." I'm paraphrasing, but one of the characters says this about Marcelo's mother when he worries about her possible loss of faith. The more I thought about this line, the more I realized it applies to each character in this exquisite YA novel. Marcelo's father, the high-powered, self-made lawyer, wants to force Marcelo into the 'real world,' a place Marcelo, with his Aspergers, has been sheltered from...His father believes the 'real world' will toughen Marcelo, make him more competitive. Well, the real world does change Marcelo forever...he learns so much over the summer working in the mail room of his father's law firm. He learns about betrayal, courage, rules, love, sex; he learns he's stronger than he ever dreamed he was. This is a character who will live in my heart...Marcelo joins the real world, but he learns our belief is in our deeds; he sees through their deeds into the hearts of the people he comes in contact with.
April 6, 2015
Wow. So many great things to say about this one. I loved its treatment of various topics- religion, intelligence, ethics, desire, "rules" we play by, love, understanding people, communication, safety, forgiveness, anger, sex and what it means to be kind. I want to meet Marcelo and wish the best for him. I want him to get the girl and live peacefully, "with waters green, quiet and deep..." in Vermont. I just remembered the TED talk about storycorps by Isay and couldn't help but see Sarah and Josh Littman's relationship which seemed very similar to Aurora and Marcelo. A poignant, neatly constructed book that ends how it should, this book will stay with me awhile. It made me miss the stars and hope to find a quiet spot to think and remember. Thanks for the recommendation, Jabiz.
February 23, 2016
This book is good but not for me
Okay here I go
His father is plain mean like he did understand him
When Marcelo wanted to go with Jasmine to visit her dad Marcelo 's dad made a lot excuses like Jasmine didn't she was not there for three whole days
I like Jasmine
She was just nice to Marcelo and care about him
Than there was a Wendell
Wendell was trying to make friends with Marcelo but he was just using him to Jasmine to club
Marcelo was the best character
The thing about him is he had to learn to accept the changes in life
Even though it was hard for him to understand the real world he didn't give up he just went for it
What I learned:.
Change can be hard but sometimes we have to move on and fight
Okay here I go
His father is plain mean like he did understand him
When Marcelo wanted to go with Jasmine to visit her dad Marcelo 's dad made a lot excuses like Jasmine didn't she was not there for three whole days
I like Jasmine
She was just nice to Marcelo and care about him
Than there was a Wendell
Wendell was trying to make friends with Marcelo but he was just using him to Jasmine to club
Marcelo was the best character
The thing about him is he had to learn to accept the changes in life
Even though it was hard for him to understand the real world he didn't give up he just went for it
What I learned:.
Change can be hard but sometimes we have to move on and fight
December 6, 2009
This was a touching story that defies categorization: part family story, part love story, part crime story. What will stick with me is the beauty of Marcelo's gentle spirit and his insightful interpretations of the "real world."
March 17, 2020
Retardovaný, idiot, autista.
S takýmto označením sa stretáva Marcelo takmer každý deň. Radšej si ani nepredstavuje, ako ho označujú za jeho chrbtom. Marcelo počuje hudbu vo svojej hlave a veľa o všetkom premýšľa. Aj preto ho považujú za pomalého, lebo slova analyzuje a chápe ich doslovne. Slovné hračky a obrazné pomenovania sú pre neho častokrát nepochopiteľné.
Napriek tomu je Marcelo veľmi inteligentný, vnímavý a citlivý. Niekedy nedokáže rozlíšiť, keď sa s ním ľudia zahrávajú a využívajú ho.
Príbeh v knihe plynie pomaly, bez zbytočných prekvapení, ale zároveň je veľmi dojímavý. Pri čítaní som sa dostávala do Marcelovej mysle, zisťovala, ako funguje jeho mozog, chcela mu pomôcť veci správne pochopiť, aby nebol zmätený zo skutočného sveta. Marcelo sa postupne začleňuje do skutočného sveta, čo je svet mimo jeho školy a rodiny. Na začiatku má problémy aj s jednoduchými interakciami, ale postupne sám bez cudzej pomoci zvláda veci, o ktorých si nikdy ani nemyslel, že by dokázal.
Ako môže Marcelo pomôcť cudziemu dievčaťu bez toho, aby ublížil niekomu blízkemu? Musí nad tým veľa premýšľať a rozhodnúť sa, čo je správne, čo je v živote dôležité a že nie je správne klásť seba na prvé miesto za predpokladu, že to iným môže ublížiť.
S takýmto označením sa stretáva Marcelo takmer každý deň. Radšej si ani nepredstavuje, ako ho označujú za jeho chrbtom. Marcelo počuje hudbu vo svojej hlave a veľa o všetkom premýšľa. Aj preto ho považujú za pomalého, lebo slova analyzuje a chápe ich doslovne. Slovné hračky a obrazné pomenovania sú pre neho častokrát nepochopiteľné.
Napriek tomu je Marcelo veľmi inteligentný, vnímavý a citlivý. Niekedy nedokáže rozlíšiť, keď sa s ním ľudia zahrávajú a využívajú ho.
Príbeh v knihe plynie pomaly, bez zbytočných prekvapení, ale zároveň je veľmi dojímavý. Pri čítaní som sa dostávala do Marcelovej mysle, zisťovala, ako funguje jeho mozog, chcela mu pomôcť veci správne pochopiť, aby nebol zmätený zo skutočného sveta. Marcelo sa postupne začleňuje do skutočného sveta, čo je svet mimo jeho školy a rodiny. Na začiatku má problémy aj s jednoduchými interakciami, ale postupne sám bez cudzej pomoci zvláda veci, o ktorých si nikdy ani nemyslel, že by dokázal.
Ako môže Marcelo pomôcť cudziemu dievčaťu bez toho, aby ublížil niekomu blízkemu? Musí nad tým veľa premýšľať a rozhodnúť sa, čo je správne, čo je v živote dôležité a že nie je správne klásť seba na prvé miesto za predpokladu, že to iným môže ublížiť.
September 17, 2011
Marcelo is a 17 year old guy who has an autistic-like condition, not necessarily Asperger's but similar. He can hear music in his mind, Internal Music (IM). It's like experiencing the feelings one gets when listening to music, except without the music. Marcelo's "special interest" is religion. He often sees his mother's best friend, a female rabbi even though he's Catholic, to talk about religion and life. Marcelo lives in a tree house, has a dog called Namu, short for Namu Amida Butsu, a Buddhist prayer, so basically everytime you read his name you are praying. Nifty huh?
So far he's been used to attending a school called Paterson for special needs students, but now his lawyer father, Arturo, wants him to get out and experience the "real world" and if he can follow the "rules" he will go to Oak Ridge High School after the summer, which of course Marcelo does NOT want to do because he believes he will not fit in with the other students, but his father insist he work during the summer.
This is how he ends up working at his father's law firm in the mail room, alongside Jasmine and her beautiful azure eyes.
Unfortunately Marcelo has to deal with quite a few problems:
-the a-holes he has to work with (so rude and cruel they can be!)
-the difficult decisions he keeps coming across
-the new discoveries he makes
-how to help the girl in a picture he found in a box marked "trash"
-what to do about one of the a-holes, Wedell who has "things" in mind about Jasmine
-figure out why he can't hear the IM anymore
Reading in Marcelo's POV was incredible. I loved how Stork chose to write this book in that format it makes the reader really connect with Marcelo.
I loved that I could relate to Marcelo, not just because he is Hispanic like me, but because of what he goes through. Okay I'm not autistic, but everyone goes through life and it's many complicated problems. It is different for all of us though of course, but hey what can we do? :D
I think that we, those considered normal, are all abnormal and that Marcelo is the normal one. He is one of the most amazing protagonists I have ever read about and I know I will be reading this book again. It warmed my heart, it really did. This book is one of those books that changes your life and your way of perceiving it.
Here are some of my favorite passages from the book, well the ones that don't spoil anything:
"'Help you for what?' Aurora asked. I missed an opportunity to tell her that it would help me to be like her. That the way she is strong and gentle on behalf of the children will be my way as well. The road seems long. Another year of high school, then college, then a degree in nursing and then work- doing what I can to lessen the hurt in the world. But where? There has to be a place where I belong."
Warning-Warning-Warning -this next passage contains pg-13 material so beware!
"He was still terrified when he rode The Big Woodie [a roller coaster:], but he did it. When he got out, I asked if he was okay. You know what he said?" -Aurora, Marcelo's mom
"No"-Marcelo
"He said, 'I'll tell you when my bolas drop back in their sack.' Then he smiled this huge smile and said, 'Now I can die happy.'" Aurora laughs to herself. I laugh also. I like it when Aurora occasionally uses bad words. Bolas, I know, is a Spanish slang word for testicles. (They also teach us these kind of things at Paterson.) But as soon as I finish laughing, I try to figure out why Aurora chose to tell me this memory of hers at this particular point. I can tell that she is hoping that I will get to the moral of the story on my own. But the story has various messages and I don't know which one to pick. Is Aurora trying to tell me that the law firm is like a scary roller coaster ride where my own testicles will travel up to my throat, figuratively speaking? I have no idea what this feels like, but I sincerely hope this is not the case.
YOU WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE:
-The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
-reading about autism
-POV of a semi-autistic person
-life changing novels
-a protagonist you'll want to have in your life
-unforgettable novels
-humor
-sadness
-reading about the cruelty of the world
-coming of age novels
-love
-music
-reading about religion
-unpredictable novels (gotta love surprises)
-heart warming novels
-must reads :D
-Bless Me Ultima by Adolfo Anaya (I was reminded of this novel)
So far he's been used to attending a school called Paterson for special needs students, but now his lawyer father, Arturo, wants him to get out and experience the "real world" and if he can follow the "rules" he will go to Oak Ridge High School after the summer, which of course Marcelo does NOT want to do because he believes he will not fit in with the other students, but his father insist he work during the summer.
This is how he ends up working at his father's law firm in the mail room, alongside Jasmine and her beautiful azure eyes.
Unfortunately Marcelo has to deal with quite a few problems:
-the a-holes he has to work with (so rude and cruel they can be!)
-the difficult decisions he keeps coming across
-the new discoveries he makes
-how to help the girl in a picture he found in a box marked "trash"
-what to do about one of the a-holes, Wedell who has "things" in mind about Jasmine
-figure out why he can't hear the IM anymore
Reading in Marcelo's POV was incredible. I loved how Stork chose to write this book in that format it makes the reader really connect with Marcelo.
I loved that I could relate to Marcelo, not just because he is Hispanic like me, but because of what he goes through. Okay I'm not autistic, but everyone goes through life and it's many complicated problems. It is different for all of us though of course, but hey what can we do? :D
I think that we, those considered normal, are all abnormal and that Marcelo is the normal one. He is one of the most amazing protagonists I have ever read about and I know I will be reading this book again. It warmed my heart, it really did. This book is one of those books that changes your life and your way of perceiving it.
Here are some of my favorite passages from the book, well the ones that don't spoil anything:
"'Help you for what?' Aurora asked. I missed an opportunity to tell her that it would help me to be like her. That the way she is strong and gentle on behalf of the children will be my way as well. The road seems long. Another year of high school, then college, then a degree in nursing and then work- doing what I can to lessen the hurt in the world. But where? There has to be a place where I belong."
Warning-Warning-Warning -this next passage contains pg-13 material so beware!
"He was still terrified when he rode The Big Woodie [a roller coaster:], but he did it. When he got out, I asked if he was okay. You know what he said?" -Aurora, Marcelo's mom
"No"-Marcelo
"He said, 'I'll tell you when my bolas drop back in their sack.' Then he smiled this huge smile and said, 'Now I can die happy.'" Aurora laughs to herself. I laugh also. I like it when Aurora occasionally uses bad words. Bolas, I know, is a Spanish slang word for testicles. (They also teach us these kind of things at Paterson.) But as soon as I finish laughing, I try to figure out why Aurora chose to tell me this memory of hers at this particular point. I can tell that she is hoping that I will get to the moral of the story on my own. But the story has various messages and I don't know which one to pick. Is Aurora trying to tell me that the law firm is like a scary roller coaster ride where my own testicles will travel up to my throat, figuratively speaking? I have no idea what this feels like, but I sincerely hope this is not the case.
YOU WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE:
-The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
-reading about autism
-POV of a semi-autistic person
-life changing novels
-a protagonist you'll want to have in your life
-unforgettable novels
-humor
-sadness
-reading about the cruelty of the world
-coming of age novels
-love
-music
-reading about religion
-unpredictable novels (gotta love surprises)
-heart warming novels
-must reads :D
-Bless Me Ultima by Adolfo Anaya (I was reminded of this novel)
February 18, 2011
Marcelo in the Real World is the story of a teenager with Asperger's Syndrome who has spent his life attending a private school for kids with mental and physical disabilities. At the beginning of the book, we learn that Marcelo’s father wants him to spend a summer, and possibly next school year in “the real world” ~ working and interacting with people outside of his protected comfort zone. I’ve read so many good reviews and have been looking forward to this book for so long, that it is a huge disappointment that my feelings towards it are just meh.
The main issue I have with Marcelo in the Real World is that at some point the story started to fall flat. As heartbreaking and sometimes infuriating Marcelo’s struggles in the real world were, they weren’t as conflicted or moving as I was expecting. When we first meet Marcelo, we learn of his internal music, which isn’t music, but rather the emotion of music without music being played. It is his private, inner self where he withdraws and finds solace. Of course, as Marcelo participates more and more in the real world, he loses part of his internal world, but it is mentioned more of an afterthought, we never see Marcelo really strive for or long for his fading internal music. Also, although Marcelo confronts awfully sticky situations in the real world, the people he encounters are very black and white. Bad people are mean, good people are nice. Yes, it takes Marcelo some time to distinguish between good and bad intentions but we all know he will get there in the end, right? The only truly interesting character was Marcelo’s father, Arturo. He, like so many people, means well but is walking the fine line between right and wrong. I would have loved for Marcelo and Arturo to have more interaction and perhaps seen more into their story. In fact, I would have loved for Marcelo to have interacted with more people like Arturo period ~ as it was, Marcelo’s journey, while difficult, was so much easier than one would imagine.
Going into this book, I expected Marcelo to be faced with more challenges. To act out a little more when things go awry. To make some mistakes along the way. But as it is, everything happened for a reason, and every one of Marcelo’s action’s helped to lead him down the right path in the end. It all seemed a little contrived. Had Marcelo been based on a real person, and this book been based on true events – then it would be amazing! But I like my fiction to be a little messy, and this just didn’t do it for me. I'd love to rate this 2.5 however, since GR doesn't accomodate us folks who can't decide between a half point, I'll rate it up to a full 3. Really, it's not bad ~ just not as good as it could have been.
The main issue I have with Marcelo in the Real World is that at some point the story started to fall flat. As heartbreaking and sometimes infuriating Marcelo’s struggles in the real world were, they weren’t as conflicted or moving as I was expecting. When we first meet Marcelo, we learn of his internal music, which isn’t music, but rather the emotion of music without music being played. It is his private, inner self where he withdraws and finds solace. Of course, as Marcelo participates more and more in the real world, he loses part of his internal world, but it is mentioned more of an afterthought, we never see Marcelo really strive for or long for his fading internal music. Also, although Marcelo confronts awfully sticky situations in the real world, the people he encounters are very black and white. Bad people are mean, good people are nice. Yes, it takes Marcelo some time to distinguish between good and bad intentions but we all know he will get there in the end, right? The only truly interesting character was Marcelo’s father, Arturo. He, like so many people, means well but is walking the fine line between right and wrong. I would have loved for Marcelo and Arturo to have more interaction and perhaps seen more into their story. In fact, I would have loved for Marcelo to have interacted with more people like Arturo period ~ as it was, Marcelo’s journey, while difficult, was so much easier than one would imagine.
Going into this book, I expected Marcelo to be faced with more challenges. To act out a little more when things go awry. To make some mistakes along the way. But as it is, everything happened for a reason, and every one of Marcelo’s action’s helped to lead him down the right path in the end. It all seemed a little contrived. Had Marcelo been based on a real person, and this book been based on true events – then it would be amazing! But I like my fiction to be a little messy, and this just didn’t do it for me. I'd love to rate this 2.5 however, since GR doesn't accomodate us folks who can't decide between a half point, I'll rate it up to a full 3. Really, it's not bad ~ just not as good as it could have been.
July 10, 2012
Marcelo, Marcelo…ufff…co já si s ním jen počtu? Už od začátku jsem věděla, že to nebude jen tak obyčejná knížka, kterou si přečtu, oblíbím a schovám do knihovničky. Od přečtení o ní neustále přemýšlím a snažím se ujasnit si své myšlenky o samotném Marcelovi, o knize, o jeho poslání, o všem, co s knihou souvisí, ale zatím se mi to vůbec nepovedlo. Tak co s ním mám jenom dělat?
Marcelo ve skutečném světě je naprosto jedinečná a neobyčejná kniha, kterou by si měl každý přečíst. A pokud vám to nestačí takhle říct, musíte si to zkrátka ověřit sami.
Ale prosím vás, dělám si srandu, budu vás přesvědčovat trochu víc.
Stejně si jí ale nakonec přečtete, protože tohle je Marcelo a jemu jen tak někdo neodolá…
Takže, Marcelo ve skutečném světě je naprosto jedinečná a neobyčejná kniha, která vás naprosto překvapí a chytí už od první stránky. Hlavní hrdina není totiž úplně normální kluk. Marcelo se psychicky neocitá na úrovni své věkové kategorie. Trpí totiž chorobou podobnou autismu a to vedle toho, že jaksi slyší vnitřní hudbu, znamená, že jeho mentální vývoj je velice opožděný. Dělá mu problémy seznamovat se jak s novými lidmi a vytvářet s nimi jakékoliv vztahy, tak i s novými činnostmi, které se před každého člověka postupně v průběhu jeho dospívání postavují. Jeho otec si ale odmítá připustit, že by se nemohl alespoň pokusit chovat jako normální kluk svého věku, a tak mu přes léto zařizuje práci ve své právnické firmě. Marcelo tam nemá těžkou práci, pracuje v podatelně pod ostřížím zrakem vedoucí Jasmine, a přestože si myslel, že to bude vlastně zbytečné, byla to pro něj opravdu užitečná skutečnost. Pokusil se vytvářet vztahy s lidmi a pomáhat jim a dělat správné věci, zkrátka se pokusil začlenit do společnosti a naučit se chodit ve skutečném světě…
Marcelo je jeden z nejzajímavějších hrdinů, s jakými jsem měla doposud tu čest. A bylo mi opravdu potěšením s ním strávit tak příjemný čas. Přestože je vám ho líto, a chcete za něj bojovat všechny jeho bitvy a chránit ho stůj co stůj, stejně je zajímavé sledovat, jak je vlastně rozkošně opatrný, naivní a nevinný. Je to přesně ten typ hrdiny, který si najde místo ve vašem srdci a už ho nikdy neopustí.
Kniha není ale výjimečná pouze hlavním hrdinou, přestože on sám dokáže dělat divy, celý příběh je ohromně obyčejně neobyčejný. Velice zručně autor popisuje Marcelův normální život, takže přestože se nejedná o žádnou epickou zápletku, která by vám mohla zamotat hlavu, stejně vám tu hlavu zamotá a dlouho po dočtení o knize budete přemýšlet. Příběh je zkrátka obyčejný, ale díky autorovu skvělému psacímu umu a dokonalosti, s jakou vykreslil všechny hrdiny a s jakou péčí vytvořil Marcela, se dostává kniha na úplně jinou úroveň a stává se něčím naprosto úžasným.
Marcelo ve skutečném světě je kniha plných úžasných myšlenek a její lehké proudění možná nebude po chuti milovníkovi pořádné akce. Přesto ale se jedná o svižnou knihu, která se čte opravdu skvěle. A kdo se rozhodne, že jí dá šanci, nebude rozhodně litovat.
Marcelo ve skutečném světě je naprosto jedinečná a neobyčejná kniha, kterou by si měl každý přečíst. A pokud vám to nestačí takhle říct, musíte si to zkrátka ověřit sami.
Ale prosím vás, dělám si srandu, budu vás přesvědčovat trochu víc.
Stejně si jí ale nakonec přečtete, protože tohle je Marcelo a jemu jen tak někdo neodolá…
Takže, Marcelo ve skutečném světě je naprosto jedinečná a neobyčejná kniha, která vás naprosto překvapí a chytí už od první stránky. Hlavní hrdina není totiž úplně normální kluk. Marcelo se psychicky neocitá na úrovni své věkové kategorie. Trpí totiž chorobou podobnou autismu a to vedle toho, že jaksi slyší vnitřní hudbu, znamená, že jeho mentální vývoj je velice opožděný. Dělá mu problémy seznamovat se jak s novými lidmi a vytvářet s nimi jakékoliv vztahy, tak i s novými činnostmi, které se před každého člověka postupně v průběhu jeho dospívání postavují. Jeho otec si ale odmítá připustit, že by se nemohl alespoň pokusit chovat jako normální kluk svého věku, a tak mu přes léto zařizuje práci ve své právnické firmě. Marcelo tam nemá těžkou práci, pracuje v podatelně pod ostřížím zrakem vedoucí Jasmine, a přestože si myslel, že to bude vlastně zbytečné, byla to pro něj opravdu užitečná skutečnost. Pokusil se vytvářet vztahy s lidmi a pomáhat jim a dělat správné věci, zkrátka se pokusil začlenit do společnosti a naučit se chodit ve skutečném světě…
Marcelo je jeden z nejzajímavějších hrdinů, s jakými jsem měla doposud tu čest. A bylo mi opravdu potěšením s ním strávit tak příjemný čas. Přestože je vám ho líto, a chcete za něj bojovat všechny jeho bitvy a chránit ho stůj co stůj, stejně je zajímavé sledovat, jak je vlastně rozkošně opatrný, naivní a nevinný. Je to přesně ten typ hrdiny, který si najde místo ve vašem srdci a už ho nikdy neopustí.
Kniha není ale výjimečná pouze hlavním hrdinou, přestože on sám dokáže dělat divy, celý příběh je ohromně obyčejně neobyčejný. Velice zručně autor popisuje Marcelův normální život, takže přestože se nejedná o žádnou epickou zápletku, která by vám mohla zamotat hlavu, stejně vám tu hlavu zamotá a dlouho po dočtení o knize budete přemýšlet. Příběh je zkrátka obyčejný, ale díky autorovu skvělému psacímu umu a dokonalosti, s jakou vykreslil všechny hrdiny a s jakou péčí vytvořil Marcela, se dostává kniha na úplně jinou úroveň a stává se něčím naprosto úžasným.
Marcelo ve skutečném světě je kniha plných úžasných myšlenek a její lehké proudění možná nebude po chuti milovníkovi pořádné akce. Přesto ale se jedná o svižnou knihu, která se čte opravdu skvěle. A kdo se rozhodne, že jí dá šanci, nebude rozhodně litovat.
July 7, 2016
This book started out interestingly, with an interesting character voice and concept, but it did not hold together throughout, and by the end I was fed up and wishing to be done with it. The main character has something that is like Asperger’s but not actually Asperger’s, which makes it convenient for the author to pick his symptoms, I guess. He hears music in his head, has a special interest in religion, has trouble understanding people, and sometimes refers to himself and people he’s addressing in the third person.
One thing I noticed was that he speaks in a precise manner, and sometimes the other characters speak in the same way, even though that manner of speech isn’t in character for them. It was like the style bled through, and the author couldn’t differentiate the characters. I know Wendell is the evil, nasty character, but I don’t believe he would basically and I didn’t believe that Marcelo would want to be friends with that guy in the first place. Marcelo’s connection with Jasmine was undeveloped, and it was unbelievable that he would decide to at the time he did. The central mystery, if you can call it that, was fairly dull and obvious.
My least favorite thing, though, is the lack of connection Marcelo seemed to feel to those things that were at first presented as key parts of his character. He basically loses a lot of the “autistic-like” qualities the author gave him in the first place and is fine with joining the “real world.” This is not a satisfying resolution to the plot. The mental music turns out to be more of a metaphor for making moral choices than an actual important part of the plot. Speaking of moral choices, the whole philosophical discussions of morality toward the end did not ring true at all. I never got the impression the choice Marcelo made was even difficult for him, and that made it hard to take seriously all the musing. It felt trite; the plot and characters of this book are too thin to support a believable conclusion on such topics.
One thing I noticed was that he speaks in a precise manner, and sometimes the other characters speak in the same way, even though that manner of speech isn’t in character for them. It was like the style bled through, and the author couldn’t differentiate the characters. I know Wendell is the evil, nasty character, but I don’t believe he would basically and I didn’t believe that Marcelo would want to be friends with that guy in the first place. Marcelo’s connection with Jasmine was undeveloped, and it was unbelievable that he would decide to at the time he did. The central mystery, if you can call it that, was fairly dull and obvious.
My least favorite thing, though, is the lack of connection Marcelo seemed to feel to those things that were at first presented as key parts of his character. He basically loses a lot of the “autistic-like” qualities the author gave him in the first place and is fine with joining the “real world.” This is not a satisfying resolution to the plot. The mental music turns out to be more of a metaphor for making moral choices than an actual important part of the plot. Speaking of moral choices, the whole philosophical discussions of morality toward the end did not ring true at all. I never got the impression the choice Marcelo made was even difficult for him, and that made it hard to take seriously all the musing. It felt trite; the plot and characters of this book are too thin to support a believable conclusion on such topics.
October 24, 2015
"If you liked The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, you're bound to like this," I was told. Ok, a ya book with an autistic protag. But then it became a ya book with an autistic protag about sexual objectification. Then, a ya book with an autistic protag about negotiating religious beliefs against lived experience. And then, ya book with autistic protag negotiates right notes vs wrong notes, asexuality, loyalty, trash-talking demented farmers and their kin. And finally I give up and call this a ya book that refuses to be pigeon-holed into any didactic genre, because we're navigating the "real world" here, and life is never so easily defined.
This book excels at breaking down rationalization to its key elements, guiding inexperienced readers to deduce and develop insight as Marcelo illustrates through his own machinations. This device would feel pedantic if Marcelo's very specific thought-process descriptions couldn't be excused by his "high-functioning, Asperger-esque" autism. In the end, it doesn't matter what you know or understand about autism at all -- this is a how-to-be-a-grown-up book that even grown-ups might learn from.
This book excels at breaking down rationalization to its key elements, guiding inexperienced readers to deduce and develop insight as Marcelo illustrates through his own machinations. This device would feel pedantic if Marcelo's very specific thought-process descriptions couldn't be excused by his "high-functioning, Asperger-esque" autism. In the end, it doesn't matter what you know or understand about autism at all -- this is a how-to-be-a-grown-up book that even grown-ups might learn from.
January 20, 2018
Osobne som si pred prečítaním myslela, že táto kniha je pre deti. No teraz neviem. Možno tak od 14 vyššie. Je to spojenie Foresta Gumpa a Čudnej príhody so psom uprostred noci. Marcelo (marselo) má 17 rokov a veľmi slabú autistickú poruchu, spomína sa Aspergerov syndróm. Jeho otec si však myslí, že by mal spoznať skutočný svet a tak ho na tri mesiace zamestná vo svojej právnickej firme. Tam sa snaží rozpoznať, kedy ľudia hovoria doslova a kedy v metaforách, čo je to láska a že každé naše rozhodnutie ovplyvňuje nie len nás, ale aj ostatných okolo. Je tam aj trocha právnickej trilero-detektívky, ale tá je len materiálom, na lepšie pochopenie Marcela a jeho premeny. Marcelo je veľmi morálna postava, keďže jeho špeciálnym záujmom je náboženstvo (rozpráva sa s rabínkou, hoci je katolík, no zaujíma ho všeobecne aj budhizmus a iné náboženstvá). A práve jeho morálne ja je skúšané v tejto knihe. Obstojí alebo ho svet zmätie a on chtiac-nechtiac všetko pokazí?
August 15, 2012
Unique, important, insightful, amazing. I can't level enough praise on it. One of the best novels I've read in the last 5 years.
December 14, 2020
Šesťdesiata štvrtá tohtoročná 📖 prečítaná 💪 (64/53)
Francisco X. Stork: Marcelo objavuje skutočný svet (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Pri akomkoľvek rozhodnutí niečo stratíš. Vždy ide o to, čo si môžeš dovoliť stratiť. Ja tu teraz nehrám na klavíri. Je na tebe, aby si sa rozhodol, aká nota bude nasledovať.
„Ale ako mám vedieť, že tá ďalšia nota bude správna?“
„Správna nota znie správne a nesprávna nesprávne.“
🎼 Marcelo je 17-ročný mladík so zvláštnym typom autizmu, vďaka ktorej vníma hudbu úplne špeciálne. Cez leto by rád brigádoval pri poníkoch, ale otec ho postaví pred výzvu a ponúkne mu stráviť istý čas v jeho právnickej firme, aby sa Marcelovi otvorili oči a spoznáal tak „skutočný svet“.
👩💻 Táto kniha mi na poličke ležala už veľmi dlho a nejako som sa k nej nevedela dostať. Je to možno aj neatraktívnou obálkou; viem si predstaviť, že s inou obálkou by to mohol byť pokojne young adult hit, pretože toto je presne kniha pre 15+ Škoda, že vyšla už pred 10 rokmi (a teraz je vypredaná). Nie je veľa, čo by som jej mohla vytknúť, okrem zopár skratiek pre plynulejší dej. Marcelovo špeciálne videnie sveta, spôsob, akým ho vníma a premýšľa, sa zrazu mení: z pokojného života v špeciálnej škole sa dostáva do súťaživého korporátu, v ktorom postupne odkrýva povahy a prekvapivé rozhodnutia kolegov, čo je o to ťažšie, ak ide o jeho najbližších. Ak ste na Netflixe videli Atypical, je to veľmi podobné, až na to, že Marcelovou top záľubou nie sú tučniaky, ale náboženstvo. Sám je katolík, no jeho rozhovory s rabínkou patria medzi najzaujímavejšie pasáže v knihe.
💡 Táto kniha je už síce vypredaná, ale rada ju požičiam hocikomu, kto bude chcieť 🙃
Francisco X. Stork: Marcelo objavuje skutočný svet (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Pri akomkoľvek rozhodnutí niečo stratíš. Vždy ide o to, čo si môžeš dovoliť stratiť. Ja tu teraz nehrám na klavíri. Je na tebe, aby si sa rozhodol, aká nota bude nasledovať.
„Ale ako mám vedieť, že tá ďalšia nota bude správna?“
„Správna nota znie správne a nesprávna nesprávne.“
🎼 Marcelo je 17-ročný mladík so zvláštnym typom autizmu, vďaka ktorej vníma hudbu úplne špeciálne. Cez leto by rád brigádoval pri poníkoch, ale otec ho postaví pred výzvu a ponúkne mu stráviť istý čas v jeho právnickej firme, aby sa Marcelovi otvorili oči a spoznáal tak „skutočný svet“.
👩💻 Táto kniha mi na poličke ležala už veľmi dlho a nejako som sa k nej nevedela dostať. Je to možno aj neatraktívnou obálkou; viem si predstaviť, že s inou obálkou by to mohol byť pokojne young adult hit, pretože toto je presne kniha pre 15+ Škoda, že vyšla už pred 10 rokmi (a teraz je vypredaná). Nie je veľa, čo by som jej mohla vytknúť, okrem zopár skratiek pre plynulejší dej. Marcelovo špeciálne videnie sveta, spôsob, akým ho vníma a premýšľa, sa zrazu mení: z pokojného života v špeciálnej škole sa dostáva do súťaživého korporátu, v ktorom postupne odkrýva povahy a prekvapivé rozhodnutia kolegov, čo je o to ťažšie, ak ide o jeho najbližších. Ak ste na Netflixe videli Atypical, je to veľmi podobné, až na to, že Marcelovou top záľubou nie sú tučniaky, ale náboženstvo. Sám je katolík, no jeho rozhovory s rabínkou patria medzi najzaujímavejšie pasáže v knihe.
💡 Táto kniha je už síce vypredaná, ale rada ju požičiam hocikomu, kto bude chcieť 🙃
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