When Mia Parkson’s father disappears during a morning hike in Virginia, the only witness is her younger brother, Eugene, who has autism and a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome. Because Eugene is non-verbal, the family cannot ask him what happened at the park. The narrative follows Mia as she sifts through her father’s private notebooks, which reveal his secret obsession with measuring human happiness through a mathematical formula. As the police investigation intensifies, the family must learn to use a specialized letterboard communication method to unlock Eugene’s memory. The story tracks the neurological differences in how humans process language and the physical evidence left behind at the riverbank.
This book serves readers interested in the intersection of linguistics, disability rights, and domestic suspense. It appeals to those who want a technical look at nonspeaking communication and the scientific bias inherent in IQ testing. Readers walk away with an understanding of the presumption of competence and how neurodivergent individuals navigate a world designed for oral speech. It provides a detailed examination of how family dynamics shift when long-held assumptions about a sibling’s cognitive abilities are proven wrong during a crisis.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2023
- Language
- EN
