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Reviewed by Kristen A. Peters for Readers' Favorite
The Human Rubric: A Memoir of Life in a Neurotypical World is a remarkable work in which Dr. James P. Manning reflects on his experience of growing up and living in a neurotypical world full of implicit social norms. The author takes readers on an emotional journey into his personal past by describing several key incidents related to childhood misfitting, sensory overload, obsession with certain ideas, and inability to interpret social cues correctly. By choosing not to use any diagnostic terms to describe his life experiences, Dr. Manning helps to immerse readers in the complex and often difficult reality of trying to navigate life in a world where things are not clear at first glance. As the author states, his work is devoted to "misfitting, masking, and finding a way to live in a world I didn't naturally know how to read." The author narrates the process of growing from confusion into gaining new insights and building an understanding of one's place in the world.
The Human Rubric by Dr. James P Manning stands out among similar works in the author's restraint and the careful structural decisions he made in writing it. He avoids sentimentality by focusing instead on his observations and using certain motifs throughout the book. For example, the episodic nature of the narrative supports the main idea perfectly. The depiction of obsession and self-monitoring does not seem exaggerated or overly clinical, which only adds to the effectiveness of the author's message. Although the pacing is leisurely, it does not undermine the authentic and meaningful storytelling. The Human Rubric is definitely worth reading because of its originality and unique approach to the topic of neurodiversity. A well-deserved five-star rating. Very highly recommended!
