Book review Rubbernecker

If you are craving something different in the line of reading this may just what you are looking for. Rubbernecker is a very unusual book. The main character has Asperger syndrome. It is mainly set in a hospital where he is studying to become a pathologist, for which his excessive nature makes him very suitable.

After reading the first couple of chapters I nearly gave up on this book which seemed to be aimless, fortunately I decided to press on for one more chapter for it suddenly found direction. It would be spoiling the book to even hint on the story line. Suffice to say that there are two unrelated mysteries and the characters are almost all fellow students and their tutors.

Along with being a very good mystery it gives an enlightening view of getting though life with Asperger. Living with an obsession for tidiness and cleanliness and being in a typical student flat is not easy. Neither is being un able to pick up on nuances in people’s speech or facial expressions. Or, on occasions, of not even being taken seriously. These problems are not laid on thickly but rather are just a natural part of the story.

Author Belinda Bauer took quite a risk in writing this book both in the background story and the unusual setting of a couple of chapters but is certainly has come off. It is very well written and definitely a page turner (once it got going) , be prepared for a real surprise ending.

Mike Beckett