A Normal Family

'A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same' David Mitchell, author of THE REASON I JUMP

Johnny is nineteen. He likes music, art and going to the beach. He is also autistic - in his case that means he will probably never get a job, never have a girlfriend, never leave home. And over the last two decades this is what his father, TV producer and comedy writer Henry Normal, and mother, Angela Pell, have been trying to come to terms with.

This is a book for anyone whose life has been touched by autism - it's about the hope, the despair, and the messy, honest, sometimes funny day-to-day world of autism, as well as a wonderful, warm book about the unconditional, unconventional love between a father, a mother and a son.

'The book is about how [Henry] grieved for the life that Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does' The Times

'Candid and funny' Radio Times

'Honest but funny' Sunday Express

'Pell and Normal describe hopes shattered, dreams deferred and victories gained in this brave, funny, and searingly honest memoir' Daily Express

“A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same. A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same. The book is about how [Henry] grieved for the life that Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does - Times The book is about how [they] grieved for the life Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does ... as much as portrait of a marriage as it is a young man with autism. - The Times Tenderly opening a private door to a personal story ... a stunning read that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved - Latest Brighton What leaps off the page is that there's a lot of joy and love in this family - Chortle What leaps off the page is that there's a lot of joy and love in this family - Chortle Honest but funny - Sunday Express”

A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same.

A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same.

The book is about how [Henry] grieved for the life that Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does - Times

The book is about how [they] grieved for the life Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does ... as much as portrait of a marriage as it is a young man with autism. - The Times

Tenderly opening a private door to a personal story ... a stunning read that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved - Latest Brighton

What leaps off the page is that there's a lot of joy and love in this family - Chortle

What leaps off the page is that there's a lot of joy and love in this family - Chortle

Honest but funny - Sunday Express

Henry Normal is an English comedian, television producer, poet and writer. He co-wrote The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, Paul and Pauline Calf's Video Diaries, Coogan's Run, The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon, Dr Terrible's House of Horrible and The Parole Officer. He is Managing Director of Baby Cow Productions Ltd, which he set up with Steve Coogan, responsible for bringing The Mighty Boosh and Gavin and Stacey to the screen, amongst many others.

'A wonderful self-portrait of a family with autism at its heart. Uplifting and grounded, frank and encouraging, serious and funny, A Normal Family affirms that there is life after an ASD diagnosis - an atypical life, yes, but an abundant and nourishing life just the same' David Mitchell, author of THE REASON I JUMPJohnny is nineteen. He likes music, art and going to the beach. He is also autistic - in his case that means he will probably never get a job, never have a girlfriend, never leave home. And over the last two decades this is what his father, TV producer and comedy writer Henry Normal, and mother, Angela Pell, have been trying to come to terms with. This is a book for anyone whose life has been touched by autism - it's about the hope, the despair, and the messy, honest, sometimes funny day-to-day world of autism, as well as a wonderful, warm book about the unconditional, unconventional love between a father, a mother and a son. 'The book is about how [Henry] grieved for the life that Johnny isn't able to have - and learnt to celebrate the one that he does' The Times 'Candid and funny' Radio Times 'Honest but funny' Sunday Express 'Pell and Normal describe hopes shattered, dreams deferred and victories gained in this brave, funny, and searingly honest memoir' Daily Express

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