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Hi Sphinx, I’m sorry you’re feeling lonely (not an uncommon experience for many autistic people). I haven’t read any Piranesi - I have been more interested in English writers in general - especially Victorian literature and poetry. I’m fascinated by Buddhism too - but have recently been reading about the Tibetan Bon religion - which has some things in common with Buddhism. Years ago I went to see the Dalai Lama speak at an event and I was very inspired by him. I really enjoy classical music - though I’m not that knowledgeable about contemporary classical music. I once went to see some Ligeti played at a concert and found it pretty tough going. I prefer things like Mahler, Bach, Rachmaninov, and early choral music. Years ago I lived in London and went to load of excellent classical concerts, but I don’t get to do that now unfortunately. I really miss it. We once went to see Guiliano Carmignola playing at St John’s Smith Square and it was one of the musical highlights of my life. 
I notice that someone on this thread mentions film music - I really enjoy film music. There’s a really enjoyable film music programme in Classic FM on a Saturday late afternoon/evening which I always enjoy if I happen to have the radio on. 

Hi Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to reply in this much depth. 

Apologies for my lack of clarity — Piranesi is the name of a short novel by Susanna Clarke. It's a high fantasy book — not my usual genre choice but a very immersive world. The book I'm reading now, A Little Life, is by Hanya Yanagihara. It’s a huge work, beautiful, intricate, and heartbreaking.

You say you particularly enjoy Victorian literature — do you have favourite authors or books?

Thank you for sharing about your musical experiences. I love Bach too, and early choral/vocal music. Have you come across Hildegard von Bingen?

I do enjoy Ligheti, and there are lots of other names I could recommend: Pauline Oliveros is wonderful, both for her music and her philosophy. Arvo Pärt, John Tavener, Kaia Saariaho… Outside of classical music, I love Bulgarian choral music.

I’m interested in the concept of film music – the way music and images can relate to each other and bring out elements of each other – but I haven’t heard much

Ah - I see! No wonder I was a bit confused!  I will investigate the two books - I’m always looking for good recommendations. I was quite obsessive about the Brontes when I was younger (and still am really), and also really liked Thomas Hardy. I also like contemporary novels that art set in the Victorian era - such as The Crimson Petal and the White, and Alias Grace. I love Wide Sargasso Sea too.
 I think I was entranced when I was younger with all the tragic female heroines - but now I’ve experienced life a bit more I’m a bit less keen on the tragedy! I’ve had a tough couple of years and at the moment I’m not wanting to delve into darker aspects of life - I’m looking for something more uplifting and escapist. 
I really like Arvo Part and Tavener. I like music that has a very spiritual feel to it - although I don’t follow any conventional form of religion I really love religious music. I love to hear psalms sung at Evensong. Myself and my son love Gregorian chant too. I really like Hildegard Von Bingen  as well - really beautiful. 
I went to see the Trio Bulgarka (I might be spelling that wrong!) at the Royal festival Hall in the late eighties/early nineties when I was a student - I really enjoyed hearing them live. I really miss live music. 

I was quite obsessive about Mahler years ago and travelled to Austria and visited his Composing Hut in the woods above the Worther See - and swam in the lake because he’d swam in the lake, and visited his grave. His symphonies spoke to me so much - and I still feel so connected to them. 

Ah - I see! No wonder I was a bit confused!  I will investigate the two books - I’m always looking for good recommendations. I was quite obsessive about the Brontes when I was younger (and still am really), and also really liked Thomas Hardy. I also like contemporary novels that art set in the Victorian era - such as The Crimson Petal and the White, and Alias Grace. I love Wide Sargasso Sea too.
 I think I was entranced when I was younger with all the tragic female heroines - but now I’ve experienced life a bit more I’m a bit less keen on the tragedy! I’ve had a tough couple of years and at the moment I’m not wanting to delve into darker aspects of life - I’m looking for something more uplifting and escapist. 
I really like Arvo Part and Tavener. I like music that has a very spiritual feel to it - although I don’t follow any conventional form of religion I really love religious music. I love to hear psalms sung at Evensong. Myself and my son love Gregorian chant too. I really like Hildegard Von Bingen  as well - really beautiful. 
I went to see the Trio Bulgarka (I might be spelling that wrong!) at the Royal festival Hall in the late eighties/early nineties when I was a student - I really enjoyed hearing them live. I really miss live music. 

I was quite obsessive about Mahler years ago and travelled to Austria and visited his Composing Hut in the woods above the Worther See - and swam in the lake because he’d swam in the lake, and visited his grave. His symphonies spoke to me so much - and I still feel so connected to them. 

Hi, I bought Arbos by Arvo Part and loved it.  I also like Mahler a lot too.  It would be nice if we could get a zoom group together to share experiences of being Autistic.  Is anyone interested?

Thank you so much for all this detail.

I love Tess of the d'Urbervilles, but haven't read any other Hardy novels. I need to fix that! I've enjoyed some of the Bronte books I've read — Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights... I haven't read the contemporary books you mention, but have heard of Alias Grace and Wide Sargasso Sea.  I will have an explore, thank you :) I'm always looking for reading recommendations! 

I'm so sorry to hear you've had a tough few years. I hope you're finding sources of support. Given it's been a hard time, I respect your desire to be wary of going too deep into darker literature. I would suggest in that case to take lot of care with A Little Life, it's devastating, albeit beautiful.

I love Gregorian chant too! I resonate with what you say about appreciating religious music without necessarily wanting to engage in traditional spiritual practice yourself. Something about the passion and devotion in that music is deeply moving and meaningfulto me.

I realise I forgot to reply to what you shared about your previous interest in Buddhism and Tibetan spiritual practice. I first came across Buddhism in an RE lesson when I was 12, and was quite deeply absorbed in it for eight years or so after that. It gave me a lot, not least through inspiring much of my creative and some of my academic work. I hope I'll be able to return to it at some point, even if in a slightly different form. Was there something in particular that drew you to studying these practices, or something that struck you in what the Dalai Lama said?

Your passion for Mahler is wonderful to read about, thank you for sharing. Do you have a favourite symphony?