Hi guys! I am currently writing a dissertation on autism in literature and wondered if anyone had read any adult books with concealed autistic representation or autistic masking? Thanks so much in advance!
Hi guys! I am currently writing a dissertation on autism in literature and wondered if anyone had read any adult books with concealed autistic representation or autistic masking? Thanks so much in advance!
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I mean ‘characters showing unacknowledged autistic traits.’
In terms of adult, I specifically mean adult classic texts (i.e. not children’s books). I am particularly looking for female characters who are portrayed as being ‘mad’ but are likely autistic.
Mina from Dracula certainly isn't portrayed as mad, but she does come across as autistic to me- she seems to have special interests relating to trains and technology, she's very loyal, and she apparently only has one friend. I might be projecting quite a bit because I love that novel and she's one of my favourite characters, but in my opinion there's enough textual evidence to back up a reading of Mina as an autistic woman.
Mina from Dracula certainly isn't portrayed as mad, but she does come across as autistic to me- she seems to have special interests relating to trains and technology, she's very loyal, and she apparently only has one friend. I might be projecting quite a bit because I love that novel and she's one of my favourite characters, but in my opinion there's enough textual evidence to back up a reading of Mina as an autistic woman.