Maybe I'm Amazed

A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs

Author: John Harris

A moving and uplifting memoir charting the life of John Harris's autistic son, and how music opened up the world to him, one song at a time.

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Summary

A moving and uplifting memoir charting the life of John Harris's autistic son, and how music opened up the world to him, one song at a time.

Description

In this extraordinary memoir, a father tells the story of how music has opened up the world to his son, one song at a time.

Obsessed with music since he was a child, John Harris had no idea that he was in fact preparing himself for the greatest challenge of his life. But so it transpired. When his son James was born, and three years later diagnosed with autism, music became a source of precious connection and endless wonder for both of them.

Maybe I'm Amazed describes how the music of The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Funkadelic, The Velvet Underground, Amy Winehouse and many more were soon woven into the fabric of James's life, becoming an essential part of who he is. It takes us through the struggles of raising an autistic child in a prejudiced world, and uncovers a hidden history of neurodivergence and creativity that casts new light on why notes, chords and lyrics speak so powerfully to the human mind.

Anyone who has fallen in love with a band or heard their life reflected back to them by a song will recognise themselves in the story of this father and his son. And in considering the intense and transcendent way James absorbs and connects with music, it has lessons in listening and living for us all.

Critic Reviews

Every page breaks your heart then repairs it with love, compassion and the magical power of music. A stunning reminder that the alchemy of music and words can overcome, heal and connect like no other art form. -- Nicky Wire, Manic Street Preachers
This book taught me so much and delighted and moved me even more. Entrancing, heartbreaking, uplifting - a complete inspiration and education. -- Marina Hyde
All of us who love music know it has a power beyond just the sound it makes. In this moving account of life with a neurodivergent child, we get to witness that power first hand. -- Billy Bragg
John Harris's wonderful book provides a touching and personal window into the relationship between a father and his autistic son and is an immensely valuable contribution to our understanding of the special connection between autistic people and music. -- Simon Baron-Cohen
A beautiful story of music and autism, and how one intersects with the other to bring hope, understanding and connection. It is also one of the most affecting accounts of parental devotion I've read. -- Nick Duerden

About the Author

John Harris is a prize-winning writer, journalist and presenter. He has a weekly column in the Guardian, hosts its Politics Weekly UK podcast, and co- created its BAFTA-nominated video series Anywhere But Westminster. He also writes regularly for the music magazine Mojo, and is the author of the acclaimed pop-cultural history of the 1990s, The Last Party, as well as the definitive work on Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of The Moon. He has been awarded the Orwell Prize for Political Journalism and the UK Press Award for Political Commentator of the Year.