Review of THIS IS HOW WE ARE HUMAN by Louise Beech

4 Stars 

I thought I’d begin the new year with a book by an author new to me.  I will certainly be reading more written by Louise Beech. 

Veronica Murphy is a widow and mother of a neurodivergent son.  Twenty-year-old Sebastian has autism.  He is high functioning but struggles with his sexual urges:  because of misconceptions and prejudices, it is difficult for him to have relationships with people.  Veronica decides to hire an escort to have sex with her son.  That escort is Isabelle, a student nurse who is working as an escort because she desperately needs money.  Of course, there are unforeseen consequences for all. 

Characters are complex and flawed.  Veronica is selflessly devoted to her “beautiful, complex, challenging, difficult, wonderful boy” and fiercely protective of him, perhaps too protective.  Sebastian is perceptive but brutally honest and has difficulty with changes to routine.  Isabelle is loving and compassionate but has self-esteem issues and is sometimes naïve.  The point of view of each of these three is provided so the reader is able to see that each faces a dilemma.  Veronica, for example, wonders whether she has made the right decision for her son, and Isabelle also has to contend with the choices she makes. 

When I first read the promotional blurb, I wondered how realistic the plot would be.  I was pleased to see that the author took pains to detail characters’ motivations so that the bringing together of these characters is believable.  And then this inciting incident marks the beginning of three journeys of self-discovery.  Through sometimes painful experiences, each character learns something about him/herself and others. 

The novel highlights an issue faced by families with autistic children but an issue to which I had not really given much thought.  A person may be neurotypical, but that doesn’t mean that he/she doesn’t have needs and desires; Sebastian is autistic but he, like everyone, wants love and acceptance and has sexual desires.  The book certainly left me wondering what I would do if I were in Veronica’s position.  I found it interesting that the author mentions that the story was inspired by a family with a son on the autism spectrum, a young man who gave her “emotional feedback” as she was writing.  The author obviously wanted an authentic portrayal, and I think she has succeeded. 

This book is a sensitive and compassionate portrayal of people about whom society often makes assumptions.  Though there is pathos in abundance, there is also humour.  Most importantly, it is thought-provoking.