Best Boy

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the "Old Fox" of P... (more)

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the "Old Fox" of Payton LivingCenter. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel "normal" again. Undone by these pressures, Todd attempts an escape to return "home" to his younger brother and to a childhood that now inhabits only his dreams. Written astonishingly in the first-person voice of an autistic, adult man, Best Boy{u2015}with its unforgettable portraits of Todd{u2019}s beloved mother, whose sweet voice still sings from the grave, and a staffer named Raykene, who says that Todd "reflects the beauty of His creation"{u2015}is a piercing, achingly funny, finally shattering novel no reader can ever forget. (less)

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the "Old Fox" of P... (more)

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the "Old Fox" of Payton LivingCenter. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel "normal" again. Undone by these pressures, Todd attempts an escape to return "home" to his younger brother and to a childhood that now inhabits only his dreams. Written astonishingly in the first-person voice of an autistic, adult man, Best Boy{u2015}with its unforgettable portraits of Todd{u2019}s beloved mother, whose sweet voice still sings from the grave, and a staffer named Raykene, who says that Todd "reflects the beauty of His creation"{u2015}is a piercing, achingly funny, finally shattering novel no reader can ever forget. (less)

For fans of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime comes this landmark novel about autism, memory, and, ultima... (more)

For fans of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime comes this landmark novel about autism, memory, and, ultimately, redemption. Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the "Old Fox" of Payton Living Center. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel "normal" again. Undone by these pressures, Todd attempts an escape to return "home" to his younger brother and to a childhood that now inhabits only his dreams. Written astonishingly in the first-person voice of an autistic, adult man, Best Boy--with its unforgettable portraits of Todd's beloved mother, whose sweet voice still sings from the grave, and a staffer named Raykene, who says that Todd "reflects the beauty of His creation"--is a piercing, achingly funny, finally shattering novel no reader can ever forget. (less)

"Sent to a ''therapeutic community'' for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the ''Old Fox''... (more)

"Sent to a ''therapeutic community'' for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the ''Old Fox'' of Payton Living Center. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel ''normal'' again. Undone by these pressures, Todd attempts an escape to return ''home'' to his younger brother and to a childhood that now inhabits only his dreams. Written astonishingly in the first-person voice of an autistic, adult man, Best Boy -- with its unforgettable portraits of Todd's beloved mother, whose sweet voice still sings from the grave, and a staffer named Raykene, who says that Todd ''reflects the beauty of His creation'' -- is a piercing, achingly funny, finally shattering novel no reader can ever forget"--Amazon.com. (less)

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the "Old Fox" of P... (more)

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the "Old Fox" of Payton LivingCenter. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel "normal" again. Undone by these pressures, Todd attempts an escape to return "home" to his younger brother and to a childhood that now inhabits only his dreams. Written astonishingly in the first-person voice of an autistic, adult man, Best Boy{u2015}with its unforgettable portraits of Todd{u2019}s beloved mother, whose sweet voice still sings from the grave, and a staffer named Raykene, who says that Todd "reflects the beauty of His creation"{u2015}is a piercing, achingly funny, finally shattering novel no reader can ever forget. (less)

Best Boy tells the story of Philip zPhillyy Wohl, a 50-year-old mentally retarded man who has spent most of his life liv... (more)

Best Boy tells the story of Philip zPhillyy Wohl, a 50-year-old mentally retarded man who has spent most of his life living at home with his parents in Queens, NY. Philly is a gentle soul who is greatly loved by his family, but also over-protected by them. Philly's parents, Max and Pearl, both in their 70s, worry about what will happen to Philly when they are gone, but despite their concern about his future well-being, they have not prepared themselves or Philly for that time.. Never, that is, until a cousin—filmmaker Ira Wohl—becomes involved, starting Philly on a journey toward greater independence and a life beyond the home of his parents. Philly is granted access to a world outside the family home, an experience that both challenges and delights him. He forms a circle of support and friends, who become his "extended family.y The film—which spans four years—culminates in Philly moving into a group home with other developmentally disabled adults.. This Oscar-winning film chronicles the Wohls’ experiences as Philly ventures into a more independent life while telling the universal story of a child finally coming of age—even if the zchildy is, in fact, a man of 50.. (less)