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With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child #1
With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child
Born during the sunrise - an auspicious beginning - the Azumas' newborn son is named Hikaru, which means "light". But during one play date, his mother notices that her son is slightly different from the other children. In the alternately heartwarming and bittersweet tale, a young mother tries to cope with both the overwhelming discovery of her child's autism and the trials of raising him while keeping her family together. This is a story that resonates not only for those whose families have been affected by autism, but also for all past, present, and future parents.
528 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2007
About the author
Keiko Tobe
27 books35 followersKeiko Tobe (1957-January 28, 2010) was a mangaka who wrote primarily josei manga. She was best known for creating With the Light, which won an Excellence Prize in the Japan Media Arts Festival Awards in 2004 from the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and inspired a television drama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
June 23, 2008
I marked this book as "to-read" for fairly personal reasons. As a person with a disabled sister and as someone who provides respite care for families with disabled relatives, this was something that sparked my interest. As far as the art itself is concerned, I felt it fairly standard "manga" fare; large-eyed women, bobble-headed children, flowery/bubbly backgrounds. Clean, certainly. There was a very nice grace that the character designs maintained throughout the novel, and the proportions were accurate. Unfortunately, color panels were reproduced in black and white, but this is common enough in manga that it wasn't terribly off-putting for me.
What gripped me more than the art, however, was the story. Throughout it all, I was amazed at the universality of circumstances when raising or working with a mentally disabled child. The story is set in Japan, but it could have easily taken place anywhere. The depictions of Hikaru's autistic behavioral issues was amazingly accurate. The authoress did her homework, and it shows. More poignant for me,however, was how the outside world saw Hikaru, and by extention, his family. To say "I could relate" would be an understatement of massive proportions.
This novel should not be limited to those in the disabled community. It gives a sharp insight into what exactly families with disabled children are going through, an insight that the rest of the world direly needs. One of the themes throughout this book is that all people, especially those with autism, respond more to visual cues. How better, than, to relate such a story than through a graphic novel? The pictures invite a greater understanding through commonality. Because autism is such a difficult subject to comprehend, even for those who do have children with the disorder, this novel gives a very accurate view with image alone.
The only drawback I had with this novel was the amount of love and support the family found. It has been my personal experience that teachers are not quite as lenient, and that strangers are not as understanding. However, this is fiction, so allowances can be made. They family in this graphic novel have it really, really, really good. If I had one wish, it would be that everyone could have that kind of fortune.
What gripped me more than the art, however, was the story. Throughout it all, I was amazed at the universality of circumstances when raising or working with a mentally disabled child. The story is set in Japan, but it could have easily taken place anywhere. The depictions of Hikaru's autistic behavioral issues was amazingly accurate. The authoress did her homework, and it shows. More poignant for me,however, was how the outside world saw Hikaru, and by extention, his family. To say "I could relate" would be an understatement of massive proportions.
This novel should not be limited to those in the disabled community. It gives a sharp insight into what exactly families with disabled children are going through, an insight that the rest of the world direly needs. One of the themes throughout this book is that all people, especially those with autism, respond more to visual cues. How better, than, to relate such a story than through a graphic novel? The pictures invite a greater understanding through commonality. Because autism is such a difficult subject to comprehend, even for those who do have children with the disorder, this novel gives a very accurate view with image alone.
The only drawback I had with this novel was the amount of love and support the family found. It has been my personal experience that teachers are not quite as lenient, and that strangers are not as understanding. However, this is fiction, so allowances can be made. They family in this graphic novel have it really, really, really good. If I had one wish, it would be that everyone could have that kind of fortune.
February 11, 2013
These have got to be the best books I've read about autism ever. Even better than these sort of scientific kind of things, and books by parents.
It's just so sweet. The way they try to include Hikaru and understand him. It's a book filled with sweetness and compassion and it's best not to read it in public if you are like me and get wet eyes over people being kind to people.
Seriously, Read this book about autism and not age of autism and sites like that. I mean it! Those sort of sites are all negativity. This book has hope. She learns that if she understands Hikaru on his own terms, things will get better for the family.
It's just so sweet. The way they try to include Hikaru and understand him. It's a book filled with sweetness and compassion and it's best not to read it in public if you are like me and get wet eyes over people being kind to people.
Seriously, Read this book about autism and not age of autism and sites like that. I mean it! Those sort of sites are all negativity. This book has hope. She learns that if she understands Hikaru on his own terms, things will get better for the family.
January 5, 2009
Before I read this book, I thought I just lacked the "manga gene." I love American comics, but Japanese comics were incomprehensible to me. But it turned out I was just reading the wrong genres of manga. This book instantly grabbed me, and wouldn't let go. (Which is not to say that I didn't struggle at all with it, just that it was much easier to follow, and gave me an incentive to figure it out when I had trouble.)
I fell for little Hikaru, and soared when he triumphed and sorrowed for his defeats, much like a mother would. I learned much about autism that I didn't already know between this and the second volume. And the interaction of caring for an autistic child in Japanese culture was fascinating.
One thing I liked from a structural point of view was the English translations of sound effects written in small letters alongside the originals. I felt like it allowed the original art and intention to shine through without leaving me, the American reader, behind. It's so much better than the usual lack of translation or glossary in the back.
I would heartily recommend these books. And I would love to know if there are others out there like this in the US!
I fell for little Hikaru, and soared when he triumphed and sorrowed for his defeats, much like a mother would. I learned much about autism that I didn't already know between this and the second volume. And the interaction of caring for an autistic child in Japanese culture was fascinating.
One thing I liked from a structural point of view was the English translations of sound effects written in small letters alongside the originals. I felt like it allowed the original art and intention to shine through without leaving me, the American reader, behind. It's so much better than the usual lack of translation or glossary in the back.
I would heartily recommend these books. And I would love to know if there are others out there like this in the US!
March 23, 2016
Although this manga is ambitious and big-hearted, there were two things that put me off the narrative as the whole, and I wish the artist/writer had taken into stronger consideration:
1) The child and title character of the book, Hikaru, is never a real character; he's never anything except his illness, and while there are hints of his personality (he loves trains and blocks) he never progresses beyond simple, disabled child against whom the main character has to define herself.
2) Twice in this narrative, experts and educators urge the characters (and therefore, readers) to talk to an autistic child, in the same way you would to a foreigner, with simple words and big gestures. This is pretty insulting on a variety of levels, and a former gaijin living in Japan, I can speak from personal experience that this is a really hurtful and condescending attitude. Furthermore, when foreign characters are introduced, they speak in fractured Japanese and, like the autistic child, serve solely to make the main character feel better about herself.
I don't think people should ignore or walk from this book if they're interested; I just wish these two points had been handled more sensitively. This book may read like a PSA, but when I was living in Japan (between 1998-2001, right when this first volume was published) very few people knew what autism was, and viewed any non-neurotypical behavior as shameful, something to be hidden away and not spoken of. If this work and others like it went any distance to making life better for families with autism in Japan, then that's great. However, this could have been a transcendent work, appealing to audiences in many countries, if not for the two points above. I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series.
1) The child and title character of the book, Hikaru, is never a real character; he's never anything except his illness, and while there are hints of his personality (he loves trains and blocks) he never progresses beyond simple, disabled child against whom the main character has to define herself.
2) Twice in this narrative, experts and educators urge the characters (and therefore, readers) to talk to an autistic child, in the same way you would to a foreigner, with simple words and big gestures. This is pretty insulting on a variety of levels, and a former gaijin living in Japan, I can speak from personal experience that this is a really hurtful and condescending attitude. Furthermore, when foreign characters are introduced, they speak in fractured Japanese and, like the autistic child, serve solely to make the main character feel better about herself.
I don't think people should ignore or walk from this book if they're interested; I just wish these two points had been handled more sensitively. This book may read like a PSA, but when I was living in Japan (between 1998-2001, right when this first volume was published) very few people knew what autism was, and viewed any non-neurotypical behavior as shameful, something to be hidden away and not spoken of. If this work and others like it went any distance to making life better for families with autism in Japan, then that's great. However, this could have been a transcendent work, appealing to audiences in many countries, if not for the two points above. I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series.
November 5, 2007
OK: Manga. What images does that word create?
Images of biologically impossible physical feats, computer super-brains, cybernetically or anatomically enhanced young people (usually female), mega-weapons and all-out Armageddon spring to mind?
Perhaps.
However, those who know a little about the topic (which I admit, I am not one) will tell you that in Japan there are as many types of manga as there are genres in fiction. Not all manga is like the suggestions given above, though outside Japan, to be fair, such a broad range is less common.
Sales outside Japan though are on the rise. I understand that the TokyoPop imprint has been very successful, for one, not to mention the Ghost in the Shell and the Akira series for another.
Here though, from a new imprint, we have a very different novel in a graphic format.
With the Light (published as Hikari to Tomoni in Japan) tells the contemporary story of a young mother, Sachiko Azuma, whose first child is born as the sun is rising. For that reason he is named Hikaru (meaning ‘to be bright’ or ‘light’ in Japanese.) All is initially well, though there are soon signs that Hikaru is not the same as other children – seemingly quiet and inward-looking, disengaged from events around him, becoming upset at things that do not normally upset young children and not upset at the things that do.
At about one and a half years old, Hikaru is tested for deafness, though eventually it is realised that he is not deaf but autistic. The majority of this book is about how Sachiko and her husband deal with this issue, helping Hikaru cope and showing the consequences of the Azuma family learning to survive and adjust to a new situation as Hikaru goes through his early years.
There are no robots, no spaceships, no mega-battles here. Instead there is a gentle, sometimes humorous, often sad, story of human emotions and relationships. I realise that this is not the usual item for an SFF site to review, but it is stunning. The story is sympathetic to the situation and though in places it can be a little mawkish for some, it examines many aspects of the real world through the comic medium, as does the best comic book or novel.
It is also a major tome: 528 pages of graphic novel, produced by Yen Press in the Japanese reading format (back page to front page, right to left on the page) yet with a scrupulous translation from the Japanese into an engaging and readable English version. Once I got used to the format I read it very quickly. I read it in two major sittings.
This book surprised me a great deal on a number of levels, as I might expect it will others. It has depth and detail, light and shade, humour and pathos. Putting my cards on the table, as the father of a boy diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, it was at times an uncomfortable read, though the events examined were pretty realistic and clearly relatable to from my experience. In a wider less personal context, it examines the issues that many parents have had to face in an increasingly common situation, as well as the actions and attitudes of those around the family involved. With such a common bond, ultimately, whilst not a self-help guide, this book made me aware that dealing with autistic children is an experience that crosses international boundaries.
In summary then, an impressive and very moving read, and one therefore that may be worthy of your attention. For those manga fans looking for something a little different, or perhaps wanting to show that manga is not always what the outsider’s perceptions imagine it to be, the book makes an interesting counterpoint to those who read and enjoyed Elizabeth Moon’s The Speed of Dark (another book written based on autistic experiences.) This is an unusual book from a new publisher of manga. Though the rest of its proposed publishing may be more traditional, this is an interesting start. Recommended.
Images of biologically impossible physical feats, computer super-brains, cybernetically or anatomically enhanced young people (usually female), mega-weapons and all-out Armageddon spring to mind?
Perhaps.
However, those who know a little about the topic (which I admit, I am not one) will tell you that in Japan there are as many types of manga as there are genres in fiction. Not all manga is like the suggestions given above, though outside Japan, to be fair, such a broad range is less common.
Sales outside Japan though are on the rise. I understand that the TokyoPop imprint has been very successful, for one, not to mention the Ghost in the Shell and the Akira series for another.
Here though, from a new imprint, we have a very different novel in a graphic format.
With the Light (published as Hikari to Tomoni in Japan) tells the contemporary story of a young mother, Sachiko Azuma, whose first child is born as the sun is rising. For that reason he is named Hikaru (meaning ‘to be bright’ or ‘light’ in Japanese.) All is initially well, though there are soon signs that Hikaru is not the same as other children – seemingly quiet and inward-looking, disengaged from events around him, becoming upset at things that do not normally upset young children and not upset at the things that do.
At about one and a half years old, Hikaru is tested for deafness, though eventually it is realised that he is not deaf but autistic. The majority of this book is about how Sachiko and her husband deal with this issue, helping Hikaru cope and showing the consequences of the Azuma family learning to survive and adjust to a new situation as Hikaru goes through his early years.
There are no robots, no spaceships, no mega-battles here. Instead there is a gentle, sometimes humorous, often sad, story of human emotions and relationships. I realise that this is not the usual item for an SFF site to review, but it is stunning. The story is sympathetic to the situation and though in places it can be a little mawkish for some, it examines many aspects of the real world through the comic medium, as does the best comic book or novel.
It is also a major tome: 528 pages of graphic novel, produced by Yen Press in the Japanese reading format (back page to front page, right to left on the page) yet with a scrupulous translation from the Japanese into an engaging and readable English version. Once I got used to the format I read it very quickly. I read it in two major sittings.
This book surprised me a great deal on a number of levels, as I might expect it will others. It has depth and detail, light and shade, humour and pathos. Putting my cards on the table, as the father of a boy diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, it was at times an uncomfortable read, though the events examined were pretty realistic and clearly relatable to from my experience. In a wider less personal context, it examines the issues that many parents have had to face in an increasingly common situation, as well as the actions and attitudes of those around the family involved. With such a common bond, ultimately, whilst not a self-help guide, this book made me aware that dealing with autistic children is an experience that crosses international boundaries.
In summary then, an impressive and very moving read, and one therefore that may be worthy of your attention. For those manga fans looking for something a little different, or perhaps wanting to show that manga is not always what the outsider’s perceptions imagine it to be, the book makes an interesting counterpoint to those who read and enjoyed Elizabeth Moon’s The Speed of Dark (another book written based on autistic experiences.) This is an unusual book from a new publisher of manga. Though the rest of its proposed publishing may be more traditional, this is an interesting start. Recommended.
March 14, 2009
So... this is a manga (Japanese comic) about autism. Really. That was so unusual that I kind of had to check it out of the library.
I'm not sorry I did, either, aside from the fact that I stayed up too late a few nights this week because I was reading it. The story follows a young Japanese mother as she struggles with raising her first child, both before and after learning that he is autistic. The plot, which focuses on the daily life of the family, is sometimes a bit sappy, but I still found myself engaged with the characters. In addition, this book packs in a TON of information about autism without getting textbooky. It seems like it would be a really awesome resource for someone (particularly someone living in Japan) who had just learned that someone close to them had autism. That doesn't describe me, but I think I'm going to look for volume 2 at the library anyhow.
This also was my first experience reading manga printed in the Japanese style, with the binding on the right and each page read from right to left. After about five pages, it was pretty natural-feeling.
I'm not sorry I did, either, aside from the fact that I stayed up too late a few nights this week because I was reading it. The story follows a young Japanese mother as she struggles with raising her first child, both before and after learning that he is autistic. The plot, which focuses on the daily life of the family, is sometimes a bit sappy, but I still found myself engaged with the characters. In addition, this book packs in a TON of information about autism without getting textbooky. It seems like it would be a really awesome resource for someone (particularly someone living in Japan) who had just learned that someone close to them had autism. That doesn't describe me, but I think I'm going to look for volume 2 at the library anyhow.
This also was my first experience reading manga printed in the Japanese style, with the binding on the right and each page read from right to left. After about five pages, it was pretty natural-feeling.
December 8, 2021
“it’s not a matter of them being difficult, it’s a matter of them suffering.”
As someone who was diagnosed with autism when I was 8 I still vividly remember the hassle to get tested only for a vague response. This book although told from a neurotypical point of view does a really good job at conveying the struggles both children with severe autism and the parents go through. I really felt bad for the mother in this story I know several mothers with autistic children and I know how scared and alone they feel, so I’m glad there’s a book out there that although very dramatized can provide them with a sense of comfort; knowing they aren’t alone in this matter. This book is a bit old…so there’s some facts that are a bit off, such as referring to autism as a disease instead of a mental illness, but this book for the most part is very accurate and respectful to autistic children.
As someone who was diagnosed with autism when I was 8 I still vividly remember the hassle to get tested only for a vague response. This book although told from a neurotypical point of view does a really good job at conveying the struggles both children with severe autism and the parents go through. I really felt bad for the mother in this story I know several mothers with autistic children and I know how scared and alone they feel, so I’m glad there’s a book out there that although very dramatized can provide them with a sense of comfort; knowing they aren’t alone in this matter. This book is a bit old…so there’s some facts that are a bit off, such as referring to autism as a disease instead of a mental illness, but this book for the most part is very accurate and respectful to autistic children.
July 5, 2017
I really enjoyed and appreciated this series the first read through, but that was a decade ago. So I didn't want to get my hopes up... because 19 year old me didn't have the best taste in things. But I liked it enough to hold on to it when I ended up having to get rid of 90% of my books due to reasons.
Read more here:
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
Read more here:
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
January 18, 2023
I cried so much.
July 23, 2019
I came across this book in my college library and was interested in reading it since I myself am an autistic adult, and it's rare to find stories about people like me that are told with empathy for our own community and not just the abled people around us. While the author didn't accomplish that perfectly, it was clear that they tried. I definitely have mixed feelings about the way Hikaru's life is displayed, but I'll attempt to describe them briefly.
The beginning of this book was very difficult for me to read, and a few times I considered quitting. I can understand the frustration and exhaustion of raising an autistic child, but many allistic people behave as if their autistic family members have no internal thoughts and emotions and that verbally or physically assaulting them to force different behaviors is acceptable and won't lead to trauma the same way it would for any allistic child. The parents in this story become more compassionate as time goes on, but Hikaru's mother still states later on that she doesn't think Hikaru can connect or fully remember the times she's hit or screamed at him because he'd reach out for her affection later. This thinking greatly worries me.
A child still wanting their parents' comfort after being treated poorly is not an excuse to avoid apologizing to them. It doesn't mean they aren't still hurting either. Affection is a necessity for children, and if they cannot outsource what they need to other family members or friends they'll often times still turn to a parent who has upset them, something Hikaru's parents didn't seem to truly understand. Due to harsh treatment in youth from both caretakers and peers, many autistic people grow to maturity with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and worsening self-harming behaviors. Creating narratives that only empathize with the caretakers who mistreat us and downplay the suffering we endure at their hands is callous and dangerous to our opportunities to develop into healthy adults.
Pieces of this story in which Hikaru's parents reject him and even go as far as to say that they couldn't feel love for him for years were incredibly distressing to me. I also wasn't alright with autism being described in multiple places as a disease, although that could be a translation error. Either way, allistic people desperately need to grasp how those notions effect us well outside of individual thoughts and passive aggressive comments on the street. Some autistic children have been legitimately tortured and experimented on in attempts to 'cure' them of their autism, and autistic people can be denied for organ transplants in my country based on a diagnosis of autism alone. Acceptance of autistic people and the accommodations we require isn't just nice, but crucial to our survival.
On a lighter note, I still consider this to be one of the more empathic portrayals of an autistic character. I do wish that more attempts were made to understand Hikaru's thought processes and emotions, but it was heartening to see the great strides his family, teachers and doctors made to support him and create a welcoming environment where he would feel safe. Some parents of autistic children fail to realize that creative and compassionate solutions are what will create a happier life for the entire family, so I enjoyed seeing the communication devices and toys the adults working with Hikaru created to make the world more accessible for him. I was also relieved that his parents didn't force him to hide his autistic traits, and instead decided to vocally advocate for him whenever possible.
If you're a reader who isn't autistic, I urge you to not end your education of the autistic community and the way we experience the world with this one story. Much of the information in this book is outdated and autism is now understood to be a broader spectrum, with a variety of symptoms that weren't discussed in this work. It's also important to remember that no two autistic people have the same traits and personality, so if you've met one autistic person, you've only met one autistic person. By only reading one story, you will never be able to understand them all.
The beginning of this book was very difficult for me to read, and a few times I considered quitting. I can understand the frustration and exhaustion of raising an autistic child, but many allistic people behave as if their autistic family members have no internal thoughts and emotions and that verbally or physically assaulting them to force different behaviors is acceptable and won't lead to trauma the same way it would for any allistic child. The parents in this story become more compassionate as time goes on, but Hikaru's mother still states later on that she doesn't think Hikaru can connect or fully remember the times she's hit or screamed at him because he'd reach out for her affection later. This thinking greatly worries me.
A child still wanting their parents' comfort after being treated poorly is not an excuse to avoid apologizing to them. It doesn't mean they aren't still hurting either. Affection is a necessity for children, and if they cannot outsource what they need to other family members or friends they'll often times still turn to a parent who has upset them, something Hikaru's parents didn't seem to truly understand. Due to harsh treatment in youth from both caretakers and peers, many autistic people grow to maturity with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and worsening self-harming behaviors. Creating narratives that only empathize with the caretakers who mistreat us and downplay the suffering we endure at their hands is callous and dangerous to our opportunities to develop into healthy adults.
Pieces of this story in which Hikaru's parents reject him and even go as far as to say that they couldn't feel love for him for years were incredibly distressing to me. I also wasn't alright with autism being described in multiple places as a disease, although that could be a translation error. Either way, allistic people desperately need to grasp how those notions effect us well outside of individual thoughts and passive aggressive comments on the street. Some autistic children have been legitimately tortured and experimented on in attempts to 'cure' them of their autism, and autistic people can be denied for organ transplants in my country based on a diagnosis of autism alone. Acceptance of autistic people and the accommodations we require isn't just nice, but crucial to our survival.
On a lighter note, I still consider this to be one of the more empathic portrayals of an autistic character. I do wish that more attempts were made to understand Hikaru's thought processes and emotions, but it was heartening to see the great strides his family, teachers and doctors made to support him and create a welcoming environment where he would feel safe. Some parents of autistic children fail to realize that creative and compassionate solutions are what will create a happier life for the entire family, so I enjoyed seeing the communication devices and toys the adults working with Hikaru created to make the world more accessible for him. I was also relieved that his parents didn't force him to hide his autistic traits, and instead decided to vocally advocate for him whenever possible.
If you're a reader who isn't autistic, I urge you to not end your education of the autistic community and the way we experience the world with this one story. Much of the information in this book is outdated and autism is now understood to be a broader spectrum, with a variety of symptoms that weren't discussed in this work. It's also important to remember that no two autistic people have the same traits and personality, so if you've met one autistic person, you've only met one autistic person. By only reading one story, you will never be able to understand them all.
April 9, 2012
A beautiful manga, a beautiful, sad, heart-wrenching, but with-a-glimmer-of-hope-story.
It is about a mother in Japan who gives birth to a boy named Hikaru. She is initially overjoyed that she has a bundle of joy to take care of, but soon he grows up and by toddler years she realizes there's something amiss. He screams and cries whenever she tries to hold him, he doesn't speak, he goes crazy and has a tantrum/crying fit whenever something really loud goes off (a bell, a slam of the door). She is branded as a terrible mother by her mother-in-law, and she is even told that Hikaru is deaf and will never be able to speak. Just as soon as she gives up hope that Hikaru will ever function right, she meets a doctor who diagnoses him with autism, then a practically unknown and obscure mental illness back in the 1990s, which I believe is the rough estimate of when this takes place, at least the last 90s.
There the door opens to counselors and other doctors who help her with the seemingly alien habits, mannerisms, and personality that Hikaru possesses, along with trying to steer her in the right direction when dealing with Hikaru, the best ways to nudge him in the right direction, and give her support and reassurance that 1) It is not her fault he's autistic 2) It will get better and 3) He will be able to function, just give it time and patience.
As a person with Asperger's Syndrome, what some call high-functioning and some call a 'mild form' of the mental disorder, my heart went out to both Hikaru and his mother. His mother because I understand that as a child I was pretty crazy. I hated change and would scream and cry when I didn't do what I thought was to be done i.e. 'I should've been the one to close the door! Why didn't I get to close the door?! ..' and 'What do you mean, preschool is over! I played my Candyland game for 2 hours, now it's time to go to preschool!'
And I obviously connected with Hikaru like we were one and the same most of the time because I understood how crazy the world was:
Examples:
I, even to this day at 16 years of age (as this is being typed), will shed a tear when I'm working on something and very focused and then suddenly, BAM! desk or chair gets tipped over and makes a loud noise. I am snapped out of my routine, the world is broken, if only for a second. The air is shattered by this noise, this noise that shouldn't have been made, and my senses -- my ears to be precise-- are overloaded by that sudden sound and I cry, but only for a minute before picking my self up again and resuming my work...
I also DESPISE change in routine. I need to be told ahead of time if something different will happen, like if we will be having an assembly at school instead of 7th and 8th period. I get annoyed and a little disgruntled but I used to scream and throw a tantrum because I couldn't cope with the fact that people were taking what I thought was fact and cutting and pasting something else into my daily routine. They changed it so easily, it unnerved me and made my head spin.
Anyways, enough about me. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about autism, especially about raising an autistic child. DON'T be discouraged, potential readers, by the fact that it is a Japanese comic, or manga , and is read right-to-left. It is worth the trouble learning how to read it, and it will charm you and make you root for this family as they struggle to make a life for Hikaru despite his mental setbacks.
It is about a mother in Japan who gives birth to a boy named Hikaru. She is initially overjoyed that she has a bundle of joy to take care of, but soon he grows up and by toddler years she realizes there's something amiss. He screams and cries whenever she tries to hold him, he doesn't speak, he goes crazy and has a tantrum/crying fit whenever something really loud goes off (a bell, a slam of the door). She is branded as a terrible mother by her mother-in-law, and she is even told that Hikaru is deaf and will never be able to speak. Just as soon as she gives up hope that Hikaru will ever function right, she meets a doctor who diagnoses him with autism, then a practically unknown and obscure mental illness back in the 1990s, which I believe is the rough estimate of when this takes place, at least the last 90s.
There the door opens to counselors and other doctors who help her with the seemingly alien habits, mannerisms, and personality that Hikaru possesses, along with trying to steer her in the right direction when dealing with Hikaru, the best ways to nudge him in the right direction, and give her support and reassurance that 1) It is not her fault he's autistic 2) It will get better and 3) He will be able to function, just give it time and patience.
As a person with Asperger's Syndrome, what some call high-functioning and some call a 'mild form' of the mental disorder, my heart went out to both Hikaru and his mother. His mother because I understand that as a child I was pretty crazy. I hated change and would scream and cry when I didn't do what I thought was to be done i.e. 'I should've been the one to close the door! Why didn't I get to close the door?! ..' and 'What do you mean, preschool is over! I played my Candyland game for 2 hours, now it's time to go to preschool!'
And I obviously connected with Hikaru like we were one and the same most of the time because I understood how crazy the world was:
Examples:
I, even to this day at 16 years of age (as this is being typed), will shed a tear when I'm working on something and very focused and then suddenly, BAM! desk or chair gets tipped over and makes a loud noise. I am snapped out of my routine, the world is broken, if only for a second. The air is shattered by this noise, this noise that shouldn't have been made, and my senses -- my ears to be precise-- are overloaded by that sudden sound and I cry, but only for a minute before picking my self up again and resuming my work...
I also DESPISE change in routine. I need to be told ahead of time if something different will happen, like if we will be having an assembly at school instead of 7th and 8th period. I get annoyed and a little disgruntled but I used to scream and throw a tantrum because I couldn't cope with the fact that people were taking what I thought was fact and cutting and pasting something else into my daily routine. They changed it so easily, it unnerved me and made my head spin.
Anyways, enough about me. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about autism, especially about raising an autistic child. DON'T be discouraged, potential readers, by the fact that it is a Japanese comic, or manga , and is read right-to-left. It is worth the trouble learning how to read it, and it will charm you and make you root for this family as they struggle to make a life for Hikaru despite his mental setbacks.
February 18, 2011
The graphic novel format works well as the reader is gradually immersed frame by frame in the realization and acceptance of Hikaru Azuma's autism. The diagnosis is resisted by the Azuma family, but acceptance brings help, relief, and a strength they did not know they had.
As they navigate social situations and the already competitve and difficult Japanese education system, the reader learns both about autism and how an autistic child can be accomodated and even integrated into the larger world. As one early childhood teacher remarks, she learned from watching Hikaru that all her students can benefit from some of the methods used to ease his discomfort with the chaos of life, such as explaining clearly what is going to happen before it occurs.
Especially when Hikaru is very young, his mother, Sachiko, is often the target of cutting remarks. All parents have experienced a similar judgemental attitude about their parenting skills when a child does not exhibit perfect behavior--and of course in the case of an autistic child there are so many potential problems to navigate. But in a larger context, all children have their difficult moments, parts of their interaction with the world that just don't fit into the increasingly narrow and often not age-appropriate sprectrum of what is expected of them. "With the Light" is another reminder that all would benfit from thoughtful and patient help with these difficulties--and that sometimes it's the adults who need to modify their behavior, not the child.
"Hikaru's life is like rays of light shining in and out during a storm...," says Sachiko. "Is every one the same? No they're not. But that's why the world is wonderful."
A good story, absorbing, well-told, with expressive illustrations and some moving and insightful text.
As they navigate social situations and the already competitve and difficult Japanese education system, the reader learns both about autism and how an autistic child can be accomodated and even integrated into the larger world. As one early childhood teacher remarks, she learned from watching Hikaru that all her students can benefit from some of the methods used to ease his discomfort with the chaos of life, such as explaining clearly what is going to happen before it occurs.
Especially when Hikaru is very young, his mother, Sachiko, is often the target of cutting remarks. All parents have experienced a similar judgemental attitude about their parenting skills when a child does not exhibit perfect behavior--and of course in the case of an autistic child there are so many potential problems to navigate. But in a larger context, all children have their difficult moments, parts of their interaction with the world that just don't fit into the increasingly narrow and often not age-appropriate sprectrum of what is expected of them. "With the Light" is another reminder that all would benfit from thoughtful and patient help with these difficulties--and that sometimes it's the adults who need to modify their behavior, not the child.
"Hikaru's life is like rays of light shining in and out during a storm...," says Sachiko. "Is every one the same? No they're not. But that's why the world is wonderful."
A good story, absorbing, well-told, with expressive illustrations and some moving and insightful text.
March 28, 2009
Though fictional, this is an enlightening look at what it is like to raise an autistic child, based on several true stories. Even though it is often frustrating, Hikaru's parents and everyone around him grow tremendously because of their contact with him and his unique way of interacting with the world. Even unpleasant characters are given their own stories and sympathetic moments rather than simply being cruel and unlikable. It is wonderful to see Hikaru grow too, and although there are more volumes in this series, this can stand alone as an excellent story.
The translation and layout are very well done and seem to be designed for those new to manga. The text is kept in its original right-to-left orientation, and a diagram is given to help with adjusting to that. Japanese honorifics are explained since these were (wisely) kept in the translation, signs are always translated, and notes are given explaining unfamiliar cultural references. There are also several pages of prose at the end of the book relating thoughts of actual parents of autistic children. Here the right page also comes before the left, so it may help to read these first to ease your brain into turning pages the other way.
Well-written, well-edited, and thoughtfully laid out. Very highly recommended.
The translation and layout are very well done and seem to be designed for those new to manga. The text is kept in its original right-to-left orientation, and a diagram is given to help with adjusting to that. Japanese honorifics are explained since these were (wisely) kept in the translation, signs are always translated, and notes are given explaining unfamiliar cultural references. There are also several pages of prose at the end of the book relating thoughts of actual parents of autistic children. Here the right page also comes before the left, so it may help to read these first to ease your brain into turning pages the other way.
Well-written, well-edited, and thoughtfully laid out. Very highly recommended.
July 6, 2011
This book was the first graphic novel I have ever found in the parenting section of the library. I thought it was such a cool idea that I picked it up without really looking at what it was about. With the Light is the story of a couple in Japan who has had their first child to find out he has autism. If I understand correctly this is volume 1 and out there somewhere is a volume 2.
This story was amazingly touching. I told my husband it was too hard to read because it made me want to cry. As a parent with a child with autism it hit too close to home. I was thoroughly impressed with the challenges they faced and how difficult it is to just raise a child in Japan. There are no disability laws like in the United States but the parents came up with creative ways to give their son the best they could. That didn't mean they were super parents - they made mistakes. They had thier problems but the best part is they never really stopped being a family (once they figured out family was worth fighting for).
It's a tough book to read, emotionally but well worth it. I look forward to finding the second volume and seeing how the boy grows up.
This story was amazingly touching. I told my husband it was too hard to read because it made me want to cry. As a parent with a child with autism it hit too close to home. I was thoroughly impressed with the challenges they faced and how difficult it is to just raise a child in Japan. There are no disability laws like in the United States but the parents came up with creative ways to give their son the best they could. That didn't mean they were super parents - they made mistakes. They had thier problems but the best part is they never really stopped being a family (once they figured out family was worth fighting for).
It's a tough book to read, emotionally but well worth it. I look forward to finding the second volume and seeing how the boy grows up.
November 23, 2010
The book: Wow! Get it Read it! wow!
Manga: This is my first Manga and the big eye thing really creeped me out. These youtube clips further creeped me out:
http://loungemonkey.blogspot.com/2008...
Manga: This is my first Manga and the big eye thing really creeped me out. These youtube clips further creeped me out:
http://loungemonkey.blogspot.com/2008...
August 14, 2017
I found this to be rather remarkable since I was diagnosed with Asperger's as a child, but never considered how other cultures handled people dealing with this. The father of the child in the beginning was quite cold and successful and only cared about good public appearances with his personal and business life. The only way he was able to turn around was by collapsing from working too much and not taking care of himself to realize how much he lost with his wife and son. After he turns a new leaf, he's rather active with his son and takes the time to help cope with his autism along with his wife. I think the story was published initially in the early 2000s and it was smart of the author to point out at the time there was still more research to be done on the spectrum disorder.
There were a few words such as "impaired" or "illness" I didn't tend to agree on associating with autism, but I was happy that the parents and teachers were willing to make an effort for others to understand and cope with it. The story more so shows how "normal" people react to differences and makes us more aware about a human being's flawed environment. Autism can bring up concerns with how others behave or treat others and should be a learning tool for people to learn from their cruel mistakes and becoming more kind regardless of their culture. I was glad that someone in Japan wrote these volumes.
I just hope in the future volumes I read they'll bring up how lower-income families cope with members dealing with autism. In this case, the kid is lucky to come from a financially stable background and support team. That isn't always the case with other children or adults.
There were a few words such as "impaired" or "illness" I didn't tend to agree on associating with autism, but I was happy that the parents and teachers were willing to make an effort for others to understand and cope with it. The story more so shows how "normal" people react to differences and makes us more aware about a human being's flawed environment. Autism can bring up concerns with how others behave or treat others and should be a learning tool for people to learn from their cruel mistakes and becoming more kind regardless of their culture. I was glad that someone in Japan wrote these volumes.
I just hope in the future volumes I read they'll bring up how lower-income families cope with members dealing with autism. In this case, the kid is lucky to come from a financially stable background and support team. That isn't always the case with other children or adults.
May 28, 2014
Coming to this book as a disability rights activist, I have mixed feelings about some of the details, but overall I really appreciated it. For a far more detailed review, keep readng.
The downsides:
* Because it is fiction, though based on true stories, it's a little too neat at times; everything falls into place a little too prettily for my taste.
* Additionally, some of the language is going to be frustrating for neurodiversity rights folks-- autism is referred to, at times, as an "affliction" and a "disease," although I can't tell from the context whether the fault is in the original Japanese or the translation. Person-first and identity-first language are used interchangeably.
* In this first volume, in particular, the story is very much about the experiences of Hikaru's mother Sachiko, and autistic people may find it emotionally difficult or triggering to read about her responses to her infant son before she begins to understand and accept autism.
Positives:
* Ultimately, this is a touching story in which love triumphs. Once Hikaru's family begins to understand the way in which he experiences and interacts with the world, they make great efforts to accommodate his learning needs, communication style, and sensory sensitivities. Despite misunderstandings and judgments from strangers, Hikaru ends up with many people in his corner, becoming loved and protected by peers, teachers, therapists, and other members of the community. I only wish more autistic children had such a supportive and understanding environment!!
* One thing I love is the prevalence of sound-effects (and other sensory details, like glinting light) being indicated throughout the book, drawing the reader's attention to what Hikaru notices. This helps the reader to understand how sensory input can be distracting and even dominate an autistic person's experiences.
* Hikaru is portrayed as immensely cute, which seems to be common for main characters in manga (Japanese graphic novels). Because of this, the reader cannot help seeing him as very adorable, and feels great affection for him even at his most trying moments-- a nice change from some of the negative portrayals I have seen of autistic children.
* Throughout the book, helpful tips are given for friends and family of autistic children.
- For children who tend to run away, make iron-on labels with emergency contact information and stick them on the outside back of the child's shirts. Or, have them wear an ID necklace or bracelet. You can also ask local shops and other establishments to put up signs telling them how to best communicate with your child and who to contact if you find them wandering.
- If they struggle with language, use a picture schedule to help them plan a day.
- Countdown devices like a quarter-hour watch (eg: http://www.toby-churchill.com/assets/...) provide a visual way to prepare for the end of one activity or wait for another to start.
- To keep everyone who spends time with your child on the same page, keep a "support book" that, in addition to basics like contact info and medical needs, lists your childs most critical likes/dislikes, nicknames and non-obvious language your family uses, etc. This is especially helpful where someone needs to know about your child unexpectedly-- emergency childcare, for example. Parents, teachers, and others can also use the book as a way to communicate with one another about what happened during the day, etc..
* The cultural notes in volume 1 are fairly extensive and very helpful, but I would love to see even more. As an American reader, I am intrigued to see how certain cultural differences provide both advantages and disadvantages for an autistic child.
- On the one hand, Japan has generally stricter behavioral codes than America, making it harder for someone with atypical behavior to fit in without censure.
- On the other hand, the culture expects parents (or at least mothers) to put in an amazing amount of work and self-sacrifice on behalf of their children (Sachiko's mother-in-law even accuses her of causing Hikaru's autism by letting him eat packaged food as an infant, instead of making everything for him from scratch!!), so once Sachiko understands Hikaru's needs, she really bends over backwards to meet them.
- And, although this doesn't play a large part until later volumes, the cultural importance of civic duty and focus on "service" makes it more believable for me that autistic adults could find relatively fullfilling lives doing somewhat more menial work that is very devalued in America.
* Something I noticed even more during the following volumes is that everyone, not just Hikaru, is ultimately portrayed in a sympathetic light. Characters who at first come across as hateful are then shown to have struggles of their own that explain their hostility, and often become better people over the course of the story. The idea resonates that, not just for autistic people but for everyone, you can sympathize with and accept someone far better if you understand them and what they are going through. Despite the incredible competitiveness of Japanese culture, there is also a strong drive towards cooperation and societal harmony that really impresses me at times.
Lastly, a quote from one of the short "true story" written segments at the back of each volume, authored by parents of autistic children:
"Raising Dada taught me that autism is not a disability you're supposed to conquer but rather a disability you must understand and live with cleverly" (Reiko Maruoka, p 512) How I wish more parents understood this!
The downsides:
* Because it is fiction, though based on true stories, it's a little too neat at times; everything falls into place a little too prettily for my taste.
* Additionally, some of the language is going to be frustrating for neurodiversity rights folks-- autism is referred to, at times, as an "affliction" and a "disease," although I can't tell from the context whether the fault is in the original Japanese or the translation. Person-first and identity-first language are used interchangeably.
* In this first volume, in particular, the story is very much about the experiences of Hikaru's mother Sachiko, and autistic people may find it emotionally difficult or triggering to read about her responses to her infant son before she begins to understand and accept autism.
Positives:
* Ultimately, this is a touching story in which love triumphs. Once Hikaru's family begins to understand the way in which he experiences and interacts with the world, they make great efforts to accommodate his learning needs, communication style, and sensory sensitivities. Despite misunderstandings and judgments from strangers, Hikaru ends up with many people in his corner, becoming loved and protected by peers, teachers, therapists, and other members of the community. I only wish more autistic children had such a supportive and understanding environment!!
* One thing I love is the prevalence of sound-effects (and other sensory details, like glinting light) being indicated throughout the book, drawing the reader's attention to what Hikaru notices. This helps the reader to understand how sensory input can be distracting and even dominate an autistic person's experiences.
* Hikaru is portrayed as immensely cute, which seems to be common for main characters in manga (Japanese graphic novels). Because of this, the reader cannot help seeing him as very adorable, and feels great affection for him even at his most trying moments-- a nice change from some of the negative portrayals I have seen of autistic children.
* Throughout the book, helpful tips are given for friends and family of autistic children.
- For children who tend to run away, make iron-on labels with emergency contact information and stick them on the outside back of the child's shirts. Or, have them wear an ID necklace or bracelet. You can also ask local shops and other establishments to put up signs telling them how to best communicate with your child and who to contact if you find them wandering.
- If they struggle with language, use a picture schedule to help them plan a day.
- Countdown devices like a quarter-hour watch (eg: http://www.toby-churchill.com/assets/...) provide a visual way to prepare for the end of one activity or wait for another to start.
- To keep everyone who spends time with your child on the same page, keep a "support book" that, in addition to basics like contact info and medical needs, lists your childs most critical likes/dislikes, nicknames and non-obvious language your family uses, etc. This is especially helpful where someone needs to know about your child unexpectedly-- emergency childcare, for example. Parents, teachers, and others can also use the book as a way to communicate with one another about what happened during the day, etc..
* The cultural notes in volume 1 are fairly extensive and very helpful, but I would love to see even more. As an American reader, I am intrigued to see how certain cultural differences provide both advantages and disadvantages for an autistic child.
- On the one hand, Japan has generally stricter behavioral codes than America, making it harder for someone with atypical behavior to fit in without censure.
- On the other hand, the culture expects parents (or at least mothers) to put in an amazing amount of work and self-sacrifice on behalf of their children (Sachiko's mother-in-law even accuses her of causing Hikaru's autism by letting him eat packaged food as an infant, instead of making everything for him from scratch!!), so once Sachiko understands Hikaru's needs, she really bends over backwards to meet them.
- And, although this doesn't play a large part until later volumes, the cultural importance of civic duty and focus on "service" makes it more believable for me that autistic adults could find relatively fullfilling lives doing somewhat more menial work that is very devalued in America.
* Something I noticed even more during the following volumes is that everyone, not just Hikaru, is ultimately portrayed in a sympathetic light. Characters who at first come across as hateful are then shown to have struggles of their own that explain their hostility, and often become better people over the course of the story. The idea resonates that, not just for autistic people but for everyone, you can sympathize with and accept someone far better if you understand them and what they are going through. Despite the incredible competitiveness of Japanese culture, there is also a strong drive towards cooperation and societal harmony that really impresses me at times.
Lastly, a quote from one of the short "true story" written segments at the back of each volume, authored by parents of autistic children:
"Raising Dada taught me that autism is not a disability you're supposed to conquer but rather a disability you must understand and live with cleverly" (Reiko Maruoka, p 512) How I wish more parents understood this!
December 16, 2018
It is rare to find a manga which discusses such an important issue. It is really educative and shows the life of autistic children in an easy way. The plot is kind of plain, although it gets really exciting sometimes.
May 27, 2020
This is a lot like what we went through with my brother, though he is not nearly as autistic as Hikaru. My brother has high functioning Asperger's syndrome.
Read
December 28, 2020I have no idea how I came upon a manga translated in 2008 and originally published circa 2000 - I'm guessing either Amazon or Goodreads offered it up on the grounds that I read a lot of Japanese media and I've been reading more about autism as well. I have an autistic four-year-old; after a couple of years of finding that most books for parents of kids with autism were useless, frustrating, or insulting ("Give yourself time to grieve," they'd begin. Hell no, getting a diagnosis was the biggest relief of my life as a parent!) I've started reading more books about autism rather than about parenting, and finding them far more helpful and informative.
And then, of course, there's this.
This first volume begins with the birth of Hikaru, the autistic child of the title, and follows the family through the early elementary years. The central character is Sachiko, Hikaru's mother, and the plot centers on her experiences. I want to call said plot "shoujo-y" - the pattern of "heroine struggles, heroine gets support and begins to overcome her struggles, heroine's opponents come to understand her and become her allies for the next struggle" is very familiar to me from shoujo - but the truth is this was probably a josei publication.
As a baby, Hikaru hates to be held, sleeps poorly and cries non-stop. His father, Masato, is a demanding, workaholic perfectionist, and Sachiko struggles with trying to keep him happy, calm Hikaru so Masato can sleep, and somehow keep it together herself; at one point her mother-in-law lets herself into their apartment and berates her for napping while Hikaru watches TV, and for using disposable diapers(!) and convenience foods, unlike her other daughter-in-law, who's raising a perfect daughter. (Sachiko changes the locks, to my delight.)
This is just the first arc. It's a pretty good example of what you can expect from the book. Autistic readers and neurodiversity advocates will probably find this title very frustrating; this is a twenty-year-old publication, translated from one language and culture to another twelve years ago, and who knows how well-aware the translator was of preferred and accepted terminology in either culture at that time. I know the idea/trope of "marriage strained to the breaking point by raising an autistic child" is deeply loathed, as is "it's so tough raising an autistic kid."
But at the same time, it can be very tough raising an autistic kid, through no fault of the child's own; it's tough trying to keep your child close to you and safe from traffic when all she wants is to run away from you as fast as she can, it's tough dealing with social judgment over things beyond your control or your child's, and it's tough making in-laws, acquaintances, neighbors, medical personnel, random people in the supermarket, etc. understand. It's tough chasing around a kid who never, ever stops moving. It's tough fighting the school district, or social services, or your insurance, to get your kid what she needs and not what they say she needs.
I felt like the book conveyed this well; as soon as Sachiko, and later Masato, understand and accept what's right in front of their eyes, they commit whole-heartedly to accepting Hikaru as he is and raising him to have the best life they can give him. They're on each other's side, and his, but they still have struggles with the school system, other parents who think special ed is unearned special treatment, and just day-to-day life. Hikaru likes to elope, which is (I believe) therapy-speak for an autistic kid running off without warning and often without regard to safety; this becomes a terrifying problem for Sachiko at least twice in the volume, when she's pregnant with her second child and has a harder time keeping up with Hikaru.
I have no idea how to give this book a star rating. As mentioned, the plot follows a familiar pattern, even if the specifics are things like "your mother-in-law thinks you're a bad mother, a bad wife, and probably just a bad person," or "finding the right special ed program for your child" rather than shoujo-typical things like "now that I'm betrothed to the crown prince all the ladies at court are out to get me!" But because those are the plot specifics, I found the whole thing very relatable. Because of that (qualified; more on that in a bit) identification with Sachiko, it made some of the tidiness of the narrative work better for me than it otherwise might. I wanted her and Hikaru to get the support they needed and so it was satisfying, rather than "oh, how convenient," when things worked out for them.
I mentioned that I couldn't wholly identify with Sachiko; some of it is that she's a somewhat typical, self-effacing heroine, who doesn't ask her parents for support or vent to them about her witchy mother-in-law or her disintegrating marriage. Some of it is that, early on, she hits her son sometimes. She feels guilty and ashamed about it, and it's born of her frustration, isolation and lack of understanding; this isn't the first time that I've noticed Japanese media treating some degree of abuse as something that can be understood, overcome, and forgiven, if the abuser has their reasons and they feel remorse. It's a trope that's still very alien to me, and that I've lost patience for after having my daughter. I've been incredibly frustrated with her at times but I've never, ever felt the desire to hit her.
Despite that, Sachiko is a largely sympathetic character; all the characters are eventually revealed to be sympathetic to some extent, with the exception of the abusive father of one of Hikaru's elementary-school classmates. The family is surrounded by support to a remarkable degree (and like I said, to me, identifying and hoping for the same, it's heartwarming; to someone else it might be implausible or sappy) - support groups and helpful social services, caring, dedicated teachers, a readily-available respite service, some sweet Filipina neighbors who intercept Hikaru several times when he wanders off - to counter the cameo appearances by judgmental passers-by.
The services they receive from "the welfare agency," as they refer to it (and that's not a knock on the translation; in the US families talk about "the regional center" the same way) are interesting to me. The focus in the US is very much on "early intervention," getting kids into speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental therapy... whereas Hikaru never really seems to be getting any "therapy" at all. He probably is, off-page - the family develops a flashcard system for communication with Hikaru, which is probably a speech and language pathologist's doing - but in many ways it seems like the emphasis is on supporting the family and figuring out what accommodations Hikaru needs rather than on how to reshape Hikaru so he can live in the world. It's a little surprising as an approach in supposedly-so-conformist Japan.
(There are plenty of other cultural differences, too; everyone acts as though Hikaru being in diapers at two and a half is shocking, whereas there are neurotypical three-year-olds still in diapers at my daughter's school and no one is concerned. Another thing I found fascinating.)
I personally loved this, found it relatable in even tiny details, and as a result I view its writing with a lot of charity. Other readers might hate every word of it, either as a work of fiction or as portrayal of autism; my reaction is purely personal.
And then, of course, there's this.
This first volume begins with the birth of Hikaru, the autistic child of the title, and follows the family through the early elementary years. The central character is Sachiko, Hikaru's mother, and the plot centers on her experiences. I want to call said plot "shoujo-y" - the pattern of "heroine struggles, heroine gets support and begins to overcome her struggles, heroine's opponents come to understand her and become her allies for the next struggle" is very familiar to me from shoujo - but the truth is this was probably a josei publication.
As a baby, Hikaru hates to be held, sleeps poorly and cries non-stop. His father, Masato, is a demanding, workaholic perfectionist, and Sachiko struggles with trying to keep him happy, calm Hikaru so Masato can sleep, and somehow keep it together herself; at one point her mother-in-law lets herself into their apartment and berates her for napping while Hikaru watches TV, and for using disposable diapers(!) and convenience foods, unlike her other daughter-in-law, who's raising a perfect daughter. (Sachiko changes the locks, to my delight.)
This is just the first arc. It's a pretty good example of what you can expect from the book. Autistic readers and neurodiversity advocates will probably find this title very frustrating; this is a twenty-year-old publication, translated from one language and culture to another twelve years ago, and who knows how well-aware the translator was of preferred and accepted terminology in either culture at that time. I know the idea/trope of "marriage strained to the breaking point by raising an autistic child" is deeply loathed, as is "it's so tough raising an autistic kid."
But at the same time, it can be very tough raising an autistic kid, through no fault of the child's own; it's tough trying to keep your child close to you and safe from traffic when all she wants is to run away from you as fast as she can, it's tough dealing with social judgment over things beyond your control or your child's, and it's tough making in-laws, acquaintances, neighbors, medical personnel, random people in the supermarket, etc. understand. It's tough chasing around a kid who never, ever stops moving. It's tough fighting the school district, or social services, or your insurance, to get your kid what she needs and not what they say she needs.
I felt like the book conveyed this well; as soon as Sachiko, and later Masato, understand and accept what's right in front of their eyes, they commit whole-heartedly to accepting Hikaru as he is and raising him to have the best life they can give him. They're on each other's side, and his, but they still have struggles with the school system, other parents who think special ed is unearned special treatment, and just day-to-day life. Hikaru likes to elope, which is (I believe) therapy-speak for an autistic kid running off without warning and often without regard to safety; this becomes a terrifying problem for Sachiko at least twice in the volume, when she's pregnant with her second child and has a harder time keeping up with Hikaru.
I have no idea how to give this book a star rating. As mentioned, the plot follows a familiar pattern, even if the specifics are things like "your mother-in-law thinks you're a bad mother, a bad wife, and probably just a bad person," or "finding the right special ed program for your child" rather than shoujo-typical things like "now that I'm betrothed to the crown prince all the ladies at court are out to get me!" But because those are the plot specifics, I found the whole thing very relatable. Because of that (qualified; more on that in a bit) identification with Sachiko, it made some of the tidiness of the narrative work better for me than it otherwise might. I wanted her and Hikaru to get the support they needed and so it was satisfying, rather than "oh, how convenient," when things worked out for them.
I mentioned that I couldn't wholly identify with Sachiko; some of it is that she's a somewhat typical, self-effacing heroine, who doesn't ask her parents for support or vent to them about her witchy mother-in-law or her disintegrating marriage. Some of it is that, early on, she hits her son sometimes. She feels guilty and ashamed about it, and it's born of her frustration, isolation and lack of understanding; this isn't the first time that I've noticed Japanese media treating some degree of abuse as something that can be understood, overcome, and forgiven, if the abuser has their reasons and they feel remorse. It's a trope that's still very alien to me, and that I've lost patience for after having my daughter. I've been incredibly frustrated with her at times but I've never, ever felt the desire to hit her.
Despite that, Sachiko is a largely sympathetic character; all the characters are eventually revealed to be sympathetic to some extent, with the exception of the abusive father of one of Hikaru's elementary-school classmates. The family is surrounded by support to a remarkable degree (and like I said, to me, identifying and hoping for the same, it's heartwarming; to someone else it might be implausible or sappy) - support groups and helpful social services, caring, dedicated teachers, a readily-available respite service, some sweet Filipina neighbors who intercept Hikaru several times when he wanders off - to counter the cameo appearances by judgmental passers-by.
The services they receive from "the welfare agency," as they refer to it (and that's not a knock on the translation; in the US families talk about "the regional center" the same way) are interesting to me. The focus in the US is very much on "early intervention," getting kids into speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental therapy... whereas Hikaru never really seems to be getting any "therapy" at all. He probably is, off-page - the family develops a flashcard system for communication with Hikaru, which is probably a speech and language pathologist's doing - but in many ways it seems like the emphasis is on supporting the family and figuring out what accommodations Hikaru needs rather than on how to reshape Hikaru so he can live in the world. It's a little surprising as an approach in supposedly-so-conformist Japan.
(There are plenty of other cultural differences, too; everyone acts as though Hikaru being in diapers at two and a half is shocking, whereas there are neurotypical three-year-olds still in diapers at my daughter's school and no one is concerned. Another thing I found fascinating.)
I personally loved this, found it relatable in even tiny details, and as a result I view its writing with a lot of charity. Other readers might hate every word of it, either as a work of fiction or as portrayal of autism; my reaction is purely personal.
September 14, 2012
This is a Japanese graphic novel (Manga or "Mahn-ja" if you, like me, have always wondered exactly how you should say it). This was set out with other books on autism, in preparation for Temple Grandin's visit next week at the library. I came across it and, having not read Manga for a while and pleased to find it on such a unique subject, snagged it.
There's a heartbreaking honesty to this and it's very well researched. The story is inspired by real people and their experiences with their own autistic children. Some of those stories are added into the margins and chapter breaks, and some are at the end of the book. She brings up issues that have been related to her by parents... locks on doors, the judgment of poor Mothering skills, children getting lost, doctors misunderstanding the child's behavior, etc.
It is really well done and I liked it enough I tore through most of it in one sitting, then stayed up late to finish and made sure I had the second book handy.
I always think of Autism in context of an American setting. The confusion and difficulty Japanese parents might meet in trying to diagnose and raise an autistic child is clearly laid out here.
One reviewer points out here that these problems are universal. I find myself trying to imagine this same scenario in China, Africa, India... in doing so, I think an interesting companion to this first book in the series might be the movie "Babies" - not because it covers the issue of raising a disabled child, but because it covers the concept of parenthood across a few different cultures and provides food for thought:what would those parents encounter if raising an autistic child?
With the Ligh educates and lends some insight into how an autistic child's mind works. I want a bit more for my own interest's sake, but there are 8 or 9 books in the series, so I'm sure there will be plenty more. In one case, the child sees someone leaning in to talk to him and feels like they are looming over him like giants. In another, he sees the spikes on an aloe plant and to him, they are gigantic. The author explains that autistic children cannot "tune out" certain sounds and "zero in" on others, but that they hear them all as a cacophony. She further explains that autistic children experience the senses differently than others.
I like Manga and like more adult oriented issues. This combines both a good story with education on a topic I'm interested in.
There's a heartbreaking honesty to this and it's very well researched. The story is inspired by real people and their experiences with their own autistic children. Some of those stories are added into the margins and chapter breaks, and some are at the end of the book. She brings up issues that have been related to her by parents... locks on doors, the judgment of poor Mothering skills, children getting lost, doctors misunderstanding the child's behavior, etc.
It is really well done and I liked it enough I tore through most of it in one sitting, then stayed up late to finish and made sure I had the second book handy.
I always think of Autism in context of an American setting. The confusion and difficulty Japanese parents might meet in trying to diagnose and raise an autistic child is clearly laid out here.
One reviewer points out here that these problems are universal. I find myself trying to imagine this same scenario in China, Africa, India... in doing so, I think an interesting companion to this first book in the series might be the movie "Babies" - not because it covers the issue of raising a disabled child, but because it covers the concept of parenthood across a few different cultures and provides food for thought:what would those parents encounter if raising an autistic child?
With the Ligh educates and lends some insight into how an autistic child's mind works. I want a bit more for my own interest's sake, but there are 8 or 9 books in the series, so I'm sure there will be plenty more. In one case, the child sees someone leaning in to talk to him and feels like they are looming over him like giants. In another, he sees the spikes on an aloe plant and to him, they are gigantic. The author explains that autistic children cannot "tune out" certain sounds and "zero in" on others, but that they hear them all as a cacophony. She further explains that autistic children experience the senses differently than others.
I like Manga and like more adult oriented issues. This combines both a good story with education on a topic I'm interested in.
April 23, 2017
I read this as an autistic person curious to see how autism is portrayed by others. I was especially interested in reading this to learn more about how autism and autistic people are regarded in Japan.
Though this book is some 16 years old and many things have likely changed (and improved), autism itself is constant. The author's portrayal of Hikaru and his family is heartfelt, resonant, and clearly crafted with a lot of research and care. Sachiko's dedication to Hikaru and her family, the other characters challenges to overcome their biases or their own troubles... this book is a rich and moving story in its own right, worthy of reading as a well-written and nicely drawn slice-of-life. As an adult autistic person, though my situation is very different from Hikaru's, I could still relate to him and to his parents' struggles. It pulled at my heart to see all these characters learning to love him, fighting for his acceptance and others', seeing Sachiko constantly beaten down for having a "defective" child, for things beyond her control. I really felt for her and it gave me a much greater appreciation for the families and supporters of autistic children. This book does an excellent job of focusing on the struggles that *both* Hikaru, as an autistic kid, and his family, raising him in a society that wasn't built for him, face every day. I really appreciate that. It means a lot to me, too, to see people fighting for him, even in fiction, because it was also drawn from reality.
This book is also interspersed with tips and references for families; some of them may not be so relevant now (using a casette tape case to cover light switches...) but they are all reviewed or just practical tips from the families the author worked with to write the book. I hope people still find them useful and will continue to. I will recommend this book for sure when opportunities arise.
Though this book is some 16 years old and many things have likely changed (and improved), autism itself is constant. The author's portrayal of Hikaru and his family is heartfelt, resonant, and clearly crafted with a lot of research and care. Sachiko's dedication to Hikaru and her family, the other characters challenges to overcome their biases or their own troubles... this book is a rich and moving story in its own right, worthy of reading as a well-written and nicely drawn slice-of-life. As an adult autistic person, though my situation is very different from Hikaru's, I could still relate to him and to his parents' struggles. It pulled at my heart to see all these characters learning to love him, fighting for his acceptance and others', seeing Sachiko constantly beaten down for having a "defective" child, for things beyond her control. I really felt for her and it gave me a much greater appreciation for the families and supporters of autistic children. This book does an excellent job of focusing on the struggles that *both* Hikaru, as an autistic kid, and his family, raising him in a society that wasn't built for him, face every day. I really appreciate that. It means a lot to me, too, to see people fighting for him, even in fiction, because it was also drawn from reality.
This book is also interspersed with tips and references for families; some of them may not be so relevant now (using a casette tape case to cover light switches...) but they are all reviewed or just practical tips from the families the author worked with to write the book. I hope people still find them useful and will continue to. I will recommend this book for sure when opportunities arise.
January 8, 2009
This is proof that I read something other than science fiction and fantasy. With the Light is the story of Sachiko, a newlywed who has her first son, Hikaru. Hikaru is a highly-strung baby and hates to be held and Sachiko can't figure out what's wrong with him until his pediatrician diagnoses him with autism.
The first volume covers Hikaru's life from birth to midway through elementary school. A lot of it resonates with me because my little brother is high-functioning autism, and I ended up giving my copy to my mother for Christmas, even though watching her try to figure out how to read it was interesting. It struck me as really well done -- several times I wanted to reach into the book and give Sachiko a hug and start telling her about my brother, who is autistic and gearing up to graduate high school. Or introduce her to my mother. It felt real, and compelling, and kept my interest, and I say that as someone who knows something about autism.
I also gave this book to my mother, who, as I mentioned, is the parent of an autistic child. She's not normally a comic fan, and wished the book was in prose, but she enjoyed what she read of it. For people who don't normally read Japanese comics, I'd recommend this as well, though it may take you a bit to get used to the conventions.
The first volume covers Hikaru's life from birth to midway through elementary school. A lot of it resonates with me because my little brother is high-functioning autism, and I ended up giving my copy to my mother for Christmas, even though watching her try to figure out how to read it was interesting. It struck me as really well done -- several times I wanted to reach into the book and give Sachiko a hug and start telling her about my brother, who is autistic and gearing up to graduate high school. Or introduce her to my mother. It felt real, and compelling, and kept my interest, and I say that as someone who knows something about autism.
I also gave this book to my mother, who, as I mentioned, is the parent of an autistic child. She's not normally a comic fan, and wished the book was in prose, but she enjoyed what she read of it. For people who don't normally read Japanese comics, I'd recommend this as well, though it may take you a bit to get used to the conventions.
November 4, 2009
Though fictional, this is an enlightening look at what it is like to raise an autistic child, based on several true stories. Even though it is often frustrating, Hikaru's parents and everyone around him grow tremendously because of their contact with him and his unique way of interacting with the world. Even unpleasant characters are given their own stories and sympathetic moments rather than simply being cruel and unlikable. It is wonderful to see Hikaru grow too, and although there are more volumes in this series, this can stand alone as an excellent story.
The translation and layout are very well done and seem to be designed for those new to manga. The text is kept in its original right-to-left orientation, and a diagram is given to help with adjusting to that. Japanese honorifics are explained since these were (wisely) kept in the translation, signs are always translated, and notes are given explaining unfamiliar cultural references. There are also several pages of prose at the end of the book relating thoughts of actual parents of autistic children. Here the right page also comes before the left, so it may help to read these first to ease your brain into turning pages the other way.
Well-written, well-edited, and thoughtfully laid out. Very highly recommended.
The translation and layout are very well done and seem to be designed for those new to manga. The text is kept in its original right-to-left orientation, and a diagram is given to help with adjusting to that. Japanese honorifics are explained since these were (wisely) kept in the translation, signs are always translated, and notes are given explaining unfamiliar cultural references. There are also several pages of prose at the end of the book relating thoughts of actual parents of autistic children. Here the right page also comes before the left, so it may help to read these first to ease your brain into turning pages the other way.
Well-written, well-edited, and thoughtfully laid out. Very highly recommended.
February 23, 2008
Based on the manga-ka's interviews with families and research on autism, this is the story of a young couple whose little boy is diagnosed as having autism. I hoped and worried and learned along with Sachiko and her husband and those they know, through all the frustrations and misunderstandings and criticisms and gifts joys and triumphs.
The tone is a bit sentimental but no more (in the opinion of this childless prospective mom anyway) than should be from a mom's POV. The manga series was created around 2000 so the art's a bit old-fashioned (we're talking the traditional huge eyes and soft style of women's manga) and the medical and statistical bits are somewhat behind but oh, it's good for truly learning what living with an child with autism is like and simply for a good story.
Having people close to me who have Asperger's syndrome (a condition in the spectrum of autism) I feel particularly strongly about this manga. I'm glad that, among other things, the story points out the differences in sensitivities and behaviors of people with one or another form of autism, and the talents they can have, such as little Hikaru's excellent drawings and his knowledge about trains.
The tone is a bit sentimental but no more (in the opinion of this childless prospective mom anyway) than should be from a mom's POV. The manga series was created around 2000 so the art's a bit old-fashioned (we're talking the traditional huge eyes and soft style of women's manga) and the medical and statistical bits are somewhat behind but oh, it's good for truly learning what living with an child with autism is like and simply for a good story.
Having people close to me who have Asperger's syndrome (a condition in the spectrum of autism) I feel particularly strongly about this manga. I'm glad that, among other things, the story points out the differences in sensitivities and behaviors of people with one or another form of autism, and the talents they can have, such as little Hikaru's excellent drawings and his knowledge about trains.
July 14, 2010
This is an amazing story of a woman's search for understanding and compassion for her son who is autistic. The story itself is very engaging, and I found myself very emotionally invested -- I cried for Sachiko's heartbreaks and I cried happy tears for the good days, too. I appreciate that the story gives some useful information without getting too into the medical aspects, making it accessible for anyone. I appreciate as well the emphasis that everyone with ASD is unique and have different struggles. I consider With the Light... Volume 1 to be a great introduction to those unfamiliar with ASD to glean what it may be like for children with the disorder and their families/caretakers.
This was my first experience with manga, and it was easy to get used to. I found it to be a very enjoyable experience, only one that went by too fast! I cannot wait to read the next volume and continue her family's story.
This was my first experience with manga, and it was easy to get used to. I found it to be a very enjoyable experience, only one that went by too fast! I cannot wait to read the next volume and continue her family's story.
November 24, 2010
Such an aggressive, massive work. So much research. It truly is impressive.
I related with the plight of the mother not because I have an autistic child, but because Tobesan created such believable characters struggling with a real issue of our day: disabled children. Invisible disabilities affect millions of humans, yet even in this day and age their struggle is a matter of inconvenience for others. Tobesan captured this struggle in a moving yet informative way. Even if you do nor have an autistic loved one, I feel this book is inspirational, though I must admit I may be biased because my daughter has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
I thank my friend, Nihon Joe, for lending this book to me, though I took over a year to finally pick it up and read it.
I related with the plight of the mother not because I have an autistic child, but because Tobesan created such believable characters struggling with a real issue of our day: disabled children. Invisible disabilities affect millions of humans, yet even in this day and age their struggle is a matter of inconvenience for others. Tobesan captured this struggle in a moving yet informative way. Even if you do nor have an autistic loved one, I feel this book is inspirational, though I must admit I may be biased because my daughter has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
I thank my friend, Nihon Joe, for lending this book to me, though I took over a year to finally pick it up and read it.
October 12, 2020
This was my first japanese manga-style book and, despite the format being backwards from what I am used to, it was very enjoyable and easy-to read. Reading this from the perspective of Hikaru's mother was very interesting to me, I just wish the story focused a little bit more on what Hikaru is going through as an autistic child. I do realize that is a tall order. The story is told mostly through the eyes of a mother and her struggles parenting Hikaru in a world that often doesn't accept people with disability, in this case, autism.
January 3, 2011
This graphic novel about raising an autistic child, reads like a memoir, for it is from the mother Sachiko’s POV. Her son is Hikaru and she learns about autism and her son as she raises him. It’s also about her husband, their marriage and how they create a community to raise their son. This takes Hikaru up to third grade, I would have easily read another 500 or 1500 pages to find out more about Hikaru’s life. This is
delightful
.
November 18, 2010
This series is absolutely terrific. I was a little worried at first because of the subject, but over the last couple years it's become one of my favorite series. It's very realistic tale, and I know this from personal experience. A good friend of mine has an autistic brother and I've watched him grow over the years. It's a definite read, whether you're a manga fan or not.
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