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Illuminated
- Autism & All the Things I’ve Left Unsaid
- Narrated by: Melanie Sykes
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
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Illuminated
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Summary
Melanie Sykes has been a face on our screens, a voice on our radios for nearly thirty years. As a presenter and broadcaster people turned to her for her humour, her honesty and insight. But between all the interviews and chat shows, is a life unseen, a story unsaid.
Her journey – from up north to down south, from Manchester to LA and via London, Paris and India, and through the eye of the storm of celebrity culture is a rollercoaster ride. Sex, drugs and rock and roll, certainly, but also brass bands and ice cream vans, broken hearts and healing adventures – a search not for fame but for freedom.
Her autism diagnosis in midlife has supercharged that journey – and means this isn’t a story just of breakdown, but of breakthrough. Funny, furious and gloriously frank, this is a book that lifts the lid on being a woman in the media, navigating relationships, and being a neurodivergent person speaking up in a neurotypical world. Illuminated is Melanie, in her own inimitable voice.
Critic reviews
‘An amazing book … a fantastic read … brave, breathless and fun’ Chris Evans
What listeners say about Illuminated
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Richard
- 25-01-24
my own feelings
amazing someone who gets me and. understands how difficult people can be when having adhdand autism
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-07-23
Honest and powerful
As some who just started their autism discovery journey at 31, this book meant everything to me.
Melanie's journey and experiences spoke to me on a deep level, and I can only aspire to get close to the level self-acceptance and peace she has achieved through her research and practices, what a strong and wise woman.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anna
- 13-08-23
So brave, truthful and inspiring
such a brave and open book. I personally found it helpful and inspiring in my own life, especially in the last chapter about 'you can be reborn'. thank you Melanie for being so honest and open!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Johanna
- 24-06-23
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed listening to your story Melanie. I’m always interested in journeys of self discovery.
I would love to hear more about your journey as a late diagnosed autistic woman and I hope you have plans to explore this more in depth, perhaps a second book could be in the pipeline?! Best wishes to you.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-01-24
Honest and raw
Delivered by the author, very honest and raw. A painful listen at times but even more reason to lean in.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- sharon
- 02-08-23
Loved this book
loved listening to this book about Melanie's life story. She is very relatable as a person
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 30-01-24
it's not really about the adult experience of finding out you have autism
if you want a good read about the adult experience of receiving an autism diagnosis read Fern Bradys book Strong Female Character.
Melanie's book is a good memoir if your interested in her life and career. she is very open about her relationship, career and financial dificulties over the years. its insightful into how disrespectfuly the TV industry treated women during her career, how challenging she found aspects due to her ASD and what her and her family went through at the hands of the media and paparazzi.
The trouble is I'm not really interested in all that. I was hoping for more reflection on her experiences in relation to her later in life diagnosis of ASD.
I like that she read it herself.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- David Hawkins
- 20-07-23
I sort this book out after being diagnosed with autism at 47
Melanie, thank you for sharing your story. So many elements resonate with me. I have now known for 3 months of a diagnosis that has connected so many elements of my life, met with joy but became depression. Learning who I am.
The way you have written this with such honesty, respect and power to you x
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DKEBR
- 26-06-23
Highly recommended
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, especially as I was also diagnosed as having Autism later in life, age 50. Thank you Melanie for being so open and honest about your life.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nathalie Manning
- 22-12-23
Excellent
Loved it! Thank you for sharing your story…I drew so many parallels and strength from listening to you.
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