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Illuminated

Autism & All The Things I’ve left Unsaid

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Illuminated

By: Melanie Sykes
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About this listen

All the things I left unsaid…

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.

 Children's Health Divorce & Separation Entertainment & Celebrities Relationships Celebrity Heartfelt Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

‘Wonderful … a life worth telling’ Graham Norton

‘An amazing book … a fantastic read … brave, breathless and fun’ Chris Evans

All stars
Most relevant
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.

Enjoyable

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Melanie's book is certain to provoke introspection and evoke a deep understanding and admiration for her personal odyssey. And, what an odyssey. How she kept going given all the trauma and abuse she has endured and the way she has managed to find a path to gratitude is truly inspirational.
The fact that it is legal for the media engine to profit from abuse and harassment and the individual who is harassed has no recourse makes my blood boil. Surely there must be a way to break the cycle?

Intelligent, brutally honest and heart wrenching what a profoundly brave book

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great honest book - I really enjoyed it after a few chapters. lots of detail about the entertainment industry and how awful it can be!

loved the honest advice on neuro-diverse

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Melanie, thank you for writing your truth and giving neurodiverse women a voice. Inspirational. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Thank you

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I had already begun the process of a diagnosis for autism and this book illustrated how many traits I have.
Melanie Sykes was not someone who was ever on my radar but it was fascinating to read about her life and spiritual journey as well as understand how her autism had affected her

Emotional and relatable

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