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Maybe I'm Amazed

A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs: A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

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About this listen

 ⭐⭐⭐A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK⭐⭐⭐

'BRILLIANT' ADRIAN CHILES
'THIS BOOK CONTAINS MAGIC' CAITLIN MORAN
'ENTRANCING, HEARTBREAKING, UPLIFTING' MARINA HYDE

In this extraordinary memoir, a father tells the story of how music has opened up the world to his son, one song at a time.

Obsessed with music since he was a child, John Harris had no idea that he was in fact preparing himself for the greatest challenge of his life. But so it transpired. When his son James was born, and three years later diagnosed with autism, music became a source of precious connection and endless wonder for both of them.

Maybe I'm Amazed describes how the music of The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Funkadelic, The Velvet Underground, Amy Winehouse and many more were soon woven into the fabric of James's life, becoming an essential part of who he is. It takes us through the struggles of raising an autistic child in a prejudiced world, and uncovers a hidden history of neurodivergence and creativity that casts new light on why notes, chords and lyrics speak so powerfully to the human mind.

Anyone who has fallen in love with a band or heard their life reflected back to them by a song will recognise themselves in the story of this father and his son. And in considering the intense and transcendent way James absorbs and connects with music, it has lessons in listening and living for us all.©2025 John Harris Media Ltd Children's Health Entertainment & Celebrities People with Disabilities Relationships

Critic reviews

Every page breaks your heart then repairs it with love, compassion and the magical power of music. A stunning reminder that the alchemy of music and words can overcome, heal and connect like no other art form. (Nicky Wire, Manic Street Preachers)
This book taught me so much and delighted and moved me even more. Entrancing, heartbreaking, uplifting - a complete inspiration and education. (Marina Hyde)
All of us who love music know it has a power beyond just the sound it makes. In this moving account of life with a neurodivergent child, we get to witness that power first hand. (Billy Bragg)
A real page-turner, John Harris's wonderful book is literally awe-inspiring . . . it provides a touching and personal window into the relationship between a father and his autistic son and is an immensely valuable contribution to our understanding of the special connection between autistic people and music. (Simon Baron-Cohen)
A fascinating journey into another way of knowing music and a testament to unconditional love. Brilliant. (Johnny Marr)
One of the most honest, joyful stories I've ever read. This book contains magic. (Caitlin Moran)
As a tribute to the power of music to forge lines of communication between people separated by divergent ways of thinking (by extension, cultural and geographical boundaries as much as neurological ones), Maybe I'm Amazed is as uplifting as it is in other respects troubling. The obstacles facing the autistic and their carers are considerable enough without knee-jerk "othering". If we can all get down to Funkadelic's Fish, Chips And Sweat, maybe our brains don't work so differently after all. (Danny Eccleston, Editor, MOJO)
As touching as it is informative, bringing together autism champions like Loma Wing and Simon Baron-Cohen with Macca and Mott the Hoople. It feels like an essential read for any music lovers with neurodiversity in the family, and for those who are neurotypical, too. (Jeremy Allen)
Touching and candid . . . This moving portrait of normal people dealing with an unfathomable situation captures the uncertainty, guilt and flashes of joy that having an autistic child brings [and] the freedoms and revelations that come through music.
Harris writes about music with wit, clarity and a welcome lack of pretension . . . through his and James's shared love of music, his initial doomy grief gives way to a constellation of admiration, fear, humour, awe and, of course, love. I wept several times, and the book wouldn't have that power without the author's willingness to be real and vulnerable. As he observes, autistic traits appear throughout humankind. You might say we're like everyone else - only more so.
All stars
Most relevant
I’m an autistic ADHDer with a lifelong love of music. The differences between myself and James are probably pretty numerous, but his experiences as told by John Harris in this incredible book resonated on a very deep level. Several passages have caught me off guard, resulting either in tears of joy or heartbreak.
John’s style of going through this journey is beautiful, full of love and fantastic stories, while backing up discoveries made along the way with his own research. I’m going to be getting a copy of this book for my own dad, from whom I inherited his obsession with music.
I could not recommend this book more, whether the reader is autistic or not. If music has shaped your life in any way, this is a must-read.
Sometimes I struggle with how to tell my own experiences as a neurodivergent person - John Harris, thank you so much for this incredible book. I have no doubt it’s going to be a very important resource in many people’s lives.

I’m absolutely amazed 💙

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An amazing story told really well. Educational and interesting the struggles are outweighed by the moments of insight and joy. I was moved to tears several times by the wonder and connection between father and son.

The joy and sensitivity.

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The joyous bits had me in tears a few times. John lifts the veil on autism in a wonderfully told story.

First class

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Highly recommend this! A heartfelt celebration of autism, and a father and son’s unique communication through a shared love of music. Once I started, I couldn't stop listening - an all too familiar story of a family battling the system to access support for their son, alongside a joyful insight into the often overlooked nuances and strengths of different perceptions of the world. And cool music insights along the way for all music lovers of the 70s, 80s and 90s!!! This will resonate with many 🌈💗

Heartfelt celebration of autism and music!

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This is an incredible book, combining a deep love of all the best music with the most life-affirming tale of family life. John Harris is a brilliant empathetic journalistic and this book takes those skills to a new level. I cannot recommend this audiobook highly enough. It will change the way you think about the world and the people around you.

Definitely I’m amazed

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