Not Even Wrong

Not Even Wrong intertwines two parallel narratives: the story of Peter, Paul Collins' autistic son, and the historical account of Peter the Wild Boy, an 18th-century feral child found in the forests of Hanover, Germany. Collins investigates autism's long history while documenting his own family's experiences raising a child on the autism spectrum. He travels through Europe and America researching medical archives and historical records to piece together how society has viewed and treated neurodivergent individuals across centuries. The narrative moves between intimate family moments and broader historical investigations, connecting dots between past and present understandings of autism and human development. Collins examines how diagnoses, treatments, and cultural attitudes have evolved from the 1700s to modern times. The book offers insights into both the unchanging nature of human difference and the ways societies create frameworks to understand those differences. Through parallel stories separated by centuries, the text explores questions of what defines normalcy and how we determine the boundaries of human consciousness.

Readers consistently note Collins' empathetic portrayal of both his autistic son Morgan and Peter the Wild Boy, avoiding sensationalism in connecting their stories across centuries. Many appreciate the parallel narratives and historical research, with one reviewer calling it "a tender meditation on what makes us human." Positive reviews highlight: - Clear, engaging writing style - Balance of personal memoir with historical context - Thoughtful exploration of neurodiversity without preaching Common criticisms: - Narrative threads can feel disjointed - Some historical tangents stretch too long - Occasional overuse of medical terminology Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (85 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings) One repeated comment from reviewers is that the book works best when focused on Collins' direct experiences with his son rather than the historical elements. Multiple parents of autistic children noted feeling validated by Collins' honest portrayal of daily challenges and joys.

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⭐ Paul Collins wrote this book after discovering his own son was on the autism spectrum, weaving together historical accounts of autism with his personal journey as a parent. 🔍 The book's title comes from a phrase used by physicist Wolfgang Pauli, who would dismiss poor scientific theories as "not even wrong" - meaning they couldn't be tested or disproven. 📚 Collins explores the story of Peter the Wild Boy, an 18th-century feral child found in German forests who likely had Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a condition often mistaken for autism. 🌟 The author is known as "The Literary Detective" on NPR's Weekend Edition and teaches creative nonfiction at Portland State University. 🗂️ While researching the book, Collins examined centuries-old medical records and historical documents across multiple countries to trace the earliest documented cases of what we now recognize as autism.