This comic is what should be common knowledge. It helps everyone understand what people with Autism and Aspergers and how sound and too many people around them feels. I was so drawn into this comic. It was amazing, and I like how the writer and designer explained the process they went through to make the comic. Overall a definite winner for me,

Thank you so much Netgalley for a copy of Invisible Differences!

I am speechless moreover, amazed by all the things I did not know about being autistic and dealing with Asperger's syndrome. Of curse I had a basic knowledge that I have learnt during my Psichology curses at Uni, but this was so detailed and presented ina very cute and selfless way.

The graphic was incredible, sweet and easy to follow! I loved the ilustrations.

As for our main character, Marguerite feels awkward, struggling every day. Pretty relatable, hm? She represent all the feels we are hiding and the novel emphasize the importance between things that are hard for autistic people whilst it might be easy for someone who is "normal". But what does normal mean in real life? Everyone is normal on their own way, we have to accept ourselves and work from what we got and who we are.
Life is about discovering ourselves and becoming our best selves. This is what this novel teaches you:
- You are unique on your own way - and having autistic-effects or mental health issues does not define you!

I highly recommend reading this graphic novel: beautiful illustration, amazing story (which was actually based on true events).

Wonderful artwork, sad but true to real life and quite funny at some points! I love it and I think others will too.

Invisible Differences by Julie Dachez illustrates Marguerite's life, a 20-something-year old living in France, who had just recently been diagnosed with Aspergers' Syndrome. The book highlights the lack of resources for autistic people in France, and the miseducation of the people's perception of autism. This was particularly interesting to me, because I work in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.

The illustrations perfectly captured the "feeling" of symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. The red dialogue for when other people talked to Marguerite. Red for the anxiety she felt before responding back, and the unpredictability of that person's reaction. Large cursive font for all the distracting background noise contributes to Marguerite's hypersensitivity. The repeating panels for the need to follow a routine, to name a few. This really helps the reader understand the magnitude of how it feels to be autistic.

No doubt, a five star read, absolutely loved it.

A woman named Marguerite discovers her atypical behaviors are a result of having Aspergers syndrome. This diagnosis is more common in the US than in France, so this resolution will not be a huge surprise to most American readers. That said, Invisible Differences is an easy read, as readers will be rooting for Marguerite to discover the cause of her issues, and it is a relief for the readers as well as for Marguerite when she does. What stands out the most is the terrific artwork from Mademoiselle Caroline. I hope to see more of her work published in the US - she brings some amazing art direction and color styling to the book and these touches bring this world to life. The book is more for the psychology section of the store than the graphic novel section in many ways, but I would be happy to read more stories of Marguerite's day-to-day life.

This was such a beautiful and important read for everyone. The story is about Marguerite, a French adult, finding out that she has Asperger and learning to make changes in her life and value what makes her happy.

Invisible Differences is both beautiful and powerful. I love the way Julie Dachez uses this graphic novel to explore identity and perspective — its a creative use of the tools that comics offer us. A very teachable book! Much love.

Marguerite struggles just to get through every day. She realizes she is different from most people. She hates noise, hates any break in her routine, and doesn't always understand social cues. She goes to work early to avoid awkward encounters with her coworkers. Her boss commends her on her good work but makes it clear that socializing is part of the workplace and she must try harder to work with others.

Outside of work, she tries to please her boyfriend by attending parties with him but she sits on the sidelines just waiting for the chance to leave. Her inability to recognize sexual advances almost leads her into serious trouble.

After a fight with her boyfriend, she decides to investigate what makes her so different from other people. Through internet searches, discussions with friends and doctors, and testing, she learns she has Asperger's and it changes her life profoundly and for the better with the support of understanding friends and her therapy group.

Invisible Differences by Julie Dachez gives a fascinating and educational view of what it's like for people with Asperger's, the importance of diagnosis, therapy, and the support of friends and family. The story itself is well-written and the art complements it perfectly. The graphics are mostly in black and white, using splashes of colour sparingly to show that differences can be beautiful. I knew little about Asperger's before reading this but it explains it in a way that is easily understood while telling a very interesting story.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

Living with an autistic partner, this book hits close to home. While awareness is slowly growing, aspies are rarely accepted, Dealing with this serious topic in the shape of a graphic novel was an excellent choice, especially to render noise sensitivity. I would recommend this little gem to anyone who is willing to learn, and might recognise themselves or someone they love within the pages.

pretty cute illustrations and a very informative and emotional story. i’m happy that i found this but i’m happier for marguerite aka julie and her own free noise world

Marguerite struggles in the workplace, in her personal relationships and in her daily interactions with others. Her friends and even her boyfriend label her a recluse and tell her to try harder. But Marguerite perseveres and thanks to some research, discovers the spectrum that is Autism and specifically Asperger's. Once diagnosed by professionals, she changes her life to FIT HER, not the other way around. This eye-opening graphic memoir shows Marguerite stand up for her rights to an inclusive workplace, a mature and better-fitting social life with others like herself and shows how we and others must begin to recognize Autism and its spectrum of abilities.

Invisible Differences covers a topic from a very specific point of view that is rarely considered. The protagonist, Marguerite, encounters difficulty in many quotidian situations, such as navigating the social aspect of her workplace. She has very particular needs around sensory stimuli, has trouble picking up the nuances in casual speech, and prefers to be alone in the company of her pets and in her home where everything feels safer. She realizes that what is normal/right for her isn't considered so within the wider French society, and so she seeks answers. Unfortunately, she meets some ill-informed and rude doctors and mental health professionals, but finally is able to find a place that provides comprehensive testing. The result? Asperger Syndrome (AS).
While some may feel pigeon-holed by a diagnosis, Marguerite leans towards feeling liberated by finally having a name for her experience. She also finds community and a new sense of direction when her workplace proves unfriendly towards her needs.
While the overall tone of the story is positive once she receives a diagnosis, the authors are clear in showing how backwards France is when it comes to knowledge and practice around autism. When Marguerite shares her diagnosis with others, she is often met with disbelief, as most people have a set idea of what autism looks like. This is precisely why this book was so great, though. Conversations in the media about autism often surround children, and particularly boys. When talking about adults with autism, it's usually related to savants. Invisible Differences shows us not only an adult, but an adult female in France, as she navigates what it means to live in that society with autism. It's a refreshing and much-needed point of view, and it doesn't hurt that the comics themselves are utterly charming and lovely.

I've found that graphic memoirs are really great empathy builders - ways to let people really inhabit the lives of others in a non-threatening way and this is one of the best i've read. Enthusiastic recommendation.

So good! I first read the original version in French but rereading it, the translation this time, just as good. Strong story and amazing drawing made this graphic novel a must read!

I enjoyed getting to know the main character, Marguerite. She doesn't quite fit in the world around her and her co-workers, friends and boyfriend tell her she just needs to try harder. Eventually, she finds out that she's autistic and things start to make more sense. People around her still don't understand, even though she now has the words to explain to them. But gradually things improve as she makes new friends who understand her better and she refuses to put up with being gaslit and belittled anymore.

I found it so frustrating how badly she was treated at work and in social situations! I really empathised with Marguerite and felt really annoyed by the lack of respect from those around her. I would have preferred to spend less time on that and more on her being happy and being treated right. But maybe that was the point of the book; to encourage neurotypical people to see things from an autistic person's point of view and to feel the frustration of living in a world that excludes you.

This is a lovely opportunity for most neurotypicals to learn about Asperger’s and autism.

I loved that this was in a graphic novel format which makes it easier to reach a bigger audience that prefers not to read long heavy volumes in order to learn and the art itself was also beautiful on its own.

I enjoyed every frame.

Thank you to NetGalley Oni Press for this DRC.

8/10

What a stunning book! This is about Asperger's, which is a form of autism. This approaches the topic quite well and delicately, which I appreciate. I enjoyed reading about Marguerite, who realizes she has Asperger's. She's such a sweet lady! The art style is very loosy and flowing, which makes it fun and comfortable to read. The layout is well done and easy to read.

This book was a quick and easy read. As someone who has autism I found this book to be highly enjoyable and very accurate.

Marguerite is in her late 20s, and this is her journey of discovering and accepting she has Asperger's Disease. The story and art do a wonderful job of portraying how she feels and how her mind works, to a point where what bothers her starts to bother us readers as well. I start to feel comfort in her routine, and in silence too, when she does.

There are a lot of details about what Asperger's really is or isn't, and it's very didactic in a way, but still easy to understand. Also, those details and explanations never interrupt the story or the flow; they enrich it. They help build (and, again, understand) the character and what she is experiencing.

This is a really important graphic novel that I sort of wish I had read sooner (it's out in French and Portuguese for a few years already), but I'm glad to have found now.

Very recognizable.

Like Marguerite I find parties exhausting (I pop out to walk the dog), the noisiness of the open plan office bothers me (and so does wearing ear plugs), and a few years ago I read an article on hidden autism in women that just clicked. Unlike Marguerite I haven't bothered to get a diagnosis: it's not going to cure the social awkwardness; it just makes it more difficult to renew my driver's license.

It was great reading Marguerite's life. I recognize that, and that. Other things: I don't have it as bad as that. Noise in the office: it didn't exhaust me as much as Marguerite, but due to corona most of the colleagues and their annoying habits are working from home now. Still, not going to share I think I have Asperger's with the colleagues; their framework is probably the same as Marguerite's (Rain man and such). I've worked too hard at being almost normal to change their opinions of me.

Recommended to everyone that feels awkward in a social situation most of the time. We are not alone.

Recommended to everyone who knows someone that you think is odd and responds unpredictable. (HR manager, I'm looking at you.)