This graphic novel was fantastic! I have taught children who fall on the Autism spectrum. This graphic novel would be a great teaching resource to help students, parents, and fellow educators better understand a student who is on the spectrum. Highly recommend.

This book is a great memoir and a good introduction to living with autism, especially being diagnosed as an adult. It is strongest when it embraces the medium of graphic novel, beginning with a really effective depiction of the routines autistics fall into and the isolation undiagnosed autistics feel when they are unable to bridge the divide with their allistic peers. It uses space, colour, and its illustrative style to create a really beautiful evocation of a meltdown, and is a fantastic piece of art. The times when it was 'silent' - with little to no dialogue - were so poignant, where I felt like I could hear the low murmur of a street or the jingle of change.

However, I felt like this book was very much written for allistics rather than fellow autistics, so if you are reading it as an autistic you may not be as engaged by a lot of the more instructional/informative parts, as they're relatively basic. I (as someone with Autism, especially the "high functioning autism" that would have been diagnosed as Asperger's) also felt a little bit uncomfortable with the reliance on the Asperger's terminology. While it makes sense for a memoir to use the terminology of experience, I feel that for a book published after the publication of the DSM-5, there should have at least been a note about how Asperger's is now called ASD appear in the book earlier than a footnote in the afterword. Continuing to rely on the Asperger's label in the informational section perpetuates the the dichotomy of "good" ("high-functioning") and "bad" ("low-functioning") autistics, rather than autistics falling on a spectrum and with differing needs, especially as the book makes a note to separate its protagonist from the "drooling, banging head against the wall", non-verbal autistic. For a book that wants to inform allistics about autism, I feel like this was quite a large failing. I think it also would be a bit improved by having a note about hypersocial autistics or autistics who present in ways that the protagonist does not as well. However these are more nitpicky notes about my opinions on the portrayal. On the whole it's a really effective memoir and would be a very informational book to introduce people to what it's like to be autistic, especially the experience of being diagnosed as an adult.

This graphic novel was amazing! I loved Marguerite's story and the art style was amazing. What really caught my attention from the beginning and the reason why I requested this graphic novel was because of how little knowledge I had about Asperger's syndrome. So I thought this would be a great way to learn a little bit more.

I found Marguerite's story to be so moving, how she lived her life trying to fit in and then later on finding that she in fact had Asperger's syndrome and how relieved she felt cause she didn't need/felt that she had to make an effort anymore. She simply started living. And the fact that her diagnose help her do so many things like starting a Youtube channel and a blog to educate people about Asperger's was simply inspiring.

I would recommend this book to everyone!

This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved this graphic novel. It's the story of Marguerite, a 28 years old woman and her journey in being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and learning how to enjoy life as she is.
It was a subject I didn't know that much about and reading it being told in this manner and by someone who actually has Asperger's Syndrome really helped me get educated and wanting to read more about. I'll definetely check out the sources at the end of the book to get further informations.

Invisible Difference is a book that every school and library should have.

This book follows the 27-years old Marguerite, who lives in France with her boyfriend, dog, and two cats. She lives a life like everybody else: Waking up in the morning, going to the bakery on her way to work, only there we are first introduced to what makes Marguerite different from the people around her. She dislikes noisy environments and doesn't understand the small talk. Furthermore, we realize that she lives every day in a perfect routine, which she needs to feel happy and comfortable.
People around her don't understand her behavior and Marguerite starts to wonder herself why she seems to be so different from everyone else. One day she stumbles across the symptoms of autism, which she shares, and she further researches the topic as well as Asperger. We then follow the process of Marguerite being diagnosed and understanding herself.

I was first attracted to this book because of its cover. Then I stayed for the story. I've never read a book or comic about autism before, so I am not an expert in this field, still, I think the story gave a great insight into how people with autism live and feel. It makes the reader understand them better. Thanks to the adorable drawings being mostly black and white, we could easily see what bothered Marguerite, because of the use of color. The only negative thing I would point out is that the font used is not the best.

I would recommend people to read the book. It's enjoyable and informative and easy for everyone to understand.

Originally published in French, Invisible Differences is a graphic novel by Julia Dachez and illustrated by Mademoiselle Caroline. The story centers around Marguerite and her life as someone who has Asperger’s Syndrome (today, it is now called autism spectrum disorder or ASD, but people who were diagnosed with Asperger’s still refer to themselves as aspies).

The book starts with Marguerite struggling to fit into what some people deem normal. She is not much into socializing, she finds noise over-stimulating, she has difficulty understanding idioms as well as reading other people’s body language, and she follows a regular routine. At work, her co-workers find her behavior odd. She would rather eat lunch on her desk by herself, and she declines invites to social gatherings. On one occasion, Marguerite was called to her immediate supervisor’s office. Although he did not have any conflict about her work performance, he told Marguerite that she needed to modify her behavior and adapt to the workplace environment. Furthermore, personal relationships pose difficulty to Marguerite. When her boyfriend wanted to party with friends, Marguerite would go but she was always the first one to leave the party. Her relatives see her behavior as “asocial”. Marguerite would hear from others that she needs to start loosening up and enjoy life.

In the perspective of a person with ASD, researcher, and an advocate, Dachez’ Invisible Differences shed some light on what it’s like to be diagnosed with ASD. She points out different stereotypes that people have about those who are autistic. When Marguerite tells her friends that she has Asperger’s and therefore identifies as autistic, they do not believe her, since she does not “bang her head on the wall” or “drool”. She also seems “normal” and would “look people in the eye” while talking. At one point in the book, Marguerite befriended a person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). She tells Marguerite how difficult it is for her to socialize or even find work, as she feels compelled to act “normal” and to fit in. Dachez’ urges us to look beyond ourselves and reminds us that empathy is a virtue worthy of practice.

Because of Dachez’ personal experiences, Invisible Differences feel authentic and personal. In addition, Mademoiselle Caroline’s illustration is simply stunning, adding to the emotional gravity of the story. She conveys Marguerite’s physical and mental state through images and colors. Contrasted with black and gray hues, the pop of color in Caroline’s artwork makes each page truly come alive. The simplicity of illustrations depict the experiences and struggles of a person with autism. With Caroline’s artwork, the readers will see how Marguerite comes to terms with herself and grows confident.

Invisible Differences is a great addition to the growing number of books that explore autism. It offers a good perspective to those who are looking to understand people who are diagnosed with ASD. I would encourage readers to research and read more about the subject, however. Invisible Differences is a personal perspective of someone who is diagnosed with ASD, and the story successfully conveys the message it wants to: encouraging people to learn more about autism and inspiring empathy as well as understanding.

This was a lovely read. The artwork was extremely moving and full of so much emotion. I knew exactly how the MC felt through the color choices. Reds to signify loud sounds, distractions, and anxious, nervous energy. I so appreciated how the color story developed as Marguerite learns about herself and her diagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome. The relationship between herself, the woman who worked at the bakery, and the bookseller was very wholesome.

I learned a lot and felt this was an accessible format. The resources at the end also point me to more opportunities for education and research on Autism. I was so surprised about how little resources and support there seemed to be for Marguerite, yet it makes sense why folks, especially women, go undiagnosed and unsupported-- not just in France, but around the world.

I think this has all-ages appeal and could be read starting in middle grades. This is a memoir that can be relatable and/ or illuminating. Highly recommend!

Thanks, Netgalley, for the DRC!

Marguerite has trouble in her daily life, with her boyfriend, her job and her friends. She still doesn't know that she has Asperger's so until then she has to face all of that.

This is a perfect graphic memoir to learn about autistic spectrum disorder. We see how ignorant people are about it, how disrespecful and denying. That transforms into bullying and it was awful to see how Marguerite's was suffering.
I really liked her and I have some similarities in her passions, like animals and books.
She was such a beautiful soul and it was unfair to see how badly almost everyone treated her.
Luckily, she also found some people like her that helped her to embrace who she is and live happier.

I recommend this to everyone, we all should educate ourselves in these matters. An excellent book to learn something new.

In this graphic novel, we are following a young French woman named Margurite as she navigates her job and relationships a little differently than the average person. Everyday Margurite follows that same routine to and from work. She works every day and makes very little conversation with other co-workers, opting to eat alone. She has trouble communicating with others and picking up on social cues. Lots of noise makes her very overwhelmed. She doesn't do well in social settings, opting to pet the cat instead of interacting with others. Her boss reprimands her for not being more social at work, as does her boyfriend when they go out. Margurite is beginning to feel like something is wrong with her, she has trouble connecting with others, and feels like no one wants to listen to what she has to say, and that she’s not loved by her friends. Nobody understands her and she feels very alone because of this. Her boyfriend springs an unplanned trip on her on which she will sleep in a different bed than her own. Margurite cannot deal, has a panic attack and the trip is cut short.
After this, she googles her symptoms and discovers she may have Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. As she reads personal accounts from people with Aspergers, Margurite begins to relate to these accounts and begins to wonder if she is autistic. She meets with a well-known psychologist who tells her not to believe everything you read on the internet. Feeling completely invalidated she goes to the local bookstore and takes out books on the subject of autism. Though her reading she figures out how to get in touch with the right therapist. She recounts her life to him and the therapist picks up on obvious indicators of autism, and Margurite is then diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome- Marguerite finally knows what’s wrong with her, she feels very relieved. Marguerite has her diagnosis reconfirmed through a series of tests, and now has a support network of doctors to help her navigate, as well a people of all ages who also have Aspergers. Her boyfriend doesn't take the news too well, her family doctor doesn't believe her, calling autism a fad, her friends make a joke out of it, not taking her diagnosis seriously. Soon she breaks up with her boyfriend and at the advice of her doctors pursues employment disability status and makes an appointment with the director of Human Resources to obtain accommodations at her job. But the director finds it unreasonable when Marguerite requests an office of her own, with that turned down, she requests to wear earplugs instead, to which her director says she can’t in front of other employees as it would be rude and might make them feel excluded from her.
With all of the ableism and ignorance, she faces Marguerite teams up with the woman who runs the book store and together they write this graphic novel based on marguerites experience. Marguerite quits her job and goes back to school to become a social phycologist.

The book closes out with a history of autism and how France (the author's native country) needs to do better when it comes to the diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of autistic individuals.

___

Even though I don't have Autism, I could relate to Marguerite’s character as someone with a chronic illness who has gone through the medical system and encountered doctors who dismiss their patients. Even the ignorant comments from friends and family I could relate to.
Overall I really enjoyed reading about Marguerite and her journey through autism. She even gave me the idea to try out earplugs and an eye mask to help with my insomnia.

I really enjoyed this own voices story and would highly recommend it.
4.5 stars.

**ARC provided by Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this!!
I have to admit that I've never heard of asperger's before (only googled it before reading this), but this book was very informative and I'm glad i could learn more about it, as I'd love to understand neurodiverse people better.

It made me very sad how people treated marguerite when she told them her condition. They were so rude ugh I can't believe some people actually are like this!

I also liked the art very much! It was simple but very pleasant.

I really liked this book. The main character tells her story and how much she enjoys routine, solitude, and her pets. For some reason others seem to think her strange because she doesn't respond the way they think she should. She also doesn't like noises or parties and her boyfriend guilts her about it. So she decides to google her issues and discovers it's possible that she has asperger's. The first therapist she sees to inquire about it says she doesn't because of stereotypes so she finds another therapist and has to be referred to another for a series of tests. Luckily, she is eventually confirmed in her suspicion and is diagnosed. She spends the rest of the book coming to terms, happily, of the diagnosis and having to educate everyone in her life about it, some aren't so empathetic about it. I learned a lot from this book and liked the way it told the story. The writing is more for adults but I think teens would enjoy it too.

Discussions about autism and women with autism are so rare in graphic format, so I'm very pleased to see this one available and in English. Dachez's journey through sexist diagnostic processes point to a larger problematic medical framework in which most of the things we know about autism and the spectrum are based on male profiles (when women present differently). Tender and eye-opening, this is an important contribution to literature and is vital for everyone to read.

The use of color throughout helps tell the story and educate readers without being didactic.. I especially appreciate how the book shows those with Autism as people first, but people with unique challenges that they can manage with support. It does not sugarcoat difficulties but does not imply Autism is some sort of disease needing to be cured. Above all, it emphasizes education, knowledge, and just talking to people with personal experiences. The informational back matter was also quite worth while.

After over 100 of lockdown this is the first story I have read. Given my passion for books I had expected that reading would be at the forefront of occupying me during the current climate but in fact it has been one of my struggles.

Invisible Differences in many ways felt comforting because Marguerite feelings felt like a reflection of my own. For a disclaimer, I do not have Asperger’s. However very much an introvert who can “pretend” at being social. I assume people mean what they say, I struggle with the unexpected and my life is lived by spoons due to my illness. (This will make sense when you read the book). As such this book felt very emotionally connected at times.

The storytelling of Invisible Differences is straightforward and linear. I especially liked that the narrator engaged with the reader at set points, for example with the repetition of the panels. It made Marguerite experience clear. The artwork of course complimented this, and the use of coloured panels to highlight anxiety was brilliant.

Invisible Differences is beautiful.

This graphic novel is the story of Marguerite and her invisible challenges. When she finds out about Asperger's syndrome, she sets up to find doctors that help her get an assessment. The diagnosis changes her life, explaining all her challenges and differences. And she finds out she's not alone.
I found this story informative, especially because girls often are not diagnosed as criteria are based on men, but also positive and pleasant to read. The illustrations are lovely, neat and expressive, and the text is concise and interesting. I liked the colour accents.
In UK the estimate is 1 child out of 100 in the autistic spectrum - this is a good way to raise awareness and remind ourselves that we should all be kinder to others, we don't know what life they're living.

Invisible Differences by Julie Dachez is a graphic novel, originally published in French and recently translated into English, that tells the story of Marguerite, a French women who struggles to cope with daily life. She finds solace in routines and quiet, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, coworkers and even friends and family. Often, she feels overwhelmed by noise and craves intimacy but has a hard time achieving it. Even when she goes to the doctor to try and get a medical professional to support her needs after going to HR, she's all but laughed at and told that because she speaks eloquently, there couldn't be anything wrong with her. It's not until she starts researching her symptoms that she discovers the term Asperger's and is tested. Armed with that knowledge, she starts to make positive changes for herself and finds the friends and work-life balance she craves.

As someone who knows someone with Autism, it is enlightening to see the world from the perspective of an individual who is neurodivergent. I found it sad in places, especially when it was obvious Marguerite was trying so very hard to fit into her world and her efforts were dismissed or laughed at. But in the end, it is hopeful, because she finds she is not alone: that she has friends who understand her, doctors who acknowledge her diagnosis and support groups that help her make the changes she needs. I highly recommend this book for everyone but especially those newly diagnosed or family members or friends of those newly diagnosed, especially as the last quarter of the book gives some medical background on Asperger's and how it is handled throughout the world, especially in France.

Trigger Warning: There is a scene where Marguerite is attempting to help her neighbor and he forcibly kisses her. She fights him off and he verbally abuses her and accuses her of leading her on. This scene emphasizes that some neurodivergent people can be the victim of predators because they don't recognize the danger but it may cause issues with some readers.

Note: I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and the publishers.

This was so lovely. The story is told in a pretty straightforward way yet the writer still manages to make you connect and care about the main character. The art is simple yet conveys perfectly the surroundings. I felt like I was there, hearing what the main character was hearing. The story does a great job of showing the aggravating interactions the main character has to deal with on the daily. It manages to be educational while be entertaining. It's sad and it's hopeful and I think everyone could enjoy this.

Excellent own-voices graphic novel exploring the experiences of a young woman with undiagnosed Asperger's, her efforts to understand her neurological status, and her resulting commitment to both live her best life and increase awareness in her native France about autism. The narrative is clean, compelling, and sympathetic. The artwork is appealing, if sometimes overly generic (for example, at times it is unclear which blonde female character is which if they are outside their usual settings). I would strongly recommend this book for teenagers and adults.

I'm not sure what made this graphic novel memoir of a young woman with Asperger's (Autism Spectrum Disorder) special, but I connected with it more than similar graphically told memoirs of navigating a world that doesn't get you. There's something special about it.

The storyline itself is pretty typical -- our protagonist runs into challenging situations with dating and work where people tell her she just shouldn't feel the way she ways and to get over her anxieties. When she Googles her symptoms, gets tested and receives an official diagnosis of Asperger's, she is elated. She finally understands what's been going on all these years and why she seems out of sync with everyone around her. But those around her still don't get it. The reactions of friends, colleagues, and even strangers to her news is frustrating. Her steady persistence, curiosity and desire to help lets the reader feel like they're part of her journey. I love the hope and kindness that permeates the book.

What put the book over the top for me was the appendix-type material after the main story with a bit about the history of Asperger's, strategies for "Aspies" themselves as well as those who interact with them, and important facts, such as that women with Asperger's are at much higher risk of sexual assault because they have challenges recognizing predatory behavior.

Grade: A

#InvisibleDifferences #NetGalley

This graphic novel was an impressive read, and partly educational!
The protagonist takes us into her world and what it is like to live with Asperger, in my case I did not know much about it, but this novel has helped me to know how someone who suffers from it lives it day by day.

Each page keeps your attention since the same protagonist is of great interest, at the same time it is a fun story, and it takes little time to read it completely.

It is an ideal book for those who do not know much about the syndrome and want to know what the life of someone suffering from it is like, a book for adolescents and adults, since it requires certain mental maturity to understand it.

The illustrations were a great accompaniment and made it more unforgettable.