This was by far the cutest and amazing graphic novel I've recently read! I liked everything about it! Very inspirational!

I can't stress how important a book like this is. It is that kind of books that inviting you to understand about something important without judging you for not knowing about the topic.
It really helps someone like me, who have a minimum understanding about Asperger's.
I simply thankful for books like this. I will def purchase this book once it's out.

I believe everyone should read this to get a better understanding of Asperger syndrome as it seems what we presume might completely wrong or half right. Just because of some misleading information we took and believe on a website, we take someone close to us that trying to cope up with their Asperger's for granted and what we really need to do is to embrace the fact. No one is the same, and that is alright because what is normal anyway? Let's stop being ignorant.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I'm so glad I found this graphic novel, and also so sad that France (were this graphic novel is translated from) has so little knowledge about Asperger Syndrome. As for me, with a invisible diagnos myself, I feel so much connection to the main protagonist. The only struggle I had with this graphic novel was that the text and bubbles sometimes were different shades of red, which I found very hard to read. I understood the message why the different chat bubbles were different colors, but some colors are really hard to read when the font is small on your mobile phone.

But this graphic novel has everything you would want in this type of memoar. I truly enjoyed every aspect of it and I find the discussion of a lot of stuff that people around you could say and react when you tell them about your diagnos. I found the memoar very easy to follow, but also made me more aware over what Asperger Syndrome is and give a education for everyone who want it. I feel like everyone can read this and get a better understanding (and hopefully a kinder response for people with this diagnose) and be better people.

Invisible Differences sheds light and raises awareness for Asperger's Syndrome. This graphic novel follows Marguerite and her daily struggles as she tries to lead a relatively normal life. Besides being entertaining and interesting, Invisible Differences does a phenomenal job of explaining misconceptions on Asperger's and showing a rather personal and unique perspective on this topic.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press publishers for providing a free ARC

This graphic novel, which is newly translated into English from French, shares the true story of a young woman who discovers that she has Asperger's and reevaluates her life based on her new understanding that it okay for her to be abnormal. This book provides insight into how adults deal with ASD symptoms, such as social struggles and noise disturbance, and is particularly interesting because it follows a female main character, and women are less likely to be accurately diagnosed.

The art is colorful, appealing, and dramatic, with red dialogue bubbles and squiggles to illustrate disturbing noise. Although this graphic novel sometimes reads more like an informational pamphlet than a story, especially during the second half, the art elevates it into an engaging experience. People who are on the spectrum, or know and love someone who is, are likely to find this book reassuring and helpful, and this is also a great resource for people who aren't familiar with the issue and would like to be better informed and more sensitive to others.

Even though I am not on the spectrum, I related to many elements of the story because of my experiences with high sensitivity, misophonia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Near the end of the story, the main character becomes friends with an OCD person, and this was a nice tie-in and acknowledgment, since ASD and OCD people are irritated by many of the same things and have ritualistic tendencies in common.

At the end of this book, there is more information about autism, and the author's note also addresses the history of how autism spectrum disorders have been misunderstood and poorly treated in France, where this semi-biographical story is set. It was interesting to learn more about the impact of cultural issues there, and the book translates well into English, because the setting is interesting and intensifies the character's personal journey.

4.5 Stars ( I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

This graphic novel was a joy to read and definitely has parts that everyone can relate to. Margaret has always been different from everyone else. Preferring blunt honesty, routine, quiet and staying at home everyone seems to have opinions on her odd life. This brings her a lot of stress, wishing she could do things differently and starts her on a journey. Learning more about something called Asperger's syndrome, trying to get a diagnosis and connecting with support groups. In turn leading her to find some peace and purpose about her life. Also there is another person in the story that represents another mental health condition, which was nice to see.

This book is a non-fiction graphic novel about the author's life before and after being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

I loved the art style, before the diagnosis the art was mainly black and white with hints of red, afterward there was more colour as the author learned to accept herself.

My main issue with this book was the language, which may have been bad translation from the original French to English. At one point the boyfriend is referred to as 'lover' in conversation to a neighbour which I just didn't like.

I really did not like the boyfriend and most of the friends in the first part of the book, which was part of the story arc, but none of them really recognised their wrong behaviour by the end of the book.

I understand that this is non-fiction and has to stay true to life, and I feel bad rating non-fiction lower, but I just didn't enjoy it.

I truly truly loved this one. It broke my heart too, but in a good way. I understood her loneliness and frustration so much, I recognized myself in a lot of her pro & personnal/social difficult situations.
This is an inspiring and positive story about resilience and growth, and a very important book for anyone who struggles not only with Asperger syndrome or autism spectrum disorder but any mental disorder really. It also dismantle a lot of clichés and is informative enough for people to drop their prejudices about the Difference in general, if that makes sense.

That book is important, please read it.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Oni press for this ARC, I'm grateful. Plus, as a French woman, it's always funny to read an English translation of a French author.

Invisible Differences is a graphic novel inspired by Julie Dachez’s own life and her experiences with Aspergers. In Invisible Differences we follow Marguerite, who’s constantly told she’s weird and is often criticized for being awkward and anti-social. She is eventually pushed to confront what makes her different.

If I had to choose one word to describe Invisible Differences it would be quiet. Invisible Differences is a subtle story, essentially following Marguerite’s everyday life. She’s a creature of habit, and so some panels tend to get very repetitive, but I think this effectively reflects on her state of mind. Invisible Differences read a bit like a fable. There were aspects to it that I had a hard time believing, and that I thought were included to get certain messages and points across. An example of this is Marguerite’s boyfriend, he’s extremely insensitive to her needs and I began to question how they got together in the first place and why they were together to begin with. I’m willing to overlook this, however, because I do think the novel’s ultimate goal is to educate and help others gain some insight into what life with Aspergers is like.

In terms of art, Invisible Differences is very simply illustrated with a Parisienne feel to it makes sense given it takes place in France, and uses colours very effectively to depict emotion. I especially liked that the graphic novel slowly integrated colour as the story progressed, going from grayscale with red accents to full-colour. I thought this fully utilized the graphic novel format. My one complaint in regards to format was that I wish there were chapters. I understand this decision as the story flows well and there aren't many places where a break would have been natural, but it's still something I wish was worked in.

I devoured Invisible Difference in one sitting. From the Dedication to the information at the end of the book and everything in between, I was hooked on Marguerite's quirks and her journey to self discovery.

Marguerite's struggles with everyday life is relatable to those I know with Asperger's Syndrome. Once she found the right therapist and had a solid diagnosis, Marguerite learned that it is normal for her to display autistic characteristics. She adapted her life accordingly to bring joy to herself and awareness of Asperger's Syndrome to others.

This is an empowering book for anyone to read, but especially for those who want to get a graphic novel glimpse of what it is like to live with Asperger's Syndrome.

When it comes to books about autism and Asperger’s syndrome, I noticed a pattern with the type of books available; they’re either heavy medical texts that most people would struggle to read,, or they are personal accounts but always written by men. It never occurred to me until reading Invisible Differences that there was a gender bias when it comes to autism, or to how it influences peoples’ perspectives of it.

I absolutely adored this graphic novel. It’s the right amount of educational, with a heartwarming story of Marguerite discovering herself and growing into herself after feeling like the outsider for so long. There were many moments that felt relatable, seeing how her Asperger’s impacts her daily life. Like I mentioned before, there aren’t many female focused books on autism, and it’s refreshing and imperative to learn more about that experience.

I feel like I’ve learned so much more about autism enough to speak to customers about it, and if they want to learn more this would be my go to for them to check out. It’s a wonderful story, giving plenty of information, and a unique perspective. I love the art, and the subtle colourful transition that signifies her happiness, and the information provided.

I will be leaving a review on the Waterstones website.

This was a super interesting read for me and it was even more interesting to learn that it’s a translated version of a graphic novel that was originally in French. As someone who learned about Asperger’s in school, it was super interesting to see it being portrayed in a graphic novel and giving the condition the representation it deserves! Great read if you’re interested in learning more about the disorder in a less serious way rather than picking up a textbook or reading a Wikipedia page. Highly insightful!

This graphic novel is actually a form of memoir, although it's told in the third person. It's about 27 year old Marguerite, who likes sunny days, chocolate, and animals, and has a pretty average life consisting of work, visiting the bakery and spending time with her boyfriend. And she is also autistic.

The graphic novel shows her interactions with colleagues, friends, her neighbour and her lover. It shows her difficulty connecting with people, and her difficulties fitting in at work and understanding things. She does her job really well but it's not enough. She's uncomfortable in social situations and people see her as rude, but the graphic novel shows us her panic afterwards. Parts of it are very sad, especially when she finally tells people about her autism and they still don't accept her. I connected with her, felt for her, and felt represented by her. Marguerite's story is only one way in which autism presents itself, but a lot of what she goes through is universal to autistic people, and this graphic novel beautifully shows why we behave the way we do, and the autistic view of the situation. In fact, Marguerite's relief upon finding out about autism mirrors how a lot of autistic people diagnosed as adults feel. We're not broken, just wired differently.

I really love the art style. The faces are very expressive and everything flows nicely. The use of colour is also really clever. A lot of the book is in black and white, with splashes of red that show sensory input or emotional overload. In fact, this book is a great visual for explaining sensory overload. I also liked how the colours changed after Marguerite's diagnosis, making the world a more rainbow and vibrant place, like she has found her position in the world and things are getting better for her. Because of this clever use of colour, parts of the graphic novel manage to say a lot without using a lot of words.

In the parts of the book with more words, it feels quite educational at times. The book sometimes feels more like it's telling the reader about autism than telling a story. This is not a bad thing at all, but it does give the book a more educational feel. It covers the very important topic of the difficulties of getting diagnosed autistic as an adult. Marguerite faces disbelief even from medical professionals, and extremely long waiting times.

There is some information about autism at the end of the book. The author does note that the use of aspergers is slightly outdated, but that the book is set in France, where autism is not as well researched or understood as in other countries. It explains some of the issues that autistic people have in France. Most of this information is very good and informative, despite talking about outdated distinctions between ASD and Aspergers. However, I do disagree with the comment that autistic kids 'enjoy' access to ABA in other countries, as many autistic adults who have been through ABA as a child have spoken out against the treatment as being abusive.

Overall, the book celebrates being neurodiverse, and ends on a hopeful, positive note. A must read for adults who suspect that they may be autistic or have just been diagnosed as autistic, and for pretty much anyone else who wants to understand an autistic friend or family member better.

Invisible Differences was deeply moving book. Equal parts informative and intimate, I believe that it is a great tool to educate people on the nuances of being a woman with Asperger's. While it is disheartening to learn that the world has a ways to go to accommodate neuroatypical people, it's nice to know that stories like this exist to help build understanding and bring about change. The art is beautiful and the story is uplifting. A must read.

As someone with friends who have autism, I found this book helpful for understanding what my friends are going through a little more. Beautiful art style and story.

This is my first time reading a graphic novel about Asperger's.
Marguerite is a 27 years old woman and live her life full of little and precise habits. She's an introvert, an animals lover who live with her boyfriend. At work she's super diligent but she don't like so much to socialize with other colleagues. But that's because she can not be comfortable in spaces with many people and full of noise.

These situations put a strain on Marguerite, which will lead her to move away from her loved ones.

Through the story, Marguerite will understand that she has Asperger's. She'll find a therapy group - an heterogeneous group of young and adult people - so, the reader can know that everyone react in a different way to their illness.

I liked how the author focused on Marguerite's emotions changing colors that from gray turn into red.

I think everyone should read this book, because it may help people to discover something new which is not always well understood by society.

I thought Invisible Differences depicted beautifully the struggles faced by people with Aspergers Syndrome. The feelings that Marguerite was coming up against we're some I'm sure we can all relate to in some way even if we are different. I thought it was really valuable and eye-opening to read such an honest account and to hear how behind France are when it comes to Autism was really quite shocking.

Such positive messages throughout - you are not alone, not all disabilities are seen etc.

The illustrations and simplistic and quiet which really compliment the story.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Thank you to NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

If you're someone who thinks they might be autistic, this is the book to read. If you're someone who knows a person who's been recently diagnosed and you're struggling to understand it, this is also the book for you. If you see autistics solely through the lens of stereotypes, then all the more it's a story for you - to understand and grow out of this view.

I liked EVERYTHING about this graphic novel. Everything. From the preface that's incredibly encouraging to those who have always felt they're too different, to the drawing style which is simply precious, to the story itself, which was SO. UNBELIEVABLY. RELATABLE.

Anyway, I really loved the drawings in this graphic novel. Not only are they adorable and the style is amazing, but I've never seen someone ACTUALLY DRAW SOUND and make me feel like I'm hearing it. Situations are just so emotionally presented, it takes me back to my own past and such situations. There's a part where Marguerite slowly feels herself become invisible and disappear while she's sitting at a loud, crowded party, trying to work out how she even fits into all of this. It's so true to how it feels to not belong - becoming invisible, where it seems that even the noise is more visible than you. The artist did such an amazing job.

But the story itself is just as amazing as the drawings are.

From the very first pages where Marguerite gets assaulted with all the awful din of an open plan office or gets called in for a talk with the boss because "not socializing with workmates during your free time" is somehow part of your work performance, everything was just so relatable. I was the one who brought my own lunch and was always misunderstood when the others would rather spend the entire hour waiting in line in a cafe and spending way too much on food that had way too little actual nutrients. I was also the one who would just cut small talk short because, you know, there was work to do - but apparently not actually doing work is preferred in most workplaces? But don't let me rant on, because I'll never stop - I could write a book about every one of these situations and how I could relate to them.

There is so much more that I'd like to share, but I can't, cause some people might know themselves and I don't want them to. I had even written it all out, but then I realized, I really can't share this. This is how close to the bone the story cut.

This book is absolutely recommended. 5 glowing stars. This book was so wonderful. And the only reason I'm not reviewing it on my blog or social media with more detail is because it might be about me, and I'm not sure I can talk about it too openly. I don't want too much detail on this where people from my private life can read it, if you get what I mean.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

Originally published in French in 2016 and published in English for the first time this year, Invisible Differences is the nonfiction story of Marguerite, a 27 year old woman who slowly discovers that she is on the autism spectrum with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Mademoiselle Caroline and Julie Dachez’s book was pretty good. As you’d expect, it’s informative about the condition and gives you a good idea of what life’s like for someone with autism. Not a whole lot happens though, particularly in the first half which just repetitively shows Marguerite’s life, awkwardly not fitting in with her work environment and her boyfriend’s social life and wondering what’s wrong with her.

It also reads a bit like an illustrated pamphlet on autism in the second half, rather than a natural story, with all the information about the condition coming out in one info dump after another. But it’s an interesting condition so reading about it wasn’t that dull and it’s easy to see why it’s been such a difficult condition to classify and why so many people are unaware of what it entails to the person who has it.

I really liked Mademoiselle Caroline’s art which reminded me of other brilliant French cartoonists like Dupuy and Berberian and Penelope Bagieu. The use of colour was clever - the first half is largely black and white with some harsh reds and then, after her diagnosis, you see more colour appearing in the second half until, by the end, everything’s in colour, showing the reader Marguerite has realised a happier, fuller life through understanding who she is.

It’s not the most exciting read but Invisible Differences isn’t boring either and has some very appealing art throughout. Worth a look for anyone wanting to know more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (which is what Asperger’s was renamed in 2013) and/or enjoys slice of life comics.