This book was so relatable to anyone who has ever dealt with being misunderstood due to their invisible illness. The adult female autism representation is very accurate and I think it is a very real representation of autism. Females on the spectrum are massively underrepresented and this story is an incredible addition to autistic literature. The story doesn’t just tackle autism but looks at different types of stigmatised illness. It also looks at many types of relationships and challenges negative relationships. I would highly recommend this book for everyone to read it is such an important and unrepresented subject and it’s rare to fine such a well executed book about females with autism. 5 out of 5 stars

It's the story of Marguerite, a girl who discover she has Aperger's syndrom. It was really good!
The drawings and colors really show how the main character feels. The story was well built and we could understand how all of Marguerite's life was affected. I recommend it to anybody who wants to read something about mental health and is interested in understanding better the Asperger's syndrom.

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!

Marguerite's story of the challenges she faced before, during, and after being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome was clear, insightful, and moving. The artwork is compelling and well-considered. and perfectly accompanies the text of the story. The comprehensive resource list at the end of the book will certainly prove useful to readers who relate to Marguerite or who are reminded of a loved one by her thoughts and behaviors.

I am so glad I chose to read this graphic novel. Living in a country where awareness about mental disorders and illnesses is slim to none and the people (along with psychiatrists and psychologists) are highly biased, this book gave me hope for a better future while evaluating the present. The art style and nuances of this story make it extremely special. It sheds light of how people refuse to tend to the needs of neuroatypicals and other disabled members of the community when it is really not that hard; all for the guise of normalcy.

***mild spoiler*** I also loved the fact that the authors chose to show how neuroatypicals might be more susceptible to sexual harassment because they do not interpret social cues well. Sexual harassment is (abhorrently) extremely common, and because of its taboo nature, it is not discussed enough which makes people with disabilities even more vulnerable.

I am glad that this book has been translated to English, so that readers like me can have the pleasure of reading it and possibly more people can recognise themselves, receive a diagnosis and accurate care. I believe this is a book that should be read by everyone, to create awareness and to understand people better.

Also, I absolutely adored the dedication in this book. It might be my favourite now.

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.)

Invisible Differences is a translated French graphic novel about a neurodiverse woman who struggles in her daily life. The panels and informative text drive the story and do an excellent job of visually showing how high levels of sensory stimulation affect someone with Asbergers. Marguerite struggles with open-plan workspaces and inane small talk and office chatter, misreads social cues, and feels abnormal and mismatched with her lover's need to socialize in large groups and go on holiday. When Marguerite is finally diagnosed properly, she realizes that there is a community of people who can support her needs and she thrives.

This is an excellent resource for those who would like to learn about Asbergers, Autism, and sensory issues without reading a textbook or more formal articles. Granted, if you meet one person with Autism, you've met ONE PERSON with Autism - everyone is unique, but Marguerite's story is a great starting place.

Advanced copy provided by #NetGalley for an honest review. English translation is avaliable in August 2020.

I think books such as this are really important, especially today. Conditions on the autism spectrum are still very stigmatized and those who are on the spectrum still get stereotyped heavily, so information that can be consumed easily is useful to those looking to learn more. It really addresses the anxiety that can be felt, how being misdiagnosed feels and how it feels when those in their lives don't understand or accept their conditions.

I loved the color scheme of black and white with accents of red. Red was used to show things contributing to sensory overload (for lack of a better term) and really showed how overwhelming seemingly small things can be when they pile on. There was also a simplified explanation of spoon theory that would be helpful to people who know nothing about it (something that is not exclusive to those on the spectrum, but also applies to those who have anxiety, chronic illness, invisible illnesses and more).

The back section includes information regarding autism history, facts and a list of resources for more information, which would definitely be helpful to people who wanted to know more.

This book was informative and I hope it reaches a wide audience to raise more awareness of the autism spectrum. It is a lovely story about self-acceptance, the author managed to write the sweetest character and her journey to understanding herself. The illustration of this novel was perfect with the subject and mood of the story.

A wonderful coming illustrating what it means to live with Asperger's and not know you have it and also the liberating feeling of finally discovering that no, you are not a freak or wrong, you have Asperger's and now you can learn how to manage it.
I highly recommend this eye opening and educative little comic. It reads very fast and the illustrations are very, very beautiful.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

This is a story about Marguerite who likes being alone.
Marguerite feels awkward, struggling every day to stay productive at work and keep up appearances with friends. She's sensitive, irritable at times. She makes her environment a fluffy, comforting cocoon, alienating her boyfriend. The everyday noise and stimuli assaults her senses, the constant chatter of her coworkers working her last nerve. Then, when one big fight with her boyfriend finds her frustrated and dejected, Marguerite finally investigates the root of her discomfor: after a journey of tough conversations with her loved ones, doctors, and the internet, she discovers that she has Aspergers. Her life is profoundly changed – for the better.

This graphic novel explores autism and Asperger's syndrome. I appreciated how the themes were dealt with and even though it all comes from the personal experience of the author, I believe this book might be a nice way for people to recognize themselves. It was very nice to see Marguerite come alive after her diagnosis, it was something freeing for her and I loved reading about her standing up for herself and for who she is. I highly recommend this book!

I am so glad I picked up this graphic novel memoir today! The struggles of an adult who has been diagnosed of Asperger's Syndrome are described from a totally different perspective as opposed to what we suppose we know about the syndrome. The misconceptions of the people are many, even from those who you considered the closest to. It can be pretty hurtful and disturbing at times. This memoir has done a great job in describing all these misconceptions, the assumptions, the ignorance of the people in general when it comes to autism and the Asperger's Syndrome. I specifically appreciate the author for giving a lot of emphasis on the means and methods of coming to a proper diagnosis of the condition; and the artist for accurately depicting the behaviour of different people towards these conditions as well as for accurately showing how a person with the condition experiences everyday life situations. It's just amazing!
The illustration just fits the description so well I would say.

I would have liked reading the book much better if the font was different/bigger and the dialogue panels were not too small and crowded here and there.

But I am so impressed with the way the book has been illustrated. It's simple and easy to read. And I would say it's educational without a catch! It's not boring, it's not complicated, it's not overwhelming nor underwhelming. Even a middle grade can read it with ease and understanding.
Overall, this graphic novel memoir is composed really well.

One of the best memoirs!

Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of #InvisibleDifferences