Life, Animated Book Summary

In 'Life, Animated,' Ron Suskind shares a deeply personal journey of parenting his son Owen, who was diagnosed with autism. Struggling to connect with Owen, Ron discovers the power of Disney movies as a unique bridge between their worlds. Through the lens of animated storytelling, Owen learns to navigate his emotions and embrace his identity. This touching narrative explores the challenges of autism, the strength of family bonds, and the transformative magic of animated films. 'Life, Animated' invites readers to witness how hope and creativity can illuminate the darkest paths.

By Ron Suskind

Published: 2016

"We have a choice to make in every moment: to follow the script of our lives or to write our own story, finding the meaning hidden in the spaces between."

Book Review of Life, Animated

Imagine being trapped inside a Disney movie and having to learn about life mostly from animated characters dancing across a screen of color. A fantasy? A nightmare? This is the real-life story of Owen Suskind, the son of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind and his wife, Cornelia. An autistic boy who couldn't speak for years, Owen memorized dozens of Disney movies, turned them into a language to express love and loss, kinship, brotherhood.The family was forced to become animated characters, communicating with him in Disney dialogue and song; until they all emerge, together, revealing how, in darkness, we all literally need stories to survive.

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We have a choice to make in every moment: to follow the script of our lives or to write our own story, finding the meaning hidden in the spaces between.

Life, Animated

By Ron Suskind