John Harris Maybe I'm Amazed : A Story of Love & Connection in Ten Songs: A Multicolor

A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEKBRILLIANT ADRIAN CHILESTHIS BOOK CONTAINS MAGIC CAITLIN MORANENTRANCING, HEARTBREAKING, UPLIFTING MARINA HYDEIn this extraordinary memoir, a father tells the story of how music has opened up the world to his son, one song at a time. Obsessed with music since he was a child, John Harris had no idea that he was in fact preparing himself for the greatest challenge of his life. But so it transpired. When his son James was born, and three years later diagnosed with autism, music became a source of precious connection and endless wonder for both of them. Maybe Im Amazed describes how the music of The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Funkadelic, The Velvet Underground, Amy Winehouse and many more were soon woven into the fabric of Jamess life, becoming an essential part of who he is. It takes us through the struggles of raising an autistic child in a prejudiced world, and uncovers a hidden history of neurodivergence and creativity that casts new light on why notes, chords and lyrics speak so powerfully to the human mind. Anyone who has fallen in love with a band or heard their life reflected back to them by a song will recognise themselves in the story of this father and his son. And in considering the intense and transcendent way James absorbs and connects with music, it has lessons in listening and living for us all. John Harris Maybe I'm Amazed : A Story of Love & Connection in Ten Songs: A