Looking After

A beautiful, bracing gem of a book, quite unlike any other family memoir I’ve ever read. Candid and tender in equal measure, incredibly moving but also lucid and life affirming, this is such an important book about familial love, about where and how it meets the imperfect world outside. Gripping too. Even though technically one knows from the outset what is going to happen, I found it hard to put down. By the closing pages, I felt I had grown to love Lionel too and that I would never forget him. Looking After is a triumph.

Polly Morland, author of A FORTUNATE WOMAN

Beautifully written, erudite and important, Dr Caroline Elton writes as a psychologist second, sister first - which is exactly right. Looking After is a love letter to an autistic brother and to family itself, and a reminder of the power of empathy to save lives.

Christie Watson, author of MORAL INJURIES

A sister’s loving tribute and a powerful call for compassionate change

Leah Hazard, author of HARD PUSHED

A book that deserves a wide readership. Lionel’s story sucked me in straight away, and held me captive to the very last page. Wise, compassionate and compellingly told

Monica Ali

A powerful and unusual book that pays tribute to her brother

Glenda Cooper, The Daily Mail

This book shows just how profoundly challenging our world still is for autistic people and their families ... Elton explores [Lionel's life] with warmth and the lightest of touches. Looking After is never dry — Lionel’s glorious, messy, infuriating humanity comes first.

Alice O'Keeffe, The TImes

A vitally important addition to the tiny corpus of literature about autistic adults, and a tender, often moving portrait of a beloved sibling.

Times Literary Supplement