Madeleine Ryan is an Australian writer, director and author. Her articles and essays have appeared in SBS, The Daily Telegraph, The Sydney Morning Herald, Vice, Bustle, Lenny Letter, and the New York Times, and she is currently working on the screen adaptation of A Room Called Earth. Madeleine lives in rural Victoria.
"Twenty-four sparkling hours in the life of a neurodiverse woman on
a night out to a party." -The Millions
"[A] novel that beautifully shatters myths and stereotypes about
people considered neurodiverse while celebrating their differing
perspectives on life." -Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Debut novelist Madeleine Ryan is also on the autism spectrum, and
it is an absolute joy to read about this night through her eyes -
where the protagonist's thoughts can't always match her actions,
and where connection is all that matters. A Room Called
Earth's greatest strengths are its simplicity and
honesty."-Bitch Magazine
"In the vein of Virginia Woolf, the narrator's incisive commentary
pierces through descriptions of quotidian affairs...A Room
Called Earth, written by a neurologically diverse author,
culminates in unexpected intimacy, not only between the narrator
and her new friend but also between the reader and an extraordinary
mind." -BookPage
"Ryan's novel covers less than 24 hours, but by book's end, readers
are left feeling remarkably bonded with this fiercely independent
young woman . . . Her sharp, unfiltered thoughts-compellingly
presented by Australian director and debut novelist Ryan, who
herself is #OwnVoices neurodiverse-never seem to pause as she skips
between describing her present and divulging her past, meticulously
processing her actions, and regarding herself and others from
unexpected perspectives . . . Her piercing insight is relentless."
-Booklist
"Though Ryan, who is autistic, never explicitly labels her narrator
autistic or neuroatypical, much of the novel's appeal comes from
its illustration and examination of the narrator's blunt
perspective on life and specifically social interaction . . . the
narrator's voice and perspective are beguiling . . . Ryan's ability
to convey her narrator's unique perspective makes it a worthwhile
read." -Kirkus
"[V]ibrant and revealing. Ryan succeeds in capturing neurodiversity
on the page." -Publishers Weekly
"In prose filled with humor and warm light, Madeleine Ryan unearths
the bright, luminous soul of each animate and inanimate being she
encounters. Instead, remarkably, it is the self shaped by and
against social norms that is met as an other. The result is an
intelligence that feels not only totally refreshing and original
but wonderfully humane." -Meng Jin, author of Little Gods
"A Room Called Earth offers a strikingly unique look at
intimacy, identity, and time itself. From now on I want every novel
to be this fiercely authentic, this assured, this untethered from
the status quo. Madeleine Ryan is a wholly original writer; this
debut announces a tremendous talent." -Kimberly King Parsons,
National Book Award-nominated author of Black Light
"A resolute deep dive into an inner self, a transcendent character
study, and a timely reminder that there's an entire universe inside
of everyone we meet. You will be moved." -Matthew Quick, New
York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings
Playbook
"The narrator's voice is astute, clear and strong as the vodka she
likes, as luminous as sparkling stars. Madeleine Ryan has created a
marvelous woman and a joyous story." -Shelf
Awareness
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
