Daniel Isn't Talking: A Novel

Book Description

Marti Leimbach’s first novel, Dying Young, was called “a masterpiece of details that always ring true, with the sad, funny and fascinating unpredictability of real life.” With the same talent and perception, Leimbach’s new novel takes the reader to London, to the home of the Marshes: Stephen Marsh, a true Brit; Melanie, a transplanted American; and their two children, four-year-old Emily and Daniel, just three. When it is conveyed that Daniel is autistic, the orderly life of the Marsh family is shattered.

Melanie is determined to fight to teach Daniel to speak, play and become as “normal” as possible. Her enchanting disposition has already helped her weather other of life’s storms, but Daniel’s autism may just push her over the brink, destroying her resolute optimism and bringing her unsteady marriage to an inglorious end. The situation is not helped by Stephen’s far-from-supportive parents, who proudly display the family tree with Melanie’s name barely penciled in, and who remain disconcertingly attached to Stephen’s ex-fiancée, a woman apparently intent on restaking her claim on Stephen. Melanie does have one strong ally in Andy, a talented and off-the-wall play therapist who specializes in teaching autistic children. Andy proves that Daniel is far more capable than anyone imagined, and Melanie finds herself drawn to him even as she staggers toward resolving her marriage.

Daniel Isn’t Talking is a moving, deeply absorbing story of a family in crisis. What sets it apart from most fiction about difficult subjects is the author’s ability to write about a sad and frightening situation with a seamless blend of warmth, compassion and humor.

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Advance Praise for Daniel Isn’t Talking

“I was riveted, engrossed — all those wonderful things one hopes for when opening a book. Marti Leimbach's portrayal of a mother facing unbelievable hardships is very real and gripping."
— Anita Shreve, author of The Pilot’s Wife and The Weight of Water

“Any parent will recognize the combustion of love and anxiety that fuels Marti Leimbach’s vivid new novel. Daniel Isn’t Talking is an affecting study of parental devotion.”
— Jennifer Egan, author of Look at Me

“Powerful, moving and also surprisingly funny. A love story in every sense.”
— Deborah Moggach, author of Tulip Fever

“A terrific book, informed passionate and touching. Leimbach handles the problem of the autistic child beautifully and I was thoroughly engrossed until the last page.”
— Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat

“Leimbach writes with a shrewd, dry-eyed, perceptively acquisitive energy. . . .”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Dying Young is a masterpiece of details that always rings true, with the sad, funny and fascinating unpredictability of real life.”
— People magazine


From the Hardcover edition.