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Illuminated

Autism & All the Things I’ve Left Unsaid

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Illuminated

By: Melanie Sykes
Narrated by: Melanie Sykes
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About this listen

All the things I left unsaid…

Melanie Sykes has been a face on our screens, a voice on our radios for nearly thirty years. As a presenter and broadcaster people turned to her for her humour, her honesty and insight. But between all the interviews and chat shows, is a life unseen, a story unsaid.

Her journey – from up north to down south, from Manchester to LA and via London, Paris and India, and through the eye of the storm of celebrity culture is a rollercoaster ride. Sex, drugs and rock and roll, certainly, but also brass bands and ice cream vans, broken hearts and healing adventures – a search not for fame but for freedom.

Her autism diagnosis in midlife has supercharged that journey – and means this isn’t a story just of breakdown, but of breakthrough. Funny, furious and gloriously frank, this is a book that lifts the lid on being a woman in the media, navigating relationships, and being a neurodivergent person speaking up in a neurotypical world. Illuminated is Melanie, in her own inimitable voice.

©2023 Melanie Sykes (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Divorce & Separation Entertainment & Celebrities Relationships Celebrity Heartfelt Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

‘Wonderful … a life worth telling’ Graham Norton

‘An amazing book … a fantastic read … brave, breathless and fun’ Chris Evans
All stars
Most relevant  
I really enjoyed listening to your story Melanie. I’m always interested in journeys of self discovery.
I would love to hear more about your journey as a late diagnosed autistic woman and I hope you have plans to explore this more in depth, perhaps a second book could be in the pipeline?! Best wishes to you.

Enjoyable

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Delivered by the author, very honest and raw. A painful listen at times but even more reason to lean in.

Honest and raw

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I loved all of it, much love to Melanie, as a woman on the waiting list for possible ADHD it was very relatable and inspiring

Inspiring read

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amazing someone who gets me and. understands how difficult people can be when having adhdand autism

my own feelings

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Melanie, thank you for sharing your story. So many elements resonate with me. I have now known for 3 months of a diagnosis that has connected so many elements of my life, met with joy but became depression. Learning who I am.

The way you have written this with such honesty, respect and power to you x

I sort this book out after being diagnosed with autism at 47

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As some who just started their autism discovery journey at 31, this book meant everything to me.
Melanie's journey and experiences spoke to me on a deep level, and I can only aspire to get close to the level self-acceptance and peace she has achieved through her research and practices, what a strong and wise woman.

Honest and powerful

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such a brave and open book. I personally found it helpful and inspiring in my own life, especially in the last chapter about 'you can be reborn'. thank you Melanie for being so honest and open!

So brave, truthful and inspiring

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I had already begun the process of a diagnosis for autism and this book illustrated how many traits I have.
Melanie Sykes was not someone who was ever on my radar but it was fascinating to read about her life and spiritual journey as well as understand how her autism had affected her

Emotional and relatable

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Melanie's book is certain to provoke introspection and evoke a deep understanding and admiration for her personal odyssey. And, what an odyssey. How she kept going given all the trauma and abuse she has endured and the way she has managed to find a path to gratitude is truly inspirational.
The fact that it is legal for the media engine to profit from abuse and harassment and the individual who is harassed has no recourse makes my blood boil. Surely there must be a way to break the cycle?

Intelligent, brutally honest and heart wrenching what a profoundly brave book

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Not relevant to the title . It didnt focus on autism until the last few chapters

Very repetitive

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