A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart

Inspired by the author’s own relationship with his autistic son, A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart is a tear-jerking, funny, searingly honest, poignant, uplifting and insightful debut novel about family, friendship and love that tugs at your heart. It makes you understand autism and change your views about autistic people. It is about accepting adult responsibilities, keeping love alive, and coping with everyday parenting.

We meet Alex not at the best moment of his life. He loves his family but he is struggling to connect with his eight-year-old autistic son Sam and he is too stressed out with his job as a mortgage adviser. His marriage to Jody is under so much strain that it is hurtling towards breaking point. Unable to cope with it any further, Jody wants Alex to move out to give both of them some breathing space and time to think through their relationship.

Acceding to Jody’s separation request, Alex moves in with his best friend Dan. As he navigates life as a part-time father and separated from his wife, his life takes a turn for the worst when he loses his job after a corporate merger. He is also tormented by guilt of the grim childhood bereavement of his older brother George.

But as Alex’s life begins to fall apart and his relationship to his family becomes dangerously fractured, his son Sam begins playing Minecraft and the game opens up a whole new world for father and son. The back-to-basics video game becomes the glue that holds the pair together, providing a safe and ordered environment in which Sam can understand the world, work hand-in-hand with his dad, and truly be himself. It’s a world that belongs to the pair and the pair alone: Sam and Daddy’s World.

Realising his son is like “a tourist in our world, a baffled traveller with no idea about local quirks and customs,” he starts to see Sam as a person whose worldview differs from his own, rather than as a problem to be sorted.

A Boy Made Of Blocks is a timely reminder of just how vital quality ‘daddy’ time is, and why sharing special moments with our children matters so much. We are too often caught up in the midst of life’s busyness that it can be hard to take time just to appreciate the here and now, and the pure joy that comes with being a dad, and making a positive influence on another’s life.

Keith Stuart is a journalist and is games editor of The Guardian. One of his two sons is on the autistic spectrum disorder or ASD. From his personal experienc , it was when the family began playing games like Minecraft that creative sharing and communication with his autistic son took a leap. You’ll feel empathy with the characters and may well shed a tear or two.