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Preview
  • Illuminated

  • Autism & All the Things I’ve Left Unsaid
  • By: Melanie Sykes
  • Narrated by: Melanie Sykes
  • Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (63 ratings)

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Illuminated

By: Melanie Sykes
Narrated by: Melanie Sykes
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Summary

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
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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

What listeners say about Illuminated

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  • Overall
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Enjoyable

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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Honest and raw

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

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my own feelings

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

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Inspiring read

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

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Loved this book

loved listening to this book about Melanie's life story. She is very relatable as a person

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

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

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Honest and powerful

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.

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So brave, truthful and inspiring

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!

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Highly recommended

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, especially as I was also diagnosed as having Autism later in life, age 50. Thank you Melanie for being so open and honest about your life.

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Excellent

Loved it! Thank you for sharing your story…I drew so many parallels and strength from listening to you.

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