by Daniel Tammet

From the New York Times–bestselling author of Born on a Blue Day and Thinking in Numbers, this poignant, perspective-altering book celebrates the power and beauty of the neurodivergent mind, as told through the true stories of nine contemporary men and women on the autism spectrum.

A Japanese researcher in psychology sets out to measure loneliness while drawing on her own experience of autism. A quirky boy growing up in 1950s Ottawa sows the seeds of his future Hollywood stardom. In the US, a nonverbal man explores body language, gesture by eloquent gesture, in his mother’s yoga classes.

Nine Minds delves into the extraordinary lives of nine neurodivergent men and women from around the globe. From a Fields Medal–winning mathematician to a murder detective, a pioneering surgeon to a bestselling novelist, each is remarkable in their field, and each is changing how the world sees those on the spectrum.

Exploding the tired stereotypes of autism, Daniel Tammet—acclaimed author and an autistic savant himself—reaches across the divides of age, gender, sexuality, and nationality to draw out the inner worlds of his subjects. Telling stories as richly diverse as the spectrum itself, this illuminating, life-affirming work of narrative nonfiction celebrates the power and beauty of the neurodivergent mind, and the daring freedom with which these individuals have built their lives.

“Written with insight, generosity, compassion, and narrative energy, Tammet’s exquisite portraits remind us that the variety of brains is every bit as essential as any other form of diversity.”—Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree

“Breaks new ground, turning a novelistic eye to autistic lives as compelling as any in fiction. The result is a book as beautiful as the minds it portrays.”—Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club

“This fascinating book engages by imaginatively entering its subjects’ inner worlds. . . . Readers will discover a spectrum filled with valuable different kinds of minds.”—Temple Grandin, author of The Autistic Brain

“Beautifully rendered, painstakingly researched, and completely absorbing, Nine Minds offers something that autistic people urgently need: It humanizes us.”—Katherine May, author of Wintering

“There are more than nine minds in this book, there are ten: Daniel Tammet’s own mind is there on every page, in the narrative flow, the wordplay, and the empathy for his subjects. Nine Minds reminds us of the diversity within neurodiversity, and of the common challenges that the neurodivergent face. A fine contribution to the growing body of work by and about people who think differently.”—Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project

“Daniel Tammet’s wonderful portraits of autistic people’s inner lives illustrate the range of neurodivergent talents and experiences, and celebrate human cognitive diversity.”—Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre, Cambridge University, and author of The Pattern Seekers

“These stories offer glimpses into parts of the human experience most people never see, yet we are all touched by neurodiversity every day, and we are better for it.”—John Elder Robison, author of Be Different

“Beautiful and intimate and mind-expanding. We generally presume that everyone’s inner life is like our own; only rarely do we get to dive deeply into the mind of another, much less nine of them. Tammet gives us this opportunity with his characteristic eloquence, insight, and grace. Beautifully rendered and completely absorbing.”—David Eagleman, neurologist and bestselling author of Incognito and Livewired

“This book is a meeting of minds, in all their vast capacity, passionate commitments, and varied flavors—a profound act of appreciation of the many unexpected gifts of neurodivergence.”—Emma Donoghue, author of Room, The Wonder, and The Pull of the Stars

“Beautifully written and fascinating, Nine Minds takes us deep into the inner lives of nine extraordinary people. With eloquence and sensitivity, Daniel Tammet transcends stereotypes and shows us different facets of neurodivergence. I loved this book.”—Angie Kim, author of Happiness Falls

“As Daniel Tammet’s short sentences morph and lengthen into a kind of literary portraiture, you may find unique insights into autism and new aspects of our shared humanity.”—Jory Fleming, author of How to Be Human

“[Tammet] celebrates the gifts and talents of autistic people, while exploring the richness of their desires and dreams. . . . It is not that . . . Tammet’s subjects [do] not listen, but that they listen and perceive differently. This is a quietly radical revelation which speaks to the essence of the neurodiversity movement: If there is a deficit in society, then it does not lie in an autistic person’s differences of perception, but in neurotypical assumptions that govern human relations.”—Guardian

“Bursting with feeling and possibility. [Tammet] demolishes the autism myths that originated with medics around 90 years ago and [have since] migrated to the public imagination.”—The Sunday Telegraph

“Eye-opening in showing that those with neurodivergence have excelled far beyond the fields we usually think of.” &mdashThe Mail on Sunday

“Nine Minds is a celebration of autistic talent and depth, but Tammet also writes of ‘defying outdated prejudices.’ It is a sad illustration of their potency that . . . this book should feel so fresh.”—Times Literary Supplement

“Skillfully gives each portrait color and personality so they zip along, with loves, joys, and challenges effortlessly woven together in an engaging but sensitive style.”—New Scientist

“A memoir of outstanding lucidity and charm.”—The Sunday Times

“A charmingly precise, tenderly honest account.”—Daily Express

“Elegantly written.”—Daily Telegraph

“Tammet’s writing is eloquent and moving but always uncomplicated.”—Radio Times

“Remarkable.”—Independent on Sunday

“[Tammet] has done so much to forward our understanding of people on the spectrum.”—The Late Show, BBC Sounds

“[Tammet] is challenging the stereotypes of autism and it’s fascinating.”—Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2