This is a review of the New Millennium Edition of this book specifically in regards to how it was changed from the original edition. I don't think the NMEs are listed separately on goodreads so hopefully I'm putting this in the right place.A Wizard Alone was originally published in 2002 when knowledge about autism was different from what it is now and the movement for autistic self-advocacy was far less visible. I think the first version of the book was trying to be respectful towards autistic people, but reading it now it's pretty awful, showing a misunderstanding of what autism is and a magical cure at the end. However, I am very pleased with the new revision of the story. The whole plot regarding Darryl's autism has been reworked heavily going from something offensive, into what I think is one of the best representations of an autistic character in YA fiction ever.To avoid heavy spoilers i won't go into too much detail regarding the changes that were made but it's clear that the author put a lot of effort into showing autism respectfully. For example, in the scene where Kit first learns that Darryl is autistic, he goes off and researches autism online... the new edition says Kit read a lot of blogs by autistic people and their families. At the end, the scene where Darryl defeats the Lone Power in a way that magically cures his autism has been changed; it doesn't get cured and instead Darryl asserts that he wouldn't want to change his autism because it's part of who he is.I think you could still make criticisms of the representation of autistics in this book, though, namely that Darryl is an abdal. This means he is basically, a magical conduit of goodness/innocence into the world. That kind of plays into stereotypes about autistic people being innocent and saintly. At the same time, Diane Duane was working from a pre-existing story and Darryl having this power is too important in the mythology of the series to change it so drastically, so i really don't think there's anything that could have been done better. All in all, the new edition of this book is honestly one of the best depictions of an autistic character in mainstream fiction I can think of, and I think it was really good of Diane Duane to recognize that her past work had problems and to revise it in this way.As for other aspects of the book... When I was a kid this was my least favorite of the Young Wizards books, and it had nothing to do with the autism stuff that I didn't understand then, I just didn't find the plot to be as interesting as the others. I still agree with that -- everything about Darryl's Ordeal is a good read, but it doesn't stand out to me or have as much emotional depths the same way some of the other books in the series do. That would be why I give this four stars instead of five. However i still definitely recommend it to anyone who's read previous books in the series and I especially recommend the new edition to anyone who found the original version offensive.
It's been a few months since the events in the last book, and Nita's still not fully recovered. I mean, when you've been through what she has, who could blame her?Kit certainly doesn't. But life must go on, and a wizard's work is never done. Kit's been asked by Tom and Carl if he can look into another wizard's Ordeal. Normally it's not wise to interfere with the initial test, but Darryl's case is far from normal.First off, he's been on Ordeal for over three months now. Usually combating the Lone Power is either won or lost in a matter of days. What in the world could be taking three months to accomplish?But Kit soon finds that Darryl's problem doesn't necessarily lie in this world, and the world it does reside in, one shaped and twisted by autism, isn't easily traversed alone. And if he's not careful, he might just end up trapped there. Alone.I found this one a little less compelling than the last, if only because there was more of a mystery about things rather than a straight-forward action-packed mission. Nita and Kit are both unsure of themselves, of what they're doing and then how to do it. There's a lot of probing and research involved rather than running in with guns blazing, which is understandable.Kit takes the forefront of the plot this time around. With he and Nita again being split up for the majority of the time, the divided narration is a useful tool. Kit provides the majority of the action (though, it's more of a hunt than a chase), while Nita takes the more subtle inner feelings side of things. Of course, as the plot speeds up, both characters have their fair share of action.Complexity-wise, the story and techobabble aren't very hard at all. The most complex idea has to be autism, which is presented and described in a way that's extremely easy to grasp. We're shown how Darryl thinks, how he processes things, what life is like to him, but at the same time we're given some facts about it so that we understand not to generalize the condition. In a field with so many questions and not very many answers, this book handles the subject with tact and respect, while interweaving creativity and art.Ultimately, this book may not be the speediest roller coaster of the series, but it's certainly a compelling ride. Action-wise, it does drag, but your interest is more focused on the characters and the mysteries they try to work through. And even though the setting for the books is fantasy, what continually sets them apart is that the characters realistically work through a lot of real life issues. It's comforting, in a way, to learn that there's no magic spell for mending a bruised pride or a broken heart. It puts us on common ground with these heroes. And if we're alike in that way, what else might we be capable of?Approximate Reading Time: 4.5 hours
What do You think about A Wizard Alone (2003)?
I enjoyed this book much more than I did the fifth book in the series, which I thought was kind of plodding at times. That said, this doesn't really capture the magic and the detailed worldbuilding of the first few books. What I loved about those books was her blending of magic with scientific principles and the loving way she detailed ecosystems and physics and made them fascinating to a very non-science-minded reader like myself. I feel like she didn't continue with that in these latter books, focusing more on alternate worlds (something I feel like I can get in a lot of other fantasy novels).However, I do love the way the characters have been visibly growing up throughout this series. Nita and Kit have to deal with magic and saving the world, but they also have to deal with families and death and everything that real teenagers go through, also, and I think Duane captures that perfectly.I don't want to risk spoilers for those who haven't read this or the earlier books in the series, but this book is worth reading alone for any scene with Ponch in it.
—Rhiannon
So interesting and so disappointing at the same time. Duane continues to find intriguing twists and challenging issues to add to this magical series; in this case, Nita is grappling with depression and grief after (view spoiler)[ her mother's death (hide spoiler)]
—Jillian
I would really like to see the revision on this book, because I have a kinda on-the-fence feeling about it. My cousin Wyatt is ten years old and autistic, so although I can relate to some of Daryll's actions and some of the descriptions of his world, I am not quite sure if this depiction is a fair way to go or not. It is good that the author comments that not all people experience it the same, I feel that she came at the subject with good intentions but left it with somewhat misleading ideas for her readers. As far as the rest of the story goes, the depictions of depression, in my experience, are spot-on. I know what it is like to have to worry for members of your family, and I really felt for Nita in this book. I adore the passages with Kit and his family, so it is great to finally see that dynamic a bit more for his character. Oh, and that happy little spin at the end? Cutest thing ever. Squealed in my car in the library parking lot.
—Kit
