Review: A Kind Of Spark by Elle McNicholl
This is a double review because after I read the book, it was made into a series for the BBC. I devoured that on iPlayer too!
A few years ago, I spotted the book in the library and immediately had to borrow it. The story itself is aimed towards children but as an autistic woman with two neurodivergent daughters, I couldn’t resist. I read it in two days and loved how well Elle represents us in her characters. You can absolutely tell that each of them has been carefully curated and created by a neurodivergent author. Only someone who has lived this life could depict it with such careful nuance and attention to detail. Most poignantly (and more often overlooked) is the bullying we face growing up, not just from our peers but from adults in authority. It was tough to read at times, when Addie (the main character) was picked on and singled out by her teacher but this was a crucial part of the story line and true representation on the lived experience of autistic young people. My heart ached for my daughters, knowing they had experienced similar, and for my younger self. Within that, there was also a comfort of knowing we aren’t alone.
It was a breath of fresh air to read a book with a young autistic girl as the main character. We all know that female representation is somewhat lagging behind the mainstream autistic characters that are, more often than not, men and boys. What was particularly special was Addie’s battle and growth as the story progressed with her mission to honour the forgotten women of the barbaric witch trials in Scotland centuries before her. Her empathy and sense of justice shone through as her strength (which many of us can relate to). I have always felt a strong affinity to historic ‘witches’. In part because if I was born then, I probably would have been ostracised for being different or accused of being a witch for not conforming. Addie fought for them to be acknowledged and recognised, even when no-one else seemed to care.
Throughout the book Elle McNicholl manages to capture so many aspects of how it is to live this life, from feeling different, challenges, sensory overwhelm, friendships and bullying to overcoming adversity, standing up to what you believe in and ultimately being accepted for your true self. What a gift.
A series of wonder and witches
When I first read A Kind Of Spark, my youngest daughter was possibly a little too young to read it and also recovering from school based trauma and extreme anxiety herself. However, a year later the series came out and we (binge!) watched it together. My heart cracked right open watching her watching girls just like her on screen. She was totally hooked, pointing out the similarities and generally in awe of feeling understood. We were deep into our Home Education life by now and she had so much curiosity about the witches. This ended up a special interest as we discussed the historic accused women. The midwives, the creative thinkers and non-conformists. We talked at length about herbal remedies that women of those times would concoct and in true home education style, we went on to research the healing properties of plants. Harvested our lawn of all its daisies and had a chemistry afternoon in the kitchen, batch cooking healing balms for scratches and bruises. My daughter sat outside our house in our village and sold little balms. A neighbour then brought her bundles and bundles of lavender from their garden, which led to a new cook up of soothing lip balms. She was so invested in learning all about the power of plants and that stemmed from one story, the story of Addie and embracing who she is and what is important to her.
Bonnie and the Bookshop
Series two drops and brings with it more in-depth displays of navigating social dynamics as an autistic girl. This second instalment introduces a new character Bonnie, who is also autistic and has ADHD. My daughter’s face lit up when she realised this because she (and I) also have ADHD. Bonnie’s character portrays the complexity of impulsivity, rejection sensitivity and difficulties of living with a parent who doesn’t fully understand (or maybe even accept) her neurodivergence. The story line revolves around a mystery in a bookshop, which warms my AuDHD soul. I can’t speak for all autistic people but I have found so much solace in books growing up and as an adult, it just works that this becomes a safe space in the show too.
50% Neurodivergent Cast and Crew
The actress Ella May Purvis who plays Bonnie is herself actually autistic and ADHD. After I read this fact, of course I did a deep dive research and was overjoyed to learn that the key characters, Addie and Keedie are both played by neurodivergent actors and in fact Nina the neurotypical twin was also played by a neurodivergent actor. Elle McNicholl is frankly a legend for having the production so authentic and true to our lives. This was only possible because of her writing, the casting and the crew. She even managed to fell the trope of autism and ADHD being a trendy, modern or fashionable thing. The link with the historic witches amplifies that we’ve been here forever. The difference is now we are slowly being given space and our voices. There is still a way to go for full understanding and acceptance but books and shows like A Kind Of Spark are a game changing leap forward for a better future for us all.
Have you read A Kind Of Spark? Planning to borrow a copy from your local library or purchase from your local bookshop? Let us know in the comments below!
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