Myomancy ADHD, Dyslexia and Autism

With the Light. Vol. 1: Raising an Autistic Child

Keiko Tobe

$4.13 via Amazon

“As a parent myself of a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) I’m naturally curious about any kind of material dealing with autism. I’m also a big fan of Japanese manga and all of the cute characters and wonderful stories that can be found in this genre. As such, I was quite delighted to discover this work by Keiko Tobe in my local bookstore and after a quick read of the jacket and scan of the artwork, I knew that I would not set With the Light back on the shelf and leave without it.

“Sachiko Azuma is a new mom whose first baby has just been born at sunrise and gives him the name Hikaru which literally means “light” in Japanese. Sadly, the joy of her new motherhood is rather shortlived at first. Hikaru turns out to be quite different from the other babies in Sachiko’s small mother’s group. He cries all the time and dislikes being held closely and not knowing about the autism yet, Sachiko starts to take it personally and becomes very distressed. Her workaholic husband Masato isn’t very supportive either and is always complaining that what little sleep he gets is disturbed by Hikaru’s crying in the night. All of Sachiko’s idealistic dreams of motherhood and family come crashing down around her. She even starts to receive derision from her mother’s group and her in-laws, Masato’s family. Sachiko actually begins to accept their false accusations and blames herself for Hikaru’s dreadful behaviors and she becomes very depressed.” - Amazon Review from Nurse Washu (South Burlington, VT United States)

People who have brought this book wrote:

"The day you were born...the morning sun was very beautiful." WITH THE LIGHT begins like a love letter from a mother to a child, and in a way, it is, although a fictional one. More than that, though, it is an in-depth analysis of a young mother discovering that her son, who came into the world at the first light of day, is different from the other children she knows. He doesn't talk. He cries often, and for hours on end. He doesn't like to be touched or held. He is difficult to understand and relate to.

Gently, and with the aching slowness of gradual realization, Sachiko comes to understand that her son, Hikaru, is autistic. With no understanding of the condition, she struggles to come to terms with what it means and what she can do about it, while her hard-working husband, Masato, pulls away and immerses himself in his career.

WITH THE LIGHT takes all of its principal characters on a long journey of self-discovery. Sachiko longs to understand the way her son's mind works.

The innocence and the tenderness of the scene in which Hikaru finally acknowledges his mother and, in his own fashion, expresses his love is heartbreaking. The ability of the book to convey the complexities of human emotions without getting sentimental or overwrought might be its most admirable quality. Author and illustrator Keiko Tobe at first treats her story almost with the allure of a mystery. Sachiko is driven and determined to unlock the secret behind her son's aloofness, while her husband and his family separate themselves, and even blame Sachiko.

All of which is not to say that WITH THE LIGHT doesn't have its tender moments. It does, but it earns each one of them without toying with the reader's emotions. When Masato struggles with his anger and stress of his son's autism and lashes out at his wife, it's not the cloying stereotype of an uncaring man with no time for his children. Instead, it's all too apparent that this is a man too young to be both an effective father and the star employee his bosses --- not to mention his family and society --- want him to be.

These two volumes run an expansive tale totaling over 1,000 pages, including resource material to help the reader along. A convenient guide to manga helps those who aren't familiar with its style (the book is read right to left; it's surprising how easy it is to adapt to it once you get started), and the editors of this English translation include brief descriptions of elements of Japanese and manga culture to avoid confusion and enhance the reader's understanding. Also included are supplementary materials on autism and translation notes.

WITH THE LIGHT is fascinating to watch unfold. Its broad scope spans years in the lives of this couple and their son, covering not only his development but the relationship he has with his sister, who comes into the family years after her brother. Teachers, doctors, friends and family all play a role, too --- sometimes in a negative, judgmental way, and sometimes with a heartwarming spirit of compassion --- as Sachiko and Masato learn to cope, live and move on. That's the brightness of these two graphic novels and the triumphant nature of its storytelling.

--- Reviewed by John Hogan

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