The UK Autism Foundation has endorsed ‘Gauntlet’ the thriller written by the Canadian author, Richard Aaron. The book was recently launched in London in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster. Richard Aaron met with British autism campaigners Lee Scott MP, Member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health and Patron of UKAF, together with Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation. UKAF hopes to hand over signed copies to Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
Richard Aaron has modelled the hero of his new novel Gauntlet, a techno-thriller, on his own autistic son, now a young adult. The book is a tribute to the special and often unrecognized talents possessed by his son, and Richard hopes it will encourage people to see past autism to the very real abilities that many autistic people have.
Gauntlet, the new techno-thriller from Richard Aaron, published by Glass House Press, introduces the world to autistic savant Hamilton Turbee, a character who embodies both the astounding abilities and tragic misunderstandings of autism. Richard goes one step further and puts a young man with the social condition on the international stage. Turbee proves himself to be the only one capable of tracking the bad guys when he becomes the one with the answers to the questions. His specific brain chemistry and functionality set him up, in the end, as the man who might save the nation.
For the first time, an autistic person plays 007; America’s hero, out to stop the attack in the only way he understands – by being more clever than anyone else.
As father to an autistic child, Richard Aaron writes from personal experience and a longtime study of the condition, making Turbee both realistic and understandable, and giving the world a better idea of the many aspects that go into the disorder. The author has made it his personal mission to inspire his own son, Taylor, and the thousands of autistic children throughout the world, by giving them a role model worth their attention.
On a larger scale, Gauntlet is a very current story about terrorism on American soil, with all the bells and whistles of a great international suspense/techno thriller novel. Aaron has included an added depth with a cast of unique and important characters, working both for and against each other in a mad race against the clock. Conspiracy theories abound, and the bad guys keep the good guys in the dark until the last second.
'I was delighted to meet Richard Aaron in the Palace of Westminster, during his visit to London. I look forward to reading 'Gauntlet.' The main character in his book has autism. Many of us in the House of Commons have been campaigning on the serious issues concerning autism and Asperger's Syndrome. As Patron of the UK Autism Foundation I welcome Richard Aaron's commitment to all people with autism...'
Lee Scott MP
House of Commons
Westminster
' Computer mastermind Hamilton Turbee, the hero in Richard Aaron's book 'Gauntlet' has autism and yet he was given the chance to fulfil his potential. I found 'Gauntlet' absolutely riveting - it is such a good read and a fiction masterpiece. 'Gauntlet' is a huge plus for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome around the world - they all have potential....'
Ivan Corea
UK Autism Foundation
