Mozart and the Whale - by Jerry Newport & Mary Newport (Paperback)

About the Book

This riveting and inspiring memoir is penned by a couple who fell in love, fell apart, and finally overcame the pressures of fame, family, and Asperger's Syndrome to build a life together.

Book Synopsis

An unforgettable love story and the incredible chronicle of a musical genius and a mathematical prodigy who share a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome.

When Jerry and Mary Newport met, the connection was instant. A musical genius and a mathematical wonder, the two shared astronomic IQs, but they also shared something else--they both were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism that affects millions of Americans and makes social contact painfully unbearable. When Jerry and Mary married, they were catapulted into the limelight. They appeared on 60 Minutes and soon were known as "superstars in the world of autism," shining examples of two people who refused to give up in the face of their mutual challenge.

But just when it appeared that their lives would enjoy a fairy-tale ending, their marriage fell apart. The Hollywood feeding frenzy was too much to handle, and they divorced. After heartbreaking years of soul searching, Jerry and Mary remarried. Today, with their union stronger than ever, they have dedicated themselves to helping countless other people with Asperger's and autism lead lives of dignity.

Review Quotes

"A fantastic voyage into two different kinds of minds. Absolutely riveting." -- Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation

"Readers will be touched and inspired by this book that proves that against all odds, love does occasionally triumph over all." -- Tucson Citizen

About the Author

Jerry Newport is an activist and the author of two widely read books in the Asperger's community: Asperger's and Sexuality: Puberty and Beyond (with Mary Newport) and Your Life Is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. In addition to coordinating several Asperger's support groups in Arizona, Jerry serves as a speaker on a variety of topics, from Asperger's-specific concerns to broader issues such as bullying and depression.

Mary Newport is completing her bachelor's degrees in music and psychology. She and Jerry live in northern Arizona with their birds.

Johnny Dodd has been a writer at People magazine for a decade and has reported on some of pop culture's biggest stories. His work has appeared in dozens of magazines, but stories of personal triumph -- those of others and his own -- are his favorite beat. He lives in Santa Monica, California.