Questions About Holding Up the Universe

by Jennifer Niven (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (27)

What's the big deal about prosopagnosia (the face-blindness)? I have it too (unable to recognize my siblings' faces or even my own) and it's really not a huge problem. Sure, I sometimes don't recognize people, but once I explain they usually get it. It's an annoyance. Broken. Really? Maybe he wasn't born with it...?

J. Toops Hi Emily, this thread isn't current, but I thought I'd chime in. Prosopagnosia can make life difficult when you combine it with other issues that affe…moreHi Emily, this thread isn't current, but I thought I'd chime in. Prosopagnosia can make life difficult when you combine it with other issues that affect social functioning (such as innate introversion). Such as large company meetings, networking if you're in student council or have a job that requires that kind of thing. It is embarrassing at PTA meetings if you're a parent and you've met people for the umpteenth time and they talk to you like they know you and have absolutely no idea what prosopagnosia is (and really don't care to learn). It is scary if you apply it to club/party situations where there is a possibility of assault, but you cannot identify the perpetrator. I've been dealing with this for 45 years, was born with it, and yes, for some people it really is a big deal that affects your family (my husband has been embarrassed and appalled that I couldn't identify him at places), friends (hard to make and retain friends when you can't identify them as they walk towards you at the coffee shop), and employment (most entry-level jobs that aren't data entry are overwhelming and exhausting because you have to recognize repeat customers/clients). After a while, you do feel broken if you do not receive the support and understanding of others around you. "Broken" is a perception, a feeling, that one acquires after negative feedback; sadly, kids and young adults (and adults) are guilty of providing this in bucketfuls.

Hope you are enjoying your other reading!(less)

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Lotte Versteegen

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Let me guess, she becomes the only one that he is able to recognise?

Hamna

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Would you say that this book is appropriate for a 15 year old? Like are there a lot of sexual and inappropriate parts?

Mary i think you'll be ok! i'm 15 and i adore this book (: please just note that it deals with bullying, anxiety, and eating disorders!

libby does have an o…morei think you'll be ok! i'm 15 and i adore this book (: please just note that it deals with bullying, anxiety, and eating disorders!

libby does have an obsession with how a woman had a lot of s3x to loose weight, and libby thought stuff like "maybe i could try that, it might work for me too." but there's nothing graphic. if you do decide to read this book, i hope you enjoy it <3(less)

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Why is Jack embarrassed about the face blindness? He doesn't want to tell anyone, but why? Wouldn't telling people solve everything?

Lua I have face blindness, and I can see why you might think that telling everyone would solve the problem, but trust me - it's not that easy! Just imagin…moreI have face blindness, and I can see why you might think that telling everyone would solve the problem, but trust me - it's not that easy! Just imagine that you have a neurological problem that is going to affect your ability to recognize someone later. Do you really think that every single time you meet someone, you would or should take the time to explain what face blindness is, how it works, why I can recognize some people and not others (which tends to mean that the easily recognizable people stand out in some way like being extra tall or short or fat or just funny-looking - helpful to me but not something they'd necessarily appreciate hearing!) Even when you do tell people, they can forget that you have it because it's a disability that is invisible to them. And when you have met them several times but can't recognize them, they can become frustrated because it just feels to them like you don't care about them, so they can have hurt feelings anyway - or just decide it's not worth the trouble to try to get to know you when it takes extra time and effort. There are lots of worse conditions to have than face-blindness, but still it's hard, especially for people like me who are naturally shy anyway.(less)

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