The Boy Who Went Away

Set in the 1960s during a time of limited understanding of autism, the narrative follows young Denny Graubart as he grapples with unsettling suspicions about his mother and autistic brother. Amidst his own awkward sexual awakening during a sweltering summer, Denny witnesses the family's struggles against societal ignorance regarding autism. The story offers a poignant exploration of childhood dynamics and familial challenges, serving as a vital companion to Gottlieb's later work, Best Boy, which presents the family's story from a different perspective.