I know this is probably a common topic. For me, I’m not sure if it’s a “trope” or just totally misinformed writing, but it’s how many authors approach alcoholism. Some examples are Girl on the Train and The House Across the Lake, among HUNDREDS. If anyone else here has struggled with alcoholism, you know it’s not just "i woke up after downing an entire bottle of whiskey but was able to shower, down a cup of coffee, and solve a murder. "

  • Blametheorangejuice@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    For about three or four years, I wrote book reviews for a mid-level newspaper. This was around 5 or 6 years ago, so I hope things have improved…but the number of authors who had autistic characters that were woefully fleshed out was truly disturbing. Like, they would say: this character is autistic, so of course all of their clues are in code! Or, this character is autistic, so of course they know everything about ancient Egypt … and the murder down the road! If only we could convince the character to act like he is in ancient Egypt, he can help us solve the mystery!

    It really was quite repulsive over time. This was almost exclusively in the thriller genre.

    • PocketPo@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I read a mystery a few months ago where the detective was autistic. It was actually quite interesting, because you can see the areas where his autism helped him focus, but also where it limited his abilities. Near the end of the book, there’s a big scene with the bad guy, but the bad guy gets away for the time being because of some sensory issues. Anyway, it’s nice that it wasn’t all super convenient that he just happened to know about codes or Egypt or whatever.

    • Zairapham@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Community had an amazing scene where they mocked this trope.

      “I see a man. Using a social disorder as a procedural device. Wait, wait, wait. Mildly autistic super detectives everywhere. Basic cable. Broadcast networks. Pain. Painful writing. It hurts.”

    • KlutchFord@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Many autistic kids do turn out to be a savant in some aspect. That actually does happen a ton. Kind of like god making up for their daily struggles. I like interacting with people that have autism

      • CrazyCoKids@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        But many aren’t. This expectation has and still is causing damage. It isn’t enough to simply have an interest in something, it needs to be something exploitable. And you have to outperform everyone else who is into that.