Disconnected: Portrait of a Neurodiverse Marriage

In a late-life romance, Eleanor marries Lars, a brilliant database expert, believing their fairy-tale love will last forever. However, just months later Eleanor finds herself in COVID-19 lock-down with her new husband as he loses his job and pulls away from her with angry outbursts. Day by day their marriage fractures. As Eleanor’s fears about Lars’s autistic profile are heightened, she struggles to understand him and their growing conflict. Even as both partners are diagnosed with cancer, Eleanor fights for what she hopes is possible in their marriage and encourages Lars to do the same—that is until Lars refuses to work with an autism coach to improve their communication and Eleanor must decide whether she will give up her dream of happiness and, if so, how.

Disconnected powerfully portrays the obstacles neurodiverse couples must overcome to keep their love alive. It will resonate with anyone who struggles to grasp how even the closest bonds can break, and then must create a new life.