Nothing Special

The Mostly True, Sometimes Funny Tales of Two Sisters

By: Dianne Bilyak

Narrated by: Dianne Bilyak

A late bloomer’s coming-of-age memoir asks how does one accept and free themselves from visible and invisible disabilities and still retain their sense of connection and humor? Nothing Special is a disarmingly candid tale of two sisters growing up in the 1970s in rural Connecticut. Older sister Chris, who has Down syndrome, is an extrovert, while the author, her younger, typically developing sister, shoulders the burdens and grief of her parents. In Nothing Special, Bilyak offers vignettes that range from heartrending to laugh-out-loud funny as well as a real-world picture of fighting for her own life, finding a place in her family, and strengthening the relationship with her sister.

©2021 Wesleyan University Press (P)2022 Wesleyan University Press

Critic reviews

"Bilyak's Nothing Special is, despite its witty title, something special. [S]he takes us on a wild ride with her charismatic sister, the unflappable, self-avowed and completely uncowed Dr. Irma King, who just happens to have Down syndrome." —Dorion Sagan

"With charming specificity and hilarity, Bilyak writes frankly about her own identity, and that of her sister's. Through honest self-reflection and observation, Bilyak hits home something that we so badly need to hear right now: that people with disabilities are not a monolith, and that there is no perfect way to love or be loved by them." ―Bekah Brunstetter

"Dianne Bilyak's Nothing Special is wonderfully fulfilling and accessible―you feel like you're reading this incredibly honest diary about the complexities of family that's so relatable!" ―Brian Donovan

A funny, touching and thought-provoking memoir

I loved this audiobook. To me it's more of a late-bloomer coming of age story-- I really related to the author's journey toward discovering who she is an how she fits into her family. The details of my life aren't similar to Bilyak's but the internal struggle felt really familiar. So many of these memoirs end with some external event that forces the self-discovery but this one is earned throughout the book, and is so satisfying. Oh, and it's hilarious. It's David Sedaris type humor - the slumber party chapter alone is worth reading the whole book. I love that the author does the audio. Her comic timing is excellent and in the more reflective passages you can really feel the depth of her connection to herself and her sister. I just can’t say enough good things about Nothing Special!

As a parent of a son with ID…..

I could wholeheartedly relate to the worries and the many joys of having a family member with intellectual disabilities. They are so vulnerable and the constant advocacy for their safety and happiness is so accurately depicted in this book. The gift these family members give back to parents and caring siblings, is the gift of making us better people.