The emerging trend of ownvoices novels is an incredibly important movement in the literary landscape. Narratives have a clear and proven power to build empathy and break down stigmatisation by offering insight into how people all too often categorised as ‘other’ struggle, live, and love. In the intimate first-person narration of the eponymous Peta, the reader is given access to the way her mind works that means the reader understands how her neurodivergence affects her mind and body.
At its very core, the story is a very standard romance – the protagonist (Peta) meets someone they’re interested in (Sam), there’s chemistry. Things progress, and then we hit the ‘problem’. It follows a basic Cinderella storyline which is totally fine because we as humans love a Cinderella storyline. Of course, Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal adds some new elements into the mix by providing a queer love story and a neurodivergent main character and narrator.
Peta has ASD, ADHD, and SPD (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder, respectively), which affect basically every aspect of her life. The interaction of the various conditions requires medication and a careful management of her schedule and lifestyle (the SPD in particular is nasty, making certain sensations almost unbearable). She is immediately attracted to the new girl at school, Sam, but Sam has her own demons and as their relationship develops, Peta learns that the ‘rules’ she’s learned to help her navigate ‘normalcy’ aren’t always able to be relied upon to perfectly guide her through every situation.
The depiction of a female character who has ASD is particularly important as it offers a counternarrative to the overwhelmingly male mainstream portrayal of people on the spectrum. Currently, the overwhelming explanation for this is because girls learn social ‘rules’ from a younger age that mask many of the stereotypical symptoms, so gently shedding light on the fact that yes – girls can be autistic as well, is an important part of moving conversations and normalisations forward. However, it’s important to note that ASD affects everybody differently. While Peta is a highly intelligent character, that isn’t a standard truth for people with ASD. It’s tricky to be overly critical of this, because it is, after all, an ownvoices novel, so it presumably draws from Whateley’s specific experience, but space could have been made to throw in even one line about the diversity of experiences that are experienced by people with ASD which aren’t always ‘offset’ by a compensatory factor such as high intelligence.
The first half of the book is totally engrossing; Whateley deftly outlines an interesting set up and premise, with compelling characters. There’s an added dimension to the story by depicting Peta’s relationship with her parents and other people across her past. The flashbacks were well done – they weren’t too long but they elegantly made a point about what happens to people who are different when they aren’t born into a family with enough wealth, education, or frankly, willingness to accommodate that different set of requirements. It’s a point that isn’t rubbed in the face of the reader but is one that can’t be avoided – people who have less money always face more difficulty when they have conditions such as Peta’s.
The set up also establishes the fact that when people are compassionate and kind, and learn ‘rules’ of their own, it’s easy to support and care for someone who is neurodivergent and may have specific needs as a consequence of that. I’d like to take a moment here to appreciate Jeb. In my opinion, he was definitely the MVP of the novel; always looking out for Peta, always there for her, and just generally being a great friend. His character arc was a delight to read.
My biggest issue with the novel was that it felt as though there was easily room for another 10,000 words. The events taking places across the ski trip – the emotional climax of the storyline – felt at times rushed and weren’t as unpacked as they could have been. The additional words would have fleshed out some of the major emotional events, giving more opportunity for reflection and time. A good example that doesn’t go too far into spoilers, is Jarrod. More time could have gone into building up his behaviour and even the ramifications of his actions. Those extra words would have added a greater depth of nuance to the storyline and the complexities of the ‘problem’ which keeps Sam and Peta apart.
I read Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal in a little under two days, finding it a story that balanced the depiction of oft-maligned voices and stories against an engaging and interesting setting very well. I look forward to see what Whateley delights readers with next.
Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore!
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Synopsis | Goodreads
At sixteen, neurodivergent Peta Lyre is the success story of social training. That is, until she finds herself on a school ski trip – and falling in love with the new girl. Peta will need to decide which rules to keep, and which rules to break…
‘I’m Peta Lyre,’ I mumble. Look people in the eye if you can, at least when you greet them. I try, but it’s hard when she is smiling so big, and leaning in.
Peta Lyre is far from typical. The world she lives in isn’t designed for the way her mind works, but when she follows her therapist’s rules for ‘normal’ behaviour, she can almost fit in without attracting attention.
When a new girl, Sam, starts at school, Peta’s carefully structured routines start to crack. But on the school ski trip, with romance blooming and a newfound confidence, she starts to wonder if maybe she can have a normal life after all.
When things fall apart, Peta must decide whether all the old rules still matter. Does she want a life less ordinary, or should she keep her rating normal?
A moving and joyful own voices debut.
