One and the Same

Rylie Warren
Marcelo in the Real World
By: Francisco X. Stork

     Do you ever wonder what it is like living with a disability that would make you think differently, act differently, or even have an entirely different personality? In the realistic fiction novel, Marcelo In The Real World written by Francisco X. Stork, the main character Marcelo struggles with an autism-like condition that generates him to see and think of things very differently than others around him, and no doctor can identify what it is. Marcelo has many things about him that make him special: he’s shy, quiet, private, and most importantly, he’s himself. Unlike other boys his age, Marcelo enjoys conversing about religion; others enjoy the topic of girls. Patterson is the name of the school that Marcelo attends, Patterson is made for kids with disabilities where he can secure with peers that are just like him. Unfortunately, in the summer of his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo gets a job in the mailroom and experience the real world for himself.
     In the novel, Marcelo shows what it is like to be in high school with a disability. Throughout the heartwarming story, all of Marcelo’s emotions are displayed to the reader and at times readers may feel so much sorrow for him. While reading this book I was so intrigued; it was a book that was difficult to put down. Marcelo helps you understand how to live life in a more positive way and it portrays a whole different mindset to readers that is very eye-opening. As Marcelo describes himself it really allows readers including myself to see his true colors, “I view myself as different in the way I think, talk and act but not as someone who is abnormal or ill” (Stork 55). Marcelo helps inform those with disabilities to not down themselves or think little of themselves like he used to along with many others. Not only does Marcelo have to deal with his own thoughts; he has to deal with other peoples thoughts as well as their opinions. Hearing other people’s negative opinions on him is hurtful and unfair. Throughout these battles, Marcelo stays strong and he doesn’t let other people’s opinions on him due to their own insecurities bother him. In the novel, he says, “I deal with people like him a hundred times a day. They look at me and naturally assume I'm not as smart as they are” (Stork 195). Even hearing this as someone without a disability would be extremely hurtful, but seeing how Marcelo takes these comments from the irrelevant people around him is truly amazing and so powerful. In my opinion, after reading this book and learning about these experiences that happen in today’s world, I have a new outlook on life, and I was inspired to be someone who people may call a hero one day.
     I recommend this novel to anyone, especially those who are insecure about something they have no control over although at times it can be a tear-jerker. Marcelo’s way of being and his thoughts through his teenaged life have inspired me to live with no worries, insecurities, or negativity and it could do the same for many others. No one is this world is perfect and there is no such thing of being “normal” and while reading this, Marcelo indirectly teaches that to readers. Like Marcelo says: “Be in the world, but not of the world” (Stork 201).