The Boy Who Loved Too Much

A True Story of Pathological Friendliness

By: Jennifer Latson

Narrated by: Heather Auden

What would it be like to see everyone as a friend?

Twelve-year-old Eli D'Angelo has a genetic disorder that obliterates social inhibitions, making him irrepressibly friendly, indiscriminately trusting, and unconditionally loving toward everyone he meets. It also makes him enormously vulnerable. Eli lacks the innate skepticism that will help his peers navigate adolescence more safely - and vastly more successfully.

Journalist Jennifer Latson follows Eli over three critical years of his life as his mother, Gayle, must decide whether to shield Eli entirely from the world and its dangers or give him the freedom to find his own way and become his own person. By intertwining Eli and Gayle's story with the science and history of Williams syndrome, the book explores the genetic basis of behavior and the quirks of human nature. More than a case study of a rare disorder, however, The Boy Who Loved Too Much is a universal tale about the joys and struggles of raising a child, of growing up, and of being different.

©2017 Jennifer Latson (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Always empathetic and consistently insightful, Jennifer Latson's deep dive into Eli's life not only illuminates an under-known condition, but made me rethink the very nature of human connection. I cannot recommend this book highly enough." (Kate Bolick, author of Spinster: Making a Life of One's Own)

I'm not normal but I love & love and love...

Well researched true story of a sage child who was born to love everyone everywhere everyday but has a very delicate health.

Williams Syndrome

This is a very Informative, in-depth book about a boy with Williams Syndrome and his mother whom the author shadowed for three years. It is forthright, honest, personal, and well-researched. I was particularly intrigued by ongoing studies involving elastin and immunotherapy. Everyone can benefit from better understanding of the people around us who don't always always behave as we might first anticipate.

Best Info to be Learned

Having a family member with Williams Syndrome this book really helped me understand it more fully.

heartfelt and deeply honest

Very easy listen. Very well written, weaving facts with personal storytelling. Real insight into what it's like raising a child with special needs.

Inspirational

As the Nana of a little girl with William syndrome, this book provided not only exceptional scientific information but also an immense amount of hope for what the coming years may be like for our family. As the narrator spoke about different things Eli said and did, I had a little laugh because I had only seen and heard things like that once before for our little Haile. This book should be mandatory reading for every medical, psychological and educational professional that deals with any child with William syndrome. I have seen first-hand, especially with school officials the lack of ability to comprehend what they can expect of the child. More often than not they group kids with children that have autism. Thank you so much for sharing this story.