Misfit

Autistic. Gay. Immigrant. Changemaker.

De: Andreas Souvaliotis

Narrado por: Andreas Souvaliotis

Updated and expanded: A new edition of the inspiring memoir by one of Canada's most unusual, successful, and socially conscious businesspeople.

"I am different. I have always been different. I grew up scared of being found out, scared of my natural inability to fit in, to conform, to look and sound and dress and behave 'normal.' I was always drawn to the different ones and I observed them with fascination - but the thought of being even a little bit like them mortified me. I was desperate to fit in...." (From Misfit)

Andreas Souvaliotis was raised at a time when being on the autism spectrum wasn't easily diagnosed or even discussed. Minds like his were simply considered odd. He also knew from an early age he was gay, and it terrified him as he was growing up with openly homophobic parents in one of Europe's least tolerant societies.

Andreas' differences made him an outsider, right through to his mid-40s. And then suddenly, everything changed. Misfit is the extraordinary memoir of a man who realized there was strength in his strangeness, that it could be used as a force for good.

"It all happened in a flash. On a beautiful spring morning in 2007, sitting in my backyard and licking my wounds from a spectacular career derailment, I came up with a big idea - and I found myself contemplating the most daring and unconventional pursuit of my life."

The weird kid from Greece was on his way to making his world, and everyone's world, a better place.

Andreas Souvaliotis' inspiring story shows us that everyone has what it takes to trigger positive change and that none of us should see our differences and quirks as handicaps.

The author is donating all of his proceeds from this book to 6 Degrees, a global charitable initiative that promotes inclusion, diversity, belonging and citizenship (6degreesto.com).

©2019 Andreas Souvaliotis (P)2019 Penguin Random House Canada

Reseñas de la Crítica

"It is easy to find Souvaliotis, with his excitement and enthusiasm for the next puzzle to be unlocked, extraordinarily charming. Misfit is simple and clear, replete with the entrepreneur's gospel of creativity and innovation. Misfit will surely resonate for anyone who has likewise struggled to find a place for themselves in the world." (Quill & Quire)

"Andreas's message is straightforward and powerful: harness the things that make you different in order to change your world for the better. We're all misfits, with our own particularities. And, in our quest to fit in and live 'normal,' we too often quash those very things that could make us special." (Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire, from their foreword)

"The beautiful story of Canada's most energetic, dynamic, fun and outspoken social entrepreneur." (Greg Kiessling, cofounder and executive chairman, Bullfrog Power Inc.)

Roller coaster interest

I’m disappointed this story focused more on business & accomplishments. I really was hoping to learn more about his autism & how he overcame struggles. Instead it was only a small part of his afterthoughts on certain times. He shares his thinking processes used to accomplish so many business ventures. I struggled going between how hard it was for him, yet always managed to ‘luck out’, except when he felt betrayed. It sounded more boastful. At the end of the book he gives a blurb about what his father said to him shortly before he died that seemed out of place. It would’ve anywhere it was placed since it totally contradicted what the book led me to believe.