Every Cripple a Superhero

Christoph Keller's memoir, "Every Cripple a Superhero," is a poignant exploration of life with a progressive disorder, navigating a world not designed for him. It is a defiant call to arms, affecting and lingering long in the memory. Keller's photographs of the unexpected beauty in puddle-filled curb cuts reveal a truer world where disability is more widespread than we might think, and everyday superheroes exist alongside us.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Fascinating, compelling, and incredibly funny, "Every Cripple a Superhero" is a defiant call to arms that will leave a lasting impact on readers long after they reach its final page. The Sunday Times describes it as a "defiant call to arms," while the Morning Star praises it as a "skilful act of literary witness, sharp, moving, and funny." Christoph Keller, the author, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Swiss writers.

Keller's childhood diagnosis of a form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, SMA III, presented a unique perspective. Unlike many stories of disability that follow a predictable pattern of "Life Before Accident" and "Life After Accident," Keller's condition had been with him since birth. SMA III, the kindest form, allows individuals to live a long life, but it progresses slowly, with no cure. By the age of 25, Keller had to use a wheelchair occasionally.

In "Every Cripple a Superhero," Keller shares his personal journey with a progressive disorder. He describes the two distinct aspects of himself: Walking Me, who could still walk with a cane or on someone's arm, and Rolling Me, who eventually took over completely. The book is an intimate and absurdist memoir that explores the challenges of loving, being loved, and living a public life in a world that was not designed for him. Keller's photographs of the unexpected beauty found in puddle-filled curb cuts, pavement ramps, and other urban obstacles serve as a visual representation of his perspective.

Through his humorous and immense grace, Keller reveals a truer world where the normal is not normal, disability is far more widespread than we might think, and everyday superheroes exist alongside us. He challenges societal expectations and stereotypes and encourages readers to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. "Every Cripple a Superhero" is a testament to the resilience and determination of individuals with disabilities and a call to embrace diversity and inclusivity in our society.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802060997