Jem Lester is the father of a teenager with autism. Ten-year-old Jonah has lost his words now, and simply babbles.

Shtum is named for, and is, about silence. Jonah's silence. It takes us through the harrowing life of Jonah and his family, into what Lester describes as "developing quickly, dreading the inevitable day, when – like a burn-up at the traffic lights, my son remains in neutral as they roar off into the distance."

Jonah's life primarily consists of Ben and his wife Emma attempting a "pretend separation" in order to strengthen Jonah's case in court for access to better facilities and better resources. Under that pretext, Ben has to take sole responsibility of Jonah, and thus begins living with this son and his father – Granddad Georg.

Three generations of men under one roof – this story is about the men in the family, the essence being the need to communicate while keeping "Shtum" about things. Jonah says nothing, but yet manages to convey his needs more effectively than the other two.

Jem Lester's first book, Shtum takes us through autism in great depth, touching upon each sentiment with delicacy and raw brutal honesty. Powerful, dark and funny at the same time, Lester's story makes a huge impression.