The Rosie Books: The Rosie Project: 2013, The Rosie Effect: 2014, The Rosie Result: 2019
Graeme Simsion does not claim his series of funny, sensitive books featuring his character, Don Tillman, is about someone with Asperger’s or anyone who finds themselves on the spectrum. But it is. My partner read it, and he said that Graeme Simsion writes like I think. I state my case.
One of the reviewers is quoted as saying “Sometimes you just need a smart love story that will make anyone, man or woman, laugh out loud.” Reading that you might think that Simsion is making fun of us non-neurotypicals. But he is honestly not.
I laughed a lot when I read this book, and I know some of that came from the situations the author put our protagonist (Don) in, and Don’s response to them, but another aspect that made me laugh out loud was the joy of recognition.
It’s comforting to know that Simsion could take our predicament and in the bright light of day, show the world with humour and tenderness what it’s like to be us.
Throughout these books, I recognized aspects of my grandsons, my daughter and myself. We share some characteristics, but each have put our own personal stamp on the spectrum label, as has every other Aspie.
My partner, who is not on the spectrum, on reading the Rosie Effect, had great admiration for Don (the main character). “Here is this guy with severe social deficits, doing everything he can to correct them,” he told me when he finished reading the book. “The guy knows he’s limited and he works in every conceivable way to change that.”
If only to acquaint ourselves with that attitude, and to enjoy a humorous look at what it is to be ‘us’ in social situations, this book truly is a must read.
Margaret Jean 