The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion, Review: Pitch-perfect conclusion
Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Result is a pitch-perfect conclusion to a much loved, and groundbreaking, fictional series. Read my full review.
The Rosie Result Synopsis
I was standing on one leg shucking oysters when the problems began…
Don Tillman and Rosie Jarman are back in Australia after a decade in New York, and they’re about to face their most important challenge.
Their son, Hudson, is struggling at school: he’s socially awkward and not fitting in. Don’s spent a lifetime trying to fit in—so who better to teach Hudson the skills he needs?
The Hudson Project will require the help of friends old and new, force Don to decide how much to guide Hudson and how much to let him be himself, and raise some significant questions about his own identity.
Meanwhile, there are multiple distractions to deal with: the Genetics Lecture Outrage, Rosie’s troubles at work, estrangement from his best friend Gene…
And opening the world’s best cocktail bar.
(Text Publishing, February 2019)
Genre: Literature, Drama, Humour
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BOOK REVIEW
Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project was an international bestseller. His follow-up, The Rosie Effect, even better in my humble opinion, cemented the loyalty of his lead character’s legions of fans worldwide. Don Tillman is now practically a household name amongst book lovers. What an enviable platform from which to release this much anticipated final instalment in The Rosie trilogy, The Rosie Result.
Many would attribute the positive reception of Simsion’s books as a catalyst for increasing awareness of the Autism Spectrum (despite Simsion avoiding diagnosis of his much-loved leading man), along with the burgeoning number of books, TV series and movies featuring non-neurotypical characters.
But as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. And, so it is with great relief that I say…
What most impressed me about The Rosie Result is what Simsion has done with that responsibility, this enviable platform. That he has presented ‘acts stemming from assumption and judgement’ and explored myriad viewpoints relating to behaviour that falls outside the neurotypical norm, without judgement is worthy of a standing ovation.
The Rosie Result is jam-packed with wonderful moments.
This novel is oozing at the seams with Simsion’s trademark Don Tillman humour and heart. Though, just as Don and Rosie’s relationship and that with their son, has matured over the intervening years, so too have Don’s observations and learned behaviours. Accordingly, the humour derived from the couple’s banter, Don’s response to new and tricky parental situations (and accompanying internal dialogue) is far richer and more nuanced.
The Rosie Result narrative displays emotional growth on par with that of its memorable characters. For this reason alone, this trilogy should be read in order. Not to do so would mean missing out on a genuinely heartwarming and moving experience.
And finally, I feel compelled to make mention of the wonderful title pun. What a great lesson to authors in the importance of character name selection.
Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Result is a pitch-perfect conclusion to a much loved, and groundbreaking, fictional series.
BOOK RATING: The Story 5 / 5 ; The Writing 5 / 5
Get your copy of The Rosie Result and Books 1 and 2 in the trilogy from:
Amazon Bookshop US Book Depository Booktopia AU
OR listen to the audiobook FREE with Audible’s Trial (check eligibility)
About the Author, Graeme Simsion
Graeme Simsion is a Melbourne-based novelist and screenwriter. The Rosie Project was the 2014 ABIA Book of the Year and has sold more than a million copies worldwide. The sequel, The Rosie Effect, is also a bestseller, with worldwide sales approaching one million. Graeme’s screenplay for The Rosie Project is in development with Sony Pictures and The Best of Adam Sharp is in development with Toni Collette’s Vocab Films. Graeme co-wrote Two Steps Forward (2017) and Two Steps Onward (2021) with his wife, Anne Buist.
This review counts towards my participation in the Aussie Author Challenge 2019.
* Receiving a copy from the publisher did not impact the expression of my honest opinions in the review above.
