The Rosie Effect

Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

You know how it is when you read a book with an incredible character you just fall in love with?  And you get all excited when the author carries that character into another book not only to keep him alive but to carry his story forward?   Enter Don Tillman.  

We met Don in The Rosie Project and immediately I fell in love with this character.  He isn’t “average.”  Reading his story you would say he is highly functioning autistic.  He is, after all, a university professor.

In The Rosie Effect, Don and Rosie move to New York for a teaching stint at Columbia University.  Life with Rosie brings challenges to Don but he loves her dearly and will do anything it takes.  When Rosie becomes pregnant it’s Don’s attempt to understand the demands that will be made on him to be a “good father” that sets this story on its path.  I found myself talking to him…”NO! No! Don’t do that!”  or “Awwwww….”  or some other muttering between my smiles or worries.

Don has a whole new support group of friends in this story, including Gene, his best friend from Australia.  “The guys” all try to chip in with advice for Don.  And in time of need they all chip in to save him, too.

I can only hope Don and Rosie are going to be true mainstays in future stories.  Rosie is, after all, pregnant.   No, wait!  Not anymore.  But you have to read this to find out the rest.  This is an absolutely delightful story, Don is a one of a kind character and I just don’t want to ruin it for you by telling you too much.   This is smart, funny,  sweet,  touching and well,  can you tell I loved it?