It’s been about 10 months since I read The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I did plan to wait a little while before reading the sequel, The Rosie Effect, though not quite this long. I was concerned after reading some reviews, that it may not be as good and I wanted my memories of the first book to fade, before I read the sequel. Anyway, I’m happy to report that I found, The Rosie Effect, very funny, though perhaps not quite as satisfying as the first book.
One of the things I particularly liked in The Rosie Project, was the way so many things that happen in the middle and latter stages of the book tied in with things that happened earlier. While this didn’t really happen in the Rosie Effect, the book did finish with a very funny incident on a plane, which I enjoyed immensely. So it did finish well.
The book continues the story of Don Tillman, a likely sufferer of Asperger Syndrome. The book begins with his wife, Rosie, announcing she is pregnant. While not unhappy with this unexpected news, it throws Don’s well organized life into chaos, which he doesn’t really recover from until the end of the book. His many attempts to engage in the role of being an expectant father do not go well and he is left wondering his suitability as a father.
There are two things I really like about the character, Don Tillman—his logic, and his kind-heartedness. His overly logic mind creates much of the humour in the book, but I relate to his frustration at the lack of logic in so many human interactions. His kind-heartedness is seen in the enormous lengthens he’s prepared to go to for his wife and his friends, which is a delight.
Overall, a great read, though again, Rosie excessive bad language was a bit off putting.
