The Rosie Result

The Rosie Result, Graeme Simsion

The third and final instalment of the very popular novel The Rosie Project has recently been released: The Rosie Result. It’s over ten years since the events of The Rosie Effect, and Don and Rosie’s son Hudson is now 11. The family has returned to Melbourne after a decade in New York and Hudson is struggling to adjust to the changes. Don and Rosie are made aware of his struggles by the school who raise the question of whether Hudson could be autistic.

Rosie is working almost full time on a research project and Don himself has run into some trouble after being accused of racism in a genetics lecture. Don decides to take some time off work and become Hudson’s main carer. As Hudson displays many of the same characteristics as Don, Don is only too aware of the challenges he may face if unable to function in a ‘normal’ way in a school environment. He initiates the Hudson Project in an effort to teach Hudson many of the skills and social expectations required in life.

This all sounds rather serious, but just like The Rosie Project and Effect, humour is strongly present, even while serious themes are addressed.

Simsion’s characters have depth. Whether they have differing psychological views, approaches to education, or perspectives of people living with autism and the presumptions of others; he presents a balanced representation of many, with the reader left to make their own assessment, all the while taking into account Don’s telling of events. Most characters were multifaceted enough to make them realistic, even while indicating some of the complications with what they were espousing.

Obviously views and attitudes to Aspergers and autism have changed in the last 10 years or so and Simsion is also attempting to represent that. I can’t speak with any authority or personal experience in the area, but I felt his representation was both balanced and varied. There are advantages as well as challenges to having a diagnosis (or a label). The education system is continually figuring out how to manage classrooms with varying emotional and intellectual skill sets amongst the children (and teachers).

It was an enjoyable read and a very satisfying end to a well-written, insightful and cleverly crafted series.