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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
It had its good moments, a couple of laughs, but was more lethargic and disconnected from reality than the first novel.
A lovely read. Just as enjoyable as the first instalment in the series, 'The Rosie Effect' is both well-written and well-paced. A joy to read from start to finish.
The author adeptly manages to build upon the plot of the previous book, 'The Rosie Project' but develops the characters to the extent that though they still feel nice and familiar, the book does not just read like a rehash of the first one. 'The Rosie Effect' includes all the Don Tillman-esque responses to situations which make the books so touching and funny, but the new setting adds a lovely freshness to the sequel.
Having relocated to New York and both working/studying at Columbia University, we pick up Don and Rosie's story just over a year into their marriage. Everything seems to be going swimmingly, until Rosie drops a bombshell on Don which shapes the rest of the entire novel.
I LOVE the way these books are written. Don's inner monologue is hilarious and incredibly sweet, and the way he comes across as both an immensely intelligent individual and a completely lost child simultaneously works very well. At points I was almost shouting "NO!" at the pages as I read about Don getting further and further into trouble in certain situations, merely because he hasn't picked up on the social cues that would have told him to cease and desist in his behaviour.
I only had one issue with this book. And that issue's name is Rosie Jarmin.
However, despite the rant, I still really enjoyed this book. Perfect light reading. Great characters (for the most part). Great plot. Just lush.
The author adeptly manages to build upon the plot of the previous book, 'The Rosie Project' but develops the characters to the extent that though they still feel nice and familiar, the book does not just read like a rehash of the first one. 'The Rosie Effect' includes all the Don Tillman-esque responses to situations which make the books so touching and funny, but the new setting adds a lovely freshness to the sequel.
Having relocated to New York and both working/studying at Columbia University, we pick up Don and Rosie's story just over a year into their marriage. Everything seems to be going swimmingly, until Rosie drops a bombshell on Don which shapes the rest of the entire novel.
I LOVE the way these books are written. Don's inner monologue is hilarious and incredibly sweet, and the way he comes across as both an immensely intelligent individual and a completely lost child simultaneously works very well. At points I was almost shouting "NO!" at the pages as I read about Don getting further and further into trouble in certain situations, merely because he hasn't picked up on the social cues that would have told him to cease and desist in his behaviour.
I only had one issue with this book. And that issue's name is Rosie Jarmin.
Spoiler
Seriously, FUCK ROSIE in this book. Firstly she intentionally gets pregnant without informing or having a discussion with Don about it, and then she proceeds to act like a total tool for the remainder of the novel, often in the face of Don trying his absolute hardest to be supportive of her. I get it. Don is on the autistic spectrum and so has major difficulties in relating to her (or anyone) emotionally, which does not mix well with the stress of being pregnant, and writing a PhD, and studying medicine. But come on! He is clearly trying his best. And aren't his particular personality "quirks" the reason why she married him in the first place? But what really pisses me off is she just snaps and sighs at his behaviour throughout the book. There is no attempt to sit him down and actually explain what she wants from him, and what she feels like she's not getting. Like when he is trying to optimise her diet for both taste and good nutrition for the foetus, she just rebels and starts eating unsafe foods and drinking alcohol right in front of him, as if she is rubbing it in his face. Don't get me wrong, I definitely admire a woman who doesn't let social convention, or her husband, dictate what she should and shouldn't ingest during pregnancy. After all it's still her body and her choice. But it's just the way she deals with it. Seriously, I thought Rosie came off as a petulant child all the way through, and to be honest I was a little disappointed when the cliched 'getting the girl back' ending happened.However, despite the rant, I still really enjoyed this book. Perfect light reading. Great characters (for the most part). Great plot. Just lush.
En tykännyt tästä. Henkilöt jäivät pinnallisiksi ja hauskoiksi tarkoitetut käänteet tuntuivat enimmäkseen kiusallisilta. Kirjaa lukiessa tuntui kuin olisi katsonut keskinkertaista amerikkalaista sitcomia, jossa asperger-tyyliin kulmikas päähenkilö hölmöilee itsensä kummallisiin tilanteisiin kerta toisensa jälkeen. En katsoisi sellaista tv:stä, enkä nauttinut tästäkään.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
liked it but a little wobbly at times. Didn't like how Rosie withdrew into her pregnancy and didn't talk with Don. It seemed out of character compared to the first book. Can it all be blamed on hormones, the stress of academic life?
Another fun episode in the Don and Rosie saga that began with The Rosie Project. One of the things I love about these books is how Don, a man everyone believes is on the spectrum, comes to truths leading to understandings and approaches to love, friendship, marriage, and other human experiences. With his knowledge of genetics and growing understandings of psychology aided by his professor friends, Don boils human behavior down into unemotional truths about what we as humans all want and the ways we behave because of it. His revelations lead readers to reflect on the ways those truths play out in their own lives, and his approaches to problem-solve can lay a path to understanding how we can see our own lives and the relationships in them.
I finished this book in 2 days. I haven't read the first book, and I haven't decided if I'm going to. I don't know if I want to go backwards in the story, although I have no doubt that the first book is as good as this one. The author's ability to create a lovable character from someone whose essence makes social interactions so difficult and fraught with peril speaks to his gift as a storyteller. Don Tillman is a character I won't soon forget.
Our protagonist is an Australian geneticist relocated to New York with his new wife, a dual PhD/MD student who handles her final year of grad school by getting pregnant. This is fodder for a charming and delightful book because our hero is, "not average", having been diagnosed at different times in his life as autistic, schizophrenic, bipolar and having Asperger's. His difficulties are not understanding social cues and handling the unexpected (pregnancy). Add in an inability to deceive and a shockingly high intellect and there are the makings of a large variety of misunderstandings with all sorts of 'average' people who are quick to judge and quicker still to misunderstand. These range from laugh out loud scenes to quiet humor; a few scenes are poignant and tender. This is truly a wonderful book written with sensitivity and skill that are rare when describing such a wide range of characters. Because while our protagonist may be the identified problem, it becomes clear that those around him have many more challenges than he does.
-Suzanne R.
-Suzanne R.