The Rosie Result

April 22, 2019
Simsion concludes the Don Tillman trilogy (after The Rosie Effect), set in present-day Melbourne, with a whimsical tale of devoted, if rather unorthodox, parenting. Don’s 11-year-old son, Hudson, has some social difficulties, and Hudson’s teacher suggests the boy may be autistic. Don, who has been resistant to similar suggestions about himself, decides to help Hudson in ways he wished others had helped him when he was young. He leaves his job (after a well-meant lecture on genetics leads to him being misconstrued as racist), enlists assistance from friends and family, and develops a lesson plan, trying to teach his son ways to fit in. Meanwhile, Hudson is making changes and learning more about autism on his own, granting Don insight into himself and demonstrating how introspective a child can be. Don learns from his son that accepting oneself results in the ultimate happiness. Fans will find this sensitive and sometimes humorous look at Don’s relationship with his son to be the ideal ending to the trilogy. Agent: David Forrer, InkWell Management.

Starred review from May 1, 2019

The third installment in professor Don Tillman's life from Simsion (The Rosie Project) has Don and Rosie recently moved to Australia, uprooting their now 11-year-old son, Hudson. Don notes many of the issues he faced in school coming out in his son and makes a list, which he calls the Hudson Project. Included are things society deems "normal" in children Hudson's age: riding a bike, learning to catch, socializing, and generally fitting in. As with most of Don's plans, unexpected variables throw a wrench in the works. Hudson's school seeks an autism diagnosis, Don quits his job to help his son, Rosie struggles with a sexist boss. Don and Hudson both are eventually able to see how their autism makes them extraordinary. VERDICT Simsion's intriguing look into the mind of a person with autism follows Don as he moves through a changing life. As always, his lighthearted humor and wonderful group of friends add a great touch, and the story will give readers a lot to think about when regarding autism in their communities. Highly recommended.--Brooke Bolton, Boonville-Warrick Cty. P.L., IN

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2019
The final book of Simsion's beloved trilogy, which follows genetics professor Don Tillman's adventures in life and love, begins with a seismic shift. Don's wife, Rosie, the subject of The Rosie Project (2013), has been offered her dream job, which will take the family back to Australia from New York. But their 11-year-old son, Hudson, is not thrilled with the change. Meanwhile, Don, in his inimitable scientific fashion, takes on several problems for his loved ones while dealing with the fallout of what is called the Genetics Lecture Outrage, when he was unfairly charged with racism. As Don decides Hudson needs guidance in order to fit in at school, his son's ongoing issues there lead to an uncomfortable discussion about whether he should be evaluated for autism?and what that evaluation might mean for Don himself. He tackles this project with the energy and ingenuity he displays in all his pursuits, which this time around include opening the world's greatest cocktail bar, for people who dislike the noise and interactions typically required during a night out. Simsion is, as ever, funny without unfairly poking fun, and deeply empathetic toward the flaws and weirdness that everyone carries inside. Charming, eloquent, and insightful, The Rosie Result is a triumphant conclusion to Don's story, one that celebrates this remarkable father, husband, and friend in all his complexity and brilliance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)