Book Review: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Photo by Leanne Dyck

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The Rosie Project is a humorous (love) story with a familiar protagonist.

Familiar?

If you watch the television show Big Bang Theory, you will undoubtedly notice the similarities between Don Tillman and Sheldon Cooper.  

'Don Tillman has a brilliant scientific mind , but social situations confound him.' -from book jacket

Don works as a University professor. 

'Sheldon...[is] a scientific genius who works at a local university and shows several characteristics typical to those who have Asperger's, such as an attention to detail, repetitive actions and a lack of social skills.' -Why Our Autism Community Loves Sheldon Cooper? by Kerry Magro

Does Sheldon have Asperger's? 

'[W]hile Sheldon's personality...certainly has traits in common with people with Asperger's, [Bill Pardy (Big Bang Theory co-creator] would feel uncomfortable labeling Sheldon as such...There's the danger that the other characters' insults about Sheldon's behavior--in other words, 90 percent of the show's comedy--would seem mean if they were mocking a medical condition as apposed to generic eccentricity.'-Reader mail:  Does Sheldon From 'Big Bang Theory' have Asperger's by Alan Sepinwall/The Star-Ledger

 Does Don have Asperger's?

'Claudia asked whether I had enjoyed the Asperger's lecture... 'Did the symptoms remind you of anyone?' she asked...

They were an almost perfect description of Laszlo Heveki in the Physics Department.' (p. 24)

But later says, with regards to his difficulties in finding the perfect woman,   'Nothing would change the fault in my brain that made me unacceptable.' (p. 302) So it seems that he realizes that his brain is "abnormal". 

Graeme Simsion's, author of The Rosie Project, response to the question:  '[H]e's a quirky guy who probably would be diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum -- but I don't claim to be an expert.' -the Classy Bird, the Penguin Random House South Africa blog

Humour arises from Don's inability to comprehend what is happening around him. 

'Gene was at the lectern of the darkened theatre, still talking, apparently oblivious to time, responding to a question about funding. My entrance had allowed a shaft of light into the room and I realized that the audience's eyes were now on me, as if expecting me to say something.

'Time's up,' I said. "I have a meeting with Gene.'

People immediately started getting up, and I observed the Dean in the front row with three people in corporate costumes. I guessed that they were there as potential providers of finance... Gene is always trying to solicit money for research... It is not an area I involve myself in.' (p. 21)

When asked how he felt about using autism/Asperger's as a source of humour, Graeme Simsion answered:  'Don is a person with big strengths (high intelligence) and weaknesses (poor social skills). I see him as atypical rather than disabled. Most stories, drama or comedy, require the hero to overcome a weakness to achieve their goal. Comedy arises when the hero is seriously under-equipped for the journey. And sometimes Don's view of the world makes more sense than ours. So far, the novel has been very well received by people with Asperger's, their families and organisations. Many have commented that they appreciate the socially-challenged person being the hero and the person we identify with rather than someone for the real hero to learn from (as in, for example, Rain Man). No doubt there will be other views but if the book prompts discussion, all the better.' -the Classy Bird, the Penguin Fandom House South Africa blog

More...

There's a link between autism and genius by Kimberly Stephens and Joanne Ruthsatz (New York Post)

Autism and Genius:  A New Study Says They May Share a Genetic Link by Jamie Pacton 

Next post:  Sunday, August 8th (published at approximately 5 PM PST)
Some "normal" people pity the disabled. 
Does this sense of pity arises from a feeling that disabled people must live without? Is this always the case? Or can a disabled person live a life of abundance? How?
These questions lead me to write 'What Matters'.

Photo by Leanne Dyck

 Picture Books in Canada

 The Writers' Union of Canada

Writing for Children Competition 2016: Deadline July 31

Click this link for more information 

"Bim:  a big dog in a small package"

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Sharing my author journey...

When I spot a branch, when I think there it is -- that's my comfortable nest, a breeze carries me even higher. 

Book review: Still Alice by Lisa Genova

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Well-crafted books are the product of careful research. How do you conduct the research for your books? Do you interview experts? Or do you draw from the body of knowledge you've obtained?

Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice, attended Harvard University.
Alice Howland, protagonist of Still Alice, is a professor at Harvard University.
Lisa Genova holds a Ph. D. in neuroscience and is an online columnist for the National Alzheimer's Association.
Alice Howland has early-onset Alzheimer's.

Another scientist may have written this book with a sense of detachment, but not Lisa Genova. She is skilled at bringing us deep inside Alice's mind. We not only learn what it's like to have Alzheimer's, but we also experience it.

Struggling with lose and isolation, Alice 'typed the words "early-onset Alzheimer's disease into Google. It pulled up a lot of facts and statistics.

There are an estimated five hundred thousand people in the United States with early-onset Alzheimer's disease...

 She added the word "support" to her Google search and hit the return key. 

She found forums, links, resources, message boards, and chat rooms. For caregivers...

What about support for the people with Alzheimer's disease.' (p. 208-209)

Alice discovered that there simply weren't any. So she created one. 

I had a similarly frustrating experience, in August 2013, when I sought support to deal with anxiety. I'm an adult with dyslexia.

'Anxiety is the most frequent emotional symptom reported by dyslexic adults.' link to article

My anxiety is heightened when I engage in social activities. 

'Individuals with dyslexia may have learned that being in the company of others places them at risk for making public mistakes and the inevitable reactions that may ensue. It makes sense, then, that people with dyslexia have become withdrawn...or become social isolates.'

link to article 

Not wanting my anxiety to limit my social engagement, I sought help. An Internet search brought me to the Association of Learning Disabled Adults or ALDA. Their website was engaging and informative. I had a deep sense that I'd found what I needed. My email drew a quick reply.

"Due to insufficient funding, next month we will be forced to remove our website and cease offering services."

I was on my own. Left to develop my own strategies, I sought the help of on-island (I live on remote island off Canada's west coast) health care professionals. I combine Rescue Remedy with meditation and Tia chi.

And my secret weapon against anxiety... enter Bim

"Bim" photo by Leanne Dyck

Some days are better then others. I remain plugged in to emotions. When feeling strong, I engage. When not, I don't.

The physically challenged may not need to explain the hurdles they face. The neurodivergent? Ah, we are a horse with a different rider. 

'I have good days and bad. On the good people and even my family use it as an excuse to think that I'm perfectly fine, even making this up.' (p. 220 - 221)

I've encountered this type of thinking in my life regarding dyslexia. For example, I've been told, by people who are intending to be supportive, that I simply have low self-esteem. (Low self-esteem may be a product of dyslexia.) And so the implied message is that I don't really need extra support. I should just try harder. But as an University of Winnipeg professor said, "Would these people expect a person in a wheelchair to climb a flight of stairs?"

Lisa Genova ends Still Alice with a speech. In the speech Alice Howland says, ' "I encourage you to empower us, not limit us... Help us develop tools to function." ' (p. 253)

I concluded Rising Above Expectations, an essay I wrote for the anthology My Gutsy Life, with a poem...

I need you to know that I am capable -- 

even when I show my inability

I need you to have faith that I will be able to pick myself up when I fall.

I need you to let me show you what I'm capable of --

before you help me

I need you to shout at the top of your lungs, "Yes, you can!

If not now -- someday; if not without me -- with me."

I need you to believe in me, even when -- especially when -- I don't.

More...

Lisa Genova writes:  'I spent a year querying literary agents... [When] the last agent...said, "No thanks." I said, "Okay, then. I've had enough of this. I'm self-publishing." '

Click this link to read more about Still Alice's journey to becoming a published book.

Next post...
Sunday, July 31
I've been invited to spend a fun afternoon with friends and so the next post will be published three hours early (around 2 PM PST)
Book review:  University professor Don Tillman is a special kind of man seeking a special kind of woman.
You:  Huh, I wonder what book she's going to review?
or
You:  Hey, I know that book. It's...

  Picture Books in Canada

The mission of The Willow Awards is to promote reading by granting a "Willow Award" to the Canadian and/or Saskatchewan book(s) voted by Saskatchewan students to be the best of those nominated in designated categories for a specific year.

In an effort to encourage participation by all children, regardless of level at which they are reading, three awards have been established.

The Shining Willow Award for books written for young readers [younger than grade 4] 

-Willow Awards website 

A video of The Willow Awards Gala 2016

Submissions Guidelines

Sharing my author journey... 

You may recall that one of my Summer projects was to revise