Book Review: The Rosie Project

WTD Rating: 3.5 stars
Quick Advice: An easy and enjoyable read despite a problematic characterization of an individual with Asberger's Syndrome.
Warning: Mild Plot Spoilers (AKA I discuss a few events in the book without ruining the ending)

The Rosie Project
Source: chrisbookarama

I feel like I heard so much about Graeme Simsion’s debut novel The Rosie Project this summer. I bought Where’d You Go Bernadette for a girlfriend’s birthday and the cashier said upon seeing my selection “have you read The Rosie Project? I think you’d like it too!” Ever since then I've been wanting to read it! I bought The Rosie Project for my mom for Christmas who read it with her book club and passed it on to me last week. At the same time she also gave me The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. When I asked her which to read first she said “The Rosie Project is an easy read but I have to say I preferred The 100 Year Old Man”. She didn’t elaborate but my hunch is that being a retired social work professor her reaction to The Rosie Project may be in part due to what I noted as a highly problematic oversimplification of an individual with Asperger’s syndrome. 

Love this hardcover copy of the book!
Source: tea-drinkingbookloverdiary

It seems readers either loved or hated this book but the vast majority of Goodreads readers seemed to love it! Reactions range from overwhelming admiration to shameful disgust in regards to how Simsion characterized the protagonist Professor Don Tillman. Don is a Professor, researcher, excellent cook, enthusiastic drinker and karate blackbelt who lives by a strict, unflinching schedule until he realizes its time to find himself a wife and thus begins The Wife Project and the total upheaval of his structured, predictable life.

Don is an indivudual who is living with Asperger’s syndrome. I don’t have a comprehensive understanding of Asperger’s syndrome however a google search of legitimate sources explains that it is an “autism spectrum disorder (ASD) considered to be on the “high functioning” end of the spectrum” (Austism Speaks). The Mayo Clinic (a great go-to medical source) states “Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others” (The Mayo Clinic). Asperger’s is a neurological condition that is more common in males and is regarded as a developmental disorder. According to Behaviour Consultant, "idiosyncratic interests are common and may take the form of an unusual and/or highly circumscribed interest (e.g., in train schedules, snakes, the weather, deep-fry cookers, or telegraph pole insulators)" (Behaviour Consultant).  Simsion certainly integrates the social behaviours and the idiosyncratic interests into Don's character in The Rosie Project.

Don is never diagnosed with Asperger’s and never self-identifies as having the syndrome in The Rosie Project. However, Asperger’s comes up frequently in the text through Don’s research in genetics. When he finishes a presentation on Asperger’s in the beginning of the text the facilitator says pointedly to him: “remind you of anyone?”. Late in the text he does list his symptoms without coming to any concrete conclusions; he actually uses his symptoms as a method of analyzing what he needs to change in order to “get the girl”. This approach was really disappointing to me as a reader. Instead of having to change to find love I wish Don could have found love as himself. He accepts and loves Rosie despite being unsuitable for The Wife Project however he realizes that he will never be suitable to a woman without purposefully altering his social behaviour. 

Simsion’s explains his characterization of Don in an interview stating: “I didn’t want Don to be a syndrome. I wanted a living, walking character” (Library Journal).  The NY Times review states that Simsion “reminds us that people who are neurologically atypical have many of the same concerns as the rest of us: companionship, ethics, alcohol” (The New York Times). Obviously, my interpretation is completely opposite to that of Simsion and the NY Times. Where they see a normalization humanization of an "atypical" human being I see an author using stereotypical behaviour before manipulating and changing a character for the end result: love.

The Goodreads synopsis calls The Rosie Project “an international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor” (Goodreads). Truthfully, I can’t say I “felt good” after finishing it; I felt unsatisfied. Even the use of the descriptor “oddly charming” is a problematic to me. Why do we need to use language like "odd"? Instead of breaking down barriers and raising awareness Simsion deeks, ducks and avoids the critical issues raised by the book. After the first chapter I said to my boyfriend, Don is Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory. Think about it: ShelDON. We find his quirks and personality traits “funny” and laugh at him when he makes inappropriate comments in public or has a chair or spot he has to sit in. Both characters are  “weird” and unfortunately society likes to laugh at weirdness instead of trying to accept and understand. Don Tillman is the literary Sheldon Cooper who studies genetics instead of Physics and makes his own food on a strict weekly schedule instead of eating pre-determined takeout.  All I can hear in my head now is Sheldon's vhoice exclaming "on Friday nights we eat Chinese food!"

Don's Sexy Literary Look-a-Like Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck)

Despite the problematic portrayal of the main character I have to say The Rosie Project can be very endearing at times. For a novel that was supposed to be a screenplay and was written in only four weeks Simsion accomplishes a lot. The book is wildly popular and is making its rounds throughout the world. The three focal projects: The Wife Project, The Father Project and The Rosie Project are all entertaining and I thorougly enjoyed the simple structure of the book. On the surface, The Rosie Project is an easy and enjoyable read. I liked the chemistry between Don and Rosie and the adventures they experience together are funny and charming. I felt a fondness and appreciation for Don and they way he lives his life. I don’t discourage you from reading the book I simply want to re-enforce what I always enforce as an English major; read critically and always ask questions! 

PS: If you loved The Rosie Project comment or tweet us! We love a good book discussion and welcome your thoughts and feedback.

Liar Liar...English Hire?!

So a couple of weeks ago, something incredible happened. My heart was pounding, my eyes widened as my sense of hope elevated and my mouth seemed frozen open as though stuck on the "O" of "O-M-G". No, I didn't see my true love at first site, and no, it wasn't really good porn. It was a simple article on Facebook, entitled "Why English Majors are the hot new hires" which I have posted here for your viewing pleasure.
https://www.openforum.com/articles/why-english-majors-are-the-hot-new-hires/

My reaction to the article occurred in stages. First, was the excitement at seeing the title and thinking "Yes! Someone is finally realizing my worth! Employment here I come!" Then I actually started reading the article. Bruna Martinuzzi, the author of the article, makes some valid points about the often underrated qualities and qualifications that English majors bring to the table. Things like excellent communication and writing skills, and a strong hand in critical thinking. While I would argue, slightly biased of course, that English majors undergo the most rigorous training in critical thinking of all the liberal arts majors, the reality is that critical thinking, along with the other skills Martinuzzi lists, is not limited to the English major alone. In fact, the entire arts spectrum underscores the importance of logical argumentation and clear, concise communication, so the article's claims for English majors could as easily be made for History, Philosophy, Sociology and Political Science as well. Furthermore, the social science disciplines actually have one-up on us arts students in the research department, as they are required to take statistics courses which only augment employers' confidence in their ability to research and analyze material.

And here's another kicker (and where my original excitement downspirals into cynicism). Any of the jobs I have applied to that list "excellent written and oral skills" or "editing and proofreading" among its ideal applicant's key qualifications second these skills to a very specific education, often including a degree in Communications or Journalism; even a Business Administration degree is requested for the most menial of jobs! The skill set Martinuzzi lists appears after these very specific qualifications, which leads one to wonder which of the two will be considered more favorably by the employer. Will it be enough that I am an excellent communicator with years of experience editing and writing for professionals, but I'm also an English major? Or would they rather have a Business Admin degree, even if that means having to look over every article produced to ensure our dependable business student used the correct "there" in their writing?

What's worse is the reality that it does not necessarily have to be one or the other anymore. Nowadays, good writing practices are being more emphasized across the social sciences and even outside the liberal arts discipline. Many science students are required to take an English Literature course and, having served as a teaching assistant for one of those courses recently, I can attest to the fact that despite a science or engineering background, many non-arts students write with the capability of those of us who specialize in the art of communication and argumentation. An English major alone is rarely enough to satisfy. Those job postings that require "excellent communication and written skill" always come with an additional caveat that run-of-the-mill English majors may not be able to fulfill. Want to edit stories for the news? You need excellent communication skills AND a degree in television broadcasting. Want to work as a research assistant? You need thorough research skills AND demonstrated experience in statistics. An English major alone is realistically insufficient.

Ultimately, it saddens me to say that Martinuzzi's article fails to answer the "why" question. Why hire an English major, specifically, when there are all sorts of other disciplines out there that arm students with similar skills and qualifications? The dreamer in me wants to believe that she is right, that there is something special and unique about those of us who study literature, with which other arts programs simply cannot compare. But the truth of the matter is, the title of the article could just have easily read "why arts majors are the hot new hires", hitting home the reality that despite any corporate move towards the arts, we still have an outrageous number of equally qualified candidates to compete against for the ever decreasing number of jobs available.

In the mean time, we struggle onwards with the hope of finding employment that will motivate us to get up every morning and do our best, while maintaining the reassurance that even if we are "merely" English majors, at least we have one hell of a library.

The 10 Best Literary Christmas Quotations (According to Us)

There is nothing better than reading about Christmas in your favourite literature! A truly good book can get you in the mood for December even on a sunny August afternoon. So sit back, relax and take in my list of the ten best literary chrsitmas quotes. Don't agree? Repond with your favourite quotations in the comments!

Source: We Heart It

A special thank you to Goodreads and Google which made compiling this list of quotations ridiculously easy on this snowy December morning!

10.)

Source: School Library Journal

“Always winter but never Christmas.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

9.)

Source: byubookstore

 “I mean the baronet and the rector, not our brothers—but the former, who hate each other all the year round, become quite loving at Christmas.”
― William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

8.)

Source: Wikipedia

“Mistletoe," said Luna dreamily, pointing at a large clump of white berries placed almost over Harry's head. He jumped out from under it. "Good thinking," said Luna seriously. "It's often infested with nargles.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

7.) 

“I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

 

6.)

 “CALVIN: This whole Santa Claus thing just doesn't make sense. Why all the secrecy? Why all the mystery? If the guy exists why doesn't he ever show himself and prove it? And if he doesn't exist what's the meaning of all this? HOBBES: I dunno. Isn't this a religious holiday?
CALVIN: Yeah, but actually, I've got the same questions about God.”
― Bill Watterson

5.) 

Source: The Literary Snob

“But at Christmas he had returned to Minneapolis, tight-lipped and strangely jubilant.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise

4.)

Source: Page Pulp

“He went to the church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and for, and patted the children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of homes, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed of any walk, that anything, could give him so much happiness.”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

 3.)

Source: MsJacoby

“At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”
― Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express

2.)

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

1.)

Source: Wikipedia

“One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Because in our hearts, here at WTD, Dumbledore is always number one! Hope you all have a lovely day and get to play in the snow!

A Book Buying Guide for the Bookworms (and maybe even some Non-Bookish Folk) on your List this Holiday Season

Further to our gift card discussion, I thought I'd post a book buying guide for the fast-approaching holiday season. I personally love receiving books as gifts but for some reason I rarely get them in return! You'd think as an English major and bookish nerd people would automatically get me books but perhaps because I've read a lot of books they shy away from choosing one for me? In my opinion, there is nothing more personal than choosing a book for a loved one. If you don't know where to start - start here! Remember, there's this magical thing called a GIFT RECEIPT that you can stick in the cover of the book to ensure that if they have read it they can return the gift and choose something they haven't. I usually wait and confirm that the receiver hasn't read the book before writing a personal inscription in the cover.  The most recent book I received as a gift was Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). I loved this present as I would never have bought it myself but thoroughly enjoyed it and gained a newfound appreciation for Mindy Kaling (I was a clueless Office lover who didn't know she was a major writing force). The book isn't on my list but does come highly recommended, especially for a young woman or aspiring writer of any kind. Kaling is a talented, funny and, despite the title, confident woman to learn from and look up to!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Here at WTD we like to support local bookshops and booksellers but in the guide I have posted images and links to Chapters/Indigo for your reference and discretion.

1.) For a Friend in a Rut – The  Glass Castle – Jeanette Walls

The Glass Castle

If you haven’t read the blog article I wrote after hearing author Jeanette Walls speak at a literary event, read it here. I am a huge fan of her work and my appreciation for The Glass Castle doubled, no, quadrupled after having the chance to meet her in person.  The Glass Castle  is the perfect book for a friend who is in a rut, as many of us twenty-somethings are, because it puts life into perspective while simultaneously providing an unapologetic sense of hope for the future.  Hope is important for many of us right now and this book is also funny, touching and thought provoking.

2.) For your Mother-in-Law – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Shaffer

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Have you read it? It’s great! I stole it off my mom’s shelf expecting something completely different based solely on my impression of the title but it’s a rich and rewarding read written in the epistolary form that has an upbeat sensibility that I appreciate in literature. Goodreads: “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Juliet [the protagonist] begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever”. Some reader reviewers on Good Reads find it a little hokey but I truly enjoyed the wholesome, good-feeling vibes Shaffer puts into her writing. In my opinion, it’s a perfect read for your MIL.

3.) For your Literary Friend – Half-Blood Blues - Esi Edugyan

Half Blood Blues

I realize that because this selection is for your literary friend they may have read this book, but if they’re a literary friend they’ve probably read a lot of books. It’s going to be kind of  a shot in the dark to choose something for them no matter what. When in doubt, scan their bookshelves next time you’re over and looking for missing titles. Interestingly, despite its widespread acclaim I’d say that Half-Blood Blues is a novel many of my literary friends haven’t read – and should! This book changed the way I read. It immediately became one of my all times favourites. Edugyan surprised me in many ways and Half-Blood Blues turned into a story I wasn’t expecting and, interestingly, needed to read at the time. Half-Blood Blues reveals a side of war I hadn’t experienced in history or literature and it entranced and enveloped me. Good Reads puts it beautifully: “the best-selling, award-winning Half-Blood Blues is an entrancing, electric story about jazz, race, love and loyalty, and the sacrifices we ask of ourselves, and demand of others, in the name of art”.

4.) For your Eccentrically Eclectic Friend - The Door – Margaret Atwood

The Door

Unfortunately, you can’t give poetry to just anyone in this day and age, but hopefully, like me, you have a friend that truly appreciates the poetic side of life. If they have an appreciation of poetry or Atwood The Door will be an excellent choice. Atwood turned me on to poetry in grade twelve with her poem You Fit into Me (if you haven’t read it – go read it right now) and I’ve loved her poetry (and poetry in general) ever since. I studied The Door in a seminar class with Dionne Brand (get jealous and stay that way – it was a life changing semester) and I highly recommend the collection. As Good Reads explains, The Door: “investigate[s] the mysterious writing of poetry itself, as well as the passage of time and our shared sense of mortality”. As I said, choose the receiver of this gift wisely and it could be the perfect present.

5.) For your Dad – In the Skin of a Lion – Michael Ondaatje 
 

In The Skin of a Lion

My dad’s a reader, but I challenge you to try this book out on yours even if he isn’t. Ondaatje is a true wordsmith and In the Skin of a Lion is enchanting because of the effortless use of storytelling and language.  In the Skin of a Lion is a captivating read because of Ondaatje's use of poetic language and the way the text compels the reader to “figure it out” from the very beginning. In The Skin of a Lion explains Toronto's unspoken past and combines history, mystery and adventure to explore the sinister underside involved in building Canada’s biggest city in the 1920s.  

6.) For Your Aunt or Uncle that you simply can’t Shop For – The Shipping News – Annie Proulx

The Shipping News begins with the slowly imploding life of Quoyle a newspaper press room worker from New York State who relocates to his ancestral home on the coast of Newfoundland with his two daughters after being deserted by his ex-wife Petal. The family’s relocation is the beginning of a mid-life turnaround that allows Quoyle to find his place in the world and what Goodreads calls his “struggle to reclaim his life”. I absolutely love books set on the coast and The Shipping News is possibly the best. A guaranteed crowd pleasing read for any family member you simply can’t shop for.

7.) For your Mom – Latitudes of Melt – Joan Clark

Latitudes of Melt

Okay, now I’m on a Newfoundland kick. Latitudes of Melt is one of my mom’s favourite "finds" aka she found in in my bookshelf. I studied this book in a Can lit course during my Undergrad. Written by the author of An Audience of Chairs, Latitudes of Melt is a mom-pleasing, character driven story about a baby, later re-named Aurora, who is found floating off the coast of Newfoundland after the Titanic sinks. She is adopted and raised by a family in Newfoundland and later raises her own family there. The book explores her entire life until old age when she is finally convinced that she should explore her origins and find out where she came from.

8.) For your Brother or Brother in Law – Homage to Catalonia – George Orwell

Homage to Catalonia

The only book my brother has ever read is 1984. Okay, that’s probably not true but it is the only book he has ever liked, and he only read it because his high school curriculum made him. My parents had two children and our strengths are literally split down the middle; I am an English major who loves reading, writing, art, yoga, animals and nature and my brother in an Engineer who excels in science and math and plays sports… for fun (if you can believe that). I have chosen Homage to Catalonia because of my brother’s lack luster reading resume (his only weak resume, I might add, the kid is a genius). He liked Orwell, I think, because Orwell catches readers off guard and captures their interest before they have a chance to put the book down. Even most non-readers have gotten through Animal Farm and have had to stop and think about it. That’s a pretty amazing feat considering Animal Farm is often read around grade ten when boys are possibly at their most boy-ish. Homage to Catalonia is a lesser known Orwell which depicts his experience in the Spanish Civil War where he served on the Aragon front for a hundred and fifteen days and was at one point shot through the throat in battle. In typical Orwell fashion he replies to the people who said he was the “lucky man to have survived being shot in the throat” that it would be “luckier not to have been shot at all”. This book is rich in history, and although it doesn’t showcase typical wartime action, the politics and strife are evident on every page and I promise the reader will learn a lot (I did!).  

9.) For your Friend who has Read All the Classics – Wide Sargasso Sea – Jean Rhys 

Wide Sargasso Sea

Give this book to someone who has read the classics, loves the Brontës and Austen, but also appreciates good contemporary fiction (like us!). Don’t give this book to a classics-snob (I’ve met several of them – it’s not attractive – why are they your friend, anyway?) because they will be an asshole about it. I re-read Jane Eyre before embarking on Wide Sargasso Sea and I loved the entire experience! It gave me a chance to re-fresh on one of my top-five favourite Classics of all time and gave me a breath of fresh air and a new perspective on the story. Rhys explores Antoinette Bertha Cosway, Mr. Rochester’s mysterious captive and “madwoman” in Jane Eyre and crafts a unique and compelling tale set in 1830s Jamaica.

10.) For Anyone - Longbourn - Jo Baker 

Longbourn

I admit, I haven't read Longbourn (yet) but I have already given it to one my best friends. It sounds wonderful, someone described it to be Downton Abbey-esque, so of course I know I'm going to like it. Like Wide Sargasso Sea Longbourn plays with the beloved, tried and true story of Pride and Prejudice. I recommend reading Pride and Prejudice first to refresh, just like I did with Wide Sargasso Sea. In fact, why not give P&P and Longbourn as a gift set? I'm going to go put Longbourn on my wish list now!

In closing, I urge you to give at least one book this holiday season! Use this book buying guide or think up your own (and if you do, make sure to share it with me!). Either way, I know that any book lover and maybe even the oddly non-bookish folk  in your life will appreciate the gesture and maybe even learn something new this holiday season!

Gotta book it,

JEM