I was so excited to participate in the BlogHop for Aussie Owned & Read! It's always cool to participate with other writer types. Scroll waaaay down to see the other blogs that are participating and enter a give away to win a copy of Game Plan or some other awesome prize.
The prompt we were given was to write about an Australian author or book, 'anything Aussie', which offered up the first problem because a quick Google search revealed I hadn't read any Australian authors. The second problem is apparently I can't do timezone math and was away for a hockey tournament so my blog entry is late - hopefully not too late! (Sorry!)
Can't solve the second problem without Hermione's time turner but the first problem solved itself. I started a book late last week and as I read I realized the 'countryside' wasn't US and the cities weren't American. It really hit me when the characters needed an 18hour flight to get to New York - wait a minute. I double checked and one of the details I had glossed over is the home city of Melbourne. FYI that's in Australia. A search on GoodReads discovered the author claims to be a New Zealand born Astralian. Lucky Break!
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is a novel that hit close to home and close to the heart. It's narrated by Don, a professor of genetics who initiates a research project to find the ultimate match for his wife. Don himself knows he's different, acknowledges he's socially awkward and inflexible but doesn't make that next step to realize the characteristics of Asperger's he discusses in his lecture line up well with his own traits. Then Don meets Rosie, a woman who fails his questionnaire in every aspect but who catches his attention. There's nothing surprizing about the story, but it's sweet predictability is comforting and safe - the perfect relaxing read to curl up with on a weekend afternoon.
There wasn't much in The Rosie Project that made it stand out as Australian. In a few places Simsion compares language of Aussie's and Americans - elevator vs. lift - and I caught a few reference to 'jumpers', but there was no room in the story or the character for a discussion on Australian history or architecture in Melbourne. It would have been nice to learn more through the book, but not at the expense of a story that is pretty close to perfect as it is.
Thank you for including me in your BlogHop and for forgiving this Canadian for being tardy in my contribution. Go get a copy of The Rosie Project next time you want a story that goes straight to the heart without extra brain effort.
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