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.
