Yesterday evening, my former boss came to pick me up. Together we drove over the hill to attend "Book talk and signing with the author of the Rosie project" at Orchard City Banquet Hall, Campbell Community Center.
It was an eye-opening experience for me on many levels. First of all, my former colleague is doing really well at Santa Clara County Library. She organized the book talk event, which was so successful with the fully packed hall that Graeme Simsion, the author, could not help recalling his first Rosie project signing in an Australian rural library. His independent book seller took only ten copies for the event, but was still unsure if he could sell them all.
Secondly, the Rosie project (and its sequel the Rosie effect) is the first book to be officially acknowledged by the Asperger's syndrome community, due to the author's accurate and sympathetic approach towards people who suffer from the disorder. He never laughs at them, but with them, making them proud enough to come out of closet. The author draws his sympathy largely from his background and interaction with fellow programers, a code name for people with Asperger's syndrome in the late 70s, when there were no official courses for computer science.
Born in New Zealand, Graeme was told that he had written the best essay at age of 13, but disillusioned soon after that he was not smart enough to be a physicist, especially not in the field of quantum physics. Working as a computer programer in Australia, he was soon approached by Don who wanted to do a MBA with him, for they had shared "the same problem." Although Don never earned his MBA degree as the author did, they had been staying in touch. The author witnessed Don's troubled marriage, but dedication to the same woman after she was sick for more than two decades. Care-taking made Don's life worth living. Through Don's life, he also saw the unhelpful labeling of Asperger's when psychologists mislabeled their patients in the early days.
Thirdly, the author, Graeme Simsio, delivered his book talk like a real comedian. He thinks that the key to a good story is that it can make you cry, make you laugh and make you think. During his writing, he likes to plan by writing on cards. His advice on overcoming writer's block: lower one's standards, and write anyway.
Last but not least, I had a peasant reunion with my former boss and colleague. I even got a nice gift pin of three girls to remember the occasion with.
Secondly, the Rosie project (and its sequel the Rosie effect) is the first book to be officially acknowledged by the Asperger's syndrome community, due to the author's accurate and sympathetic approach towards people who suffer from the disorder. He never laughs at them, but with them, making them proud enough to come out of closet. The author draws his sympathy largely from his background and interaction with fellow programers, a code name for people with Asperger's syndrome in the late 70s, when there were no official courses for computer science.
Born in New Zealand, Graeme was told that he had written the best essay at age of 13, but disillusioned soon after that he was not smart enough to be a physicist, especially not in the field of quantum physics. Working as a computer programer in Australia, he was soon approached by Don who wanted to do a MBA with him, for they had shared "the same problem." Although Don never earned his MBA degree as the author did, they had been staying in touch. The author witnessed Don's troubled marriage, but dedication to the same woman after she was sick for more than two decades. Care-taking made Don's life worth living. Through Don's life, he also saw the unhelpful labeling of Asperger's when psychologists mislabeled their patients in the early days.
Thirdly, the author, Graeme Simsio, delivered his book talk like a real comedian. He thinks that the key to a good story is that it can make you cry, make you laugh and make you think. During his writing, he likes to plan by writing on cards. His advice on overcoming writer's block: lower one's standards, and write anyway.
Last but not least, I had a peasant reunion with my former boss and colleague. I even got a nice gift pin of three girls to remember the occasion with.
