The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion

This refreshing tale of family life portays the challenges faced by working parents. But eleven-year-old Hudson is an unusual child, so Don and Rosie have to employ creative strategies to meet his unique needs.

Reading the book evoked smiles and laughter -- after all, few kids Hudson's age can employ cogent arguments to persuade educated and responsible parents to let them spend four weeknights in a bar.

The book also provided food for thought on some big issues. Should all babies should be vaccinated? Is a formal diagnosis of autism is a help or hindrance to the child receiving it? And why is it it that, to quote Rosie, "When men are in the majority, they make the rules; when they're in a minority they get special treatment."

I also learned some arcane but potentially useful information. For instance, in his famous poem If, Kipling's inducement to carelessly gambling all with only a 50% chance of success would today be considered "a personality fault that would warrant professional intervention."

Another startling revelation was the downside to a Porsche with a turbo body -- its width gives it a higher than average "susceptibility to parking damage."

Not since reading Laural Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate had I noted a recipe from a work of fiction -- until this novel provided the impetus to try "a 45% celeriac mash."

On the suspension of disbelief front, this deep question must be entertained "Can a naturopath also be a pscyhopath?"

Finally, Minh, the co-owner of the bar, weighs with some invaluable advice. When in a moment of crisis, Rosie is tempted to  quit her job, she says, "Do your best for yourself and your dreams and the world. Forget punishing your boss." Then smiles and adds, "I would say that. I'm a boss." Her words resonate all the more powerfully for the admission.