Perfectly Adequate

Expect the unexpected!

One of the many things I love about this author is that she doesn’t write conventional stories with stereotypical characters. I also love her ability to surprise me, and I’ve quickly come to realise that you should assume nothing when it comes to her wonderful storytelling.

I enjoy Ms. Ann’s quirky sense of humour very much and so anticipated the comedy, the offbeat and laugh out loud moments liberally sprinkled throughout this story. However, what I didn’t foresee was the truly spectacular character that is Dorothy Mayhem and I applaud this author for the way she has captured Dorothy’s spirit, her true self. Sometimes shocking in her actions and her honesty, being on the autism spectrum she sees and interprets the world in a different way to the majority of the people around her. She is the ultimate survival expert.

“The lesson for the night? Expect the unexpected—whiplash with a deadpan delivery”

There’s no malice to her, she says what she means and means what she says. Her actions are always meant with the best of intentions, even when they have the possibility, or risk, of a less than stellar outcome. She has so many thoughts in her mind but she’s very frugal when it comes to articulating those thoughts. It’s very simple for Dorothy. Why use half a dozen words when one will do. Okay?

“In her world, everyone is equal. And words are poor expressions of feelings. I could just stand in a room with her, not saying a single word, and feel deliriously happy”

I did, however, struggle to completely get on board with the romantic relationship between Dorothy and Elijah. I liked Elijah but I didn’t love him in the same way I’ve loved this author’s previous male characters. Dorothy’s extreme need for routine in her life made it difficult for me to understand how she would be able to maintain a romantic relationship without alienating her partner, no matter how understanding he was. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that she didn’t deserve whatever kind of relationship she wished to have. Maybe I’m just not giving Elijah enough credit. He’s clearly capable of feeling and expressing his deep love for those who own his heart. I guess if it works, it works and if they’re happy, that’s all that matters in the end. No judgment on that score from me.

I really liked the supporting characters, including Elijah’s ex-wife Julie. I think it would be easy to see her as the villain here, but for me this author did a fantastic job of presenting her as real and relatable and I actually had great sympathy for her. Dorothy’s parents are simply wonderful and I snort laughed at their subliminal communication when it came to initiating adult time!

Perfectly Adequate is a wonderful, funny, yet touching, thought provoking read, one which I devoured from beginning to end.