Beware Dandelions!
TheDandelion Project, by Maria Miller, is the story of a self-taught young scientist. Josef, an orphan who came to Kansas on the last Orphan Train, has never done well socially, or in school. He is forced to leave school, and spends his spare time reading everything about science and math that he can find in the library. Eventually, Josef and his new bride move to New Orleans, and he continues his process of self-education in the Tulane University library -- as well as in the labs that he cleans. His “studies” are assisted by a mysterious stranger, who later has a research job for Josef. . . .
Josef’s story is fascinating. Were he to live today, his single-minded interests and social awkwardness would probably result in a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. I found myself wanting him to succeed, and wishing the best for both Josef and his wife Grace.
Unfortunately, I found myself distracted by the lack of attention to some details -- the use of the term GMO, for example, decades before I believe it was actually used. I was also bothered by the evident lack of proofreading; several errors seem to have slipped past Ms. Miller’s spell-check. Finally, I felt that the writing style was inconsistent.
This was a book with a lot of promise, and one that kept me reading.
***I received this book free of charge, in return for an honest review.***