The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project

Graeme Simsion

Genre: Romance

Summary (from Goodreads):  An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love.

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

The Rosie Project is a moving and hilarious novel for anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Marcie's Review: This is a quirky yet charming love story that was so much fun to read.  The main character reminded me of Dr. Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, except that I was glad to find he was more self-aware and showed more willingness to be flexible.  Don was such an unexpectedly funny cutie-pie of a man; I just loved him!  I had a hard time figuring out how to categorize this book, and I ended up deciding it was a romance, but it was the most unique romance I've ever read; plus, it was written by a man, from a man's perspective.  I would definitely read this book again.

I read a few reviews that gave this book a low rating because the readers felt the author was being too jokey or stereotypical about Aspergers.  I don't have any personal experience with Aspergers, but I felt like Don's point of view gave me a little insight into how people with Aspergers think.

Becky's Review: I really enjoyed this book and I very much loved the quirkiness of the characters.  I loved the insight into Don's life and how structured it was.  But I didn't love all the other characters.  With how much Don relied on Claudia and Gene, I felt like they were fairly shallow characters and were lacking feelings.  Don changes at the end and confronts Gene and I feel like that came from nowhere.  But the 2 main characters were very fun and their antics were quite hilarious.  This was a light, enjoyable read.

Marcie's Rating: 5 stars

Becky's Rating: 4 stars