Monday, June 26, 2017

*Review* The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion


Genre: Contemporary Humor
Published: October 1st, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 297

Synopsis

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.

Review

I’ve seen this book often, but wasn’t really interested in actually reading. Then, earlier this year, I saw that my library had finally added the audiobook to overdrive. So I decided to put a hold on it and try it out. It took me awhile to get it, and I almost missed checking it out altogether because I didn’t notice the email. But I did get it and I started it as soon as I did.

Oh my goodness! I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But I absolutely loved this book! I ended up having to bring headphones to work with me, because I didn’t want to stop listening to it. I was hooked!

This is absolutely a nerdy romance. Although many people, in and out of the book, assume Don has Asperger’s - but this isn’t stated in the book I guess, if you want to, you can read this thinking Don has a case of high functioning Asperger’s. Or you can read it as a quirky romance. Or both even. Whatever floats your boat.

This is listed as a romantic comedy, but I didn’t really read it so much as a comedy. I found myself frustrated along with Don at the situations he found himself in because of his social awkwardness. It brought attention to how often people are not understanding or accepting of those of us who are different.

I really loved this book and the characters in it. I thought the wife project was a bad idea, but it was amusing to watching how that panned out. I especially liked how he kept saying how Rosie and him weren’t compatible. It reminded me of how often I would think and say things like that about my husband. We’ve been married almost 7 years now, by the way.

The worst part of this whole thing is that it took place in Australia (for most of it) and there wasn’t a single mention of a platypus. But I suppose I can forgive it. Just this once. But I’m putting a hold on the second book immediately, because I need to read more.

5 Platypires - Joood - Hooligan

Buy the Book


About the Author

Graeme Simsion is a former IT consultant and the author of two nonfiction books on database design who decided, at the age of fifty, to turn his hand to fiction. His first novel, The Rosie Project, was published in 2013 and translation rights have been sold in over thirty-five languages. Graeme lives in Australia with his wife, Anne, and their two children.
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