Title: The Rosie Project
Author: Graeme Simsion
Published by– Simon & Schuster
Length: 304 pages
Plot: 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.
Favorite Quote– “Humans often fail to see what is close to them and obvious to others.”
The protagonist Don Tillman is a professor of genetics. The story unveils from his point of view. He is super organized, black belt in Akikido, fit, intelligent, successful man, with an undiagnosed Asperger syndrome. Like most people with Asperger’s syndrome, Don is perplexed by social interactions especially with women. He has friend couple, Dr Gene & his wife & Claudia. They are the ones whom Don resorts to time and again for reliable advice. An old friend of Don had once told him that he would be a great husband material and since then Don is in search to find himself an appropriate wife, he calls this search “The Wife Project”.
Rosie Jarman is a part time barmaid who is studying psychology in the same university where Don is a professor. With a minor misunderstanding and coincidence they both end up on a date. Soon after the first meet Don realizes that Rosie is not suitable for the wife project since she is perpetually late, vegetarian, smoker, etc ,which are the key factors that rule her out as an ideal candidate for the wife project. Rosie herself is on a quest of her own. She is looking out for her biological father. Don joins her in the quest. The story becomes very interesting post this.
There are lots of laugh out loud moments. The insight of Don’s mind is very amusing and witty. They way he dissects thoughts is comically appealing. It is a very light read with a predictable story trail.
If you are looking for a no brainer, humorous, well narrated book, grab this one.
Ratings– 3/5