The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Posted: 10 Mar 2014, 18:15
This book had me laughing pretty consistently. It was a delight from front to back and I thoroughly rooted for the sweet, oblivious lead the whole way. Don Tillman is a professor of genetics in Australia who is heavily hinted as being autistic throughout. As someone with an autistic brother, I was delighted to find an Aspie in the pages of a book I paid $3.99 for on impulse. It was entirely from first person, which I normally find to be irritating. In this book, I find it fascinating. Don's a piece of work, absolutely, and I think the narrative would only work if it centered around him and his unique perspective. The way he describes people and the way he comes to conclusions - a very logical, roundabout method - is consistently hilarious. He's very blunt, very unconventional, and just someone I would love to spend an afternoon with.
Don's goal in the novel is The Wife Project, wherein he has decided that he would be excellent husband material and is at an appropriate age for marriage. As the "traditional dating paradigm" has failed him for reasons beyond his comprehension, he's decided to find the ideal companion through a questionnaire.
After a failed date or two, he makes the mistake of asking his womanizing friend Gene for help finding that perfect woman. Who else should he suggest but someone entirely unsuitable? She smokes, she's a vegetarian with qualifications, and... she's "the most beautiful woman in the world."
Her quirky realness is a great buffer for Don, and the problem he helps her solve is a very interesting way of getting the two of them to spend time together. Even when Don gets in his own way. I won't spoil it here, but it's just the best.
So, by all means, get this book! If you haven't, you need it. If you have, I'd love to hear other opinions and discuss it.
Don's goal in the novel is The Wife Project, wherein he has decided that he would be excellent husband material and is at an appropriate age for marriage. As the "traditional dating paradigm" has failed him for reasons beyond his comprehension, he's decided to find the ideal companion through a questionnaire.
After a failed date or two, he makes the mistake of asking his womanizing friend Gene for help finding that perfect woman. Who else should he suggest but someone entirely unsuitable? She smokes, she's a vegetarian with qualifications, and... she's "the most beautiful woman in the world."
Her quirky realness is a great buffer for Don, and the problem he helps her solve is a very interesting way of getting the two of them to spend time together. Even when Don gets in his own way. I won't spoil it here, but it's just the best.
So, by all means, get this book! If you haven't, you need it. If you have, I'd love to hear other opinions and discuss it.
