The Rosie Project

A Novel

By: Graeme Simsion

Narrated by: Dan O'Grady

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

A 2018 RUSA “Listen-Alike” for ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE

©2013 Graeme Simsion (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Hilarious and Moving

Main character Don will worm his way into your heart. Annoying, unsympathetic, weird and off-putting, he is also brilliant and committed to self-improvement. His journey from lonely bachelor to married man is unfettered by social awareness and is therefore hilarious and painful at the same time. BUT ... you will love this man and root for him every step of the way.

One of my favorite characters in decades of book-reading.

Excellent narrator.

Very cute, a bit predictable.

This is a simple and feel good listen. Not the deepest story but certainly entertaining. Enjoyable

I fell in love with Don.

Rosie, I fell in love with Don too. Don works like we all do to figure out the best way to be in the world. The accounts of his process are funny, honorable, sweet and heartwarming. I know that I will listen to this book again but for now I'm on to the next book, Don Tilman #2.

Fun, entertaining, intelligent!

Would you listen to The Rosie Project again? Why?

I would listen again just for the excellent writing and for the pleasure of seeing how the author handles the layers of awareness -- and lack of it -- among his characters.

What does Dan O'Grady bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator captures the nuances of a highly intelligent individual whose Asperger's syndrome makes him acutely aware of some things and completely blind to others! The voice is persuasive and elicits empathy.

Any additional comments?

The book is populated with smart, authentic characters. Silly misunderstandings and feuds don't occur. The main character, one sees early on, has Asperger's. His enlightenment and self-awareness grows as he finds love, and he figures out a way to be himself, only better.

Wonderfully entertaining

The story was reliably funny and sad. Changes how one might think of others. Interesting parallels and not.

Live through the eyes of a man with Aspberger's

Where does The Rosie Project rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

An entertaining, funny, light read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character because he was productive, blunt and free from worrying about others' feelings.

What about Dan O'Grady’s performance did you like?

The narrator's voice is just how I would have imagined the main character's to be, so it was right on.

Any additional comments?

After reading The Storyteller for Book Club, the group requested a fun, light read for our next book. It was my turn to select the book, so I asked my Facebook friends for suggestions. After researching all of the suggestions, the storyline of this one appealed to me most. The book didn't disappoint. I hope the rest of my book club liked it as much as I did.

What a story!

Wildly addicting and entertaining. A smart read. You've got to meet Don Tillman and all his quirks and behaviors. Brilliant...simply brilliant!

Best book in a long time!

I absolutely loved this quirky book. The main character, Don, is unlike anyone I have ever read about--and Rosie his perfect compliment. Give this a try, you will not be disappointed!

Adventures in Autism

Where does The Rosie Project rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I thought that the book was so fascinating in an extremely 'light-hearted' way. Autism is not a subject to be taken lightly. It manifests itself in so many different ways. This character was such a likable and sympathetic, (without being pitiful), example of how autism need not always be the 'curse' it is presented as in the mainstream . . . but a 'gift of sorts' . . . with the right folks to support and handle one gently . . . . and with respect.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rosie Project?

I was especially interested in the character's slow recognition of his own 'condition'. Portions of the story that emphasized that, held my curiosity.

What does Dan O'Grady bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I felt that Dan brought a humanity to the character, that allowed the reader to ease into the character's 'diagnosis'. Very clever that the main character was actually involved in studying autism . . . but never actually seemed to realize that he HAD it!

If you could rename The Rosie Project, what would you call it?

Hmmmmmmmm . . . good question. !

Amazing! Overwhelming!

The story was recommended to me by my father, told me that I will like it more than I usually like books.. Boy he was right. I related and empathized with the characters, and I was waiting to finish work so I can drive home and listen on my way.