The Rosie Project

A Novel

De: Graeme Simsion

Narrado por: Dan O'Grady

The international bestselling romantic comedy “bursting with warmth, emotional depth, and…humor,” (Entertainment Weekly) featuring the oddly charming, socially challenged genetics professor, Don, as he seeks true love.

The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers.

Rosie Jarman possesses all these qualities. Don easily disqualifies her as a candidate for The Wife Project (even if she is “quite intelligent for a barmaid”). But Don is intrigued by Rosie’s own quest to identify her biological father. When an unlikely relationship develops as they collaborate on The Father Project, Don is forced to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie―and the realization that, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love, it finds you.

Arrestingly endearing and entirely unconventional, Graeme Simsion’s distinctive debut “navigates the choppy waters of adult relationships, both romantic and platonic, with a fresh take (USA TODAY). “Filled with humor and plenty of heart, The Rosie Project is a delightful reminder that all of us, no matter how we’re wired, just want to fit in” (Chicago Tribune).

Not a typical romance - so much more

I fell in love with this story in the first 30 minutes, stayed up late listening, and grabbed every free minute until I finished it.

The book mentions the movie "As Good As It Gets," which is the quickest way to provide an idea of its premise; however, I enjoyed it so much more than 'As Good.' A scientific professor, Don Tillman, doesn't recognize Asperger's syndrome in himself, even though he can see it in others. He just knows that he doesn't fit in. The book's main characters are all flawed, but likable, in this humorous, touching story of a man who bravely challenges himself to find happiness. His journey to self-awareness took me on a fun, poignant journey of my own.

I didn't notice the narrator until he attempted an American accent (the story takes place in Australia), but it did not bother me - somehow it only added to the charm of the story.

I will be listening to this one again - and looking for more Simsion titles.

What a recorded book should be

What made the experience of listening to The Rosie Project the most enjoyable?

The combination of the story line and the excellent reader

What did you like best about this story?

The oddball's search for love.

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

Everything. Good pacing, Excellent voicing

If you could take any character from The Rosie Project out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Rosie. I want to know what she is like and what drew her to Don

Any additional comments?

This is what an audio book should be like. I have countless books in my library that I could not listen to due to overly smooth inflections or ridiculous over-enunciation. If I could get past the voice, the problems with the story are often too much for me. The Rosie Project combined an entertaining story with a light heart and excellent voicing. I will be searching a long time before I find another one of these.

Funny and Upbeat!

See, I am a sucker for the oddballs, the awkward, and the loners.

Poor Don Tillman . . . He just can't attract a mate. Sure, on paper he is a catch: intelligent, physically fit, a great cook, an apartment with a balcony and an amazing view, but it just isn't working. Sure, he gets approached, goes out on plenty first dates; it's the second dates that are hard to come by. A smooth operator he is not. He isn't, as they say, a people person. In fact, he is downright awkward, prone to say the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. His problem: he doesn't pick up on social cues, that tacit knowledge of social interaction most of us picked up on when we are children. And while it is true that some of us are better than others at picking up on these social ticks, almost all of us are better at it than our Don.

But at least he knows he has this problem and he is determined to not let that hinder him from achieving his goal and being the scientist that he is he comes up with a plan: the Wife Project.

What follows next is the stuff of romantic comedies. Is it a bit formulaic? Sure. But then again so was "When Harry Met Sally." And that doesn't stop it from being one of my favorite movies. You go in knowing where it is all going to end. The payoff is in the journey not necessarily the destination. And it is as whimsical and fun as just about anything you will read this year.

Entertaining listen

It took me a little while to get into the book, but I'm glad I stuck with it and really enjoyed the quirkiness of the characters.

Delightful

A witty, fresh and most entertaining summer read! In all his quirkiness Don is most endearing