The Rosie Project

By: Graeme Simsion

Narrated by: Dan O'Grady

'Marvellous' John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
'Adorable... A gem of a book' Marian Keyes

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is a story about love, life and lobsters...

Meet Don Tillman.
Don is getting married.
He just doesn't know who to yet.
But he has designed a very detailed questionnaire to help him find the perfect woman.
One thing he already knows, though, is that it's not Rosie.
Absolutely, completely, definitely not.

Telling the story of Rosie and Don, Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project is an international phenomenon, sold in over thirty countries - and counting.

Don Tillman is a socially challenged genetics professor who's decided the time has come to find a wife. His questionnaire is intended to weed out anyone who's unsuitable. The trouble is, Don has rather high standards and doesn't really do flexible so, despite lots of takers - he looks like Gregory Peck - he's not having much success in identifying The One.
When Rosie Jarman comes to his office, Don assumes it's to apply for the Wife Project - and duly discounts her on the grounds she smokes, drinks, doesn't eat meat, and is incapable of punctuality. However, Rosie has no interest in becoming Mrs Tillman and is actually there to enlist Don's assistance in a professional capacity: to help her find her biological father.
Sometimes, though, you don't find love: love finds you...

Like The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is a truly distinctive debut. With the charm of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the romance of David Nicholls' One Day, it's both funny and endearing - and is set to become the feel-good novel of 2013...

Graeme Simsion is a full-time writer. Previously an IT consultant and educator, he wrote his first book in 1994 (the standard reference on data modelling, now entering its fourth edition), and is married to Anne, a professor of psychiatry who writes erotic fiction. They have two children.

Critic reviews

Funny, charming and heart-warming, this debut is a gem of a novel about a rather awkward university professor's search for love. I loved this unconventional romance

Full of quirky humour and touching tenderness. Imagine the love child of Eleanor Oliphant and Bridget Jones and you have this book

Such a joy to read - I honestly can't think of many books that I enjoyed more. It's the definition of a comfort book - an easy and warm read with a lot of heart, and it made me laugh out loud more than any book before

Brisk, funny, and at times outrageous . . . A completely charming story that is as engaging as it is funny

Charming and hilarious

A unique and heartwarming exploration of love and neurodiversity.

Adorable . . . Really funny and heart-warming, a gem of a book

Marvellous. Don Tillman is as awkward and confusing a narrator as he is lovable and charming

I absolutely loved The Rosie Project -- original and clever, and perfectly written.The world is going to fall in love with Don and Rosie

Don Tillman is my favourite new protagonist in all of contemporary fiction. This man will exasperate, delight and immerse you in a world so original, in a story so compelling, I defy you not to read through the night. Glorious

Fabulous book...don't hesitate, just buy it.

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

Storyline, characters, narrator...the whole package.

What did you like best about this story?

The humour - laugh out loud moments. Very Australian humour though, so be warned if you are not an Aussie as it may be a bit parochial.

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

His voice is perfect for the character Don. I wish I could find more books narrated by him.

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

Don. He's an absolute gem...read it and see why!

Any additional comments?

This book was chosen for our bookclub and I was dubious about it when I read the blurb...but it is right up there in my top book selection.

Enjoyable RomCom

Nice book and story, the evolution of the main character was entertaining and the ending, romcom formulaic but nicely done.

Laugh Out Loud

If you could sum up The Rosie Project in three words, what would they be?

What a powerful insight into how some people think. Absolutely loved this.

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

He really makes you feel like you're listening to the main character himself. Well read.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of laughing.

An aussie gem

I loved the Rosie Project. I laughed and I cried. A story that will touch your heart on so many levels and for so many different reasons

Nerds Rule

A really delightful story where the marginalised triumph. Listen for pure pleasure as the rule bound hero makes his way toward a fully rounded life, detecting a suitable partner in a scientific fashion while dodging the bullets of academic political machinations so familiar to anybody connected to a university. I cant wait for the film. Especially for the golf club dinner episode.