The Rosie Project

A Novel

By: Graeme Simsion

Narrated by: Dan O'Grady

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

Credit worthy

Excellent story with outstanding narration. Don has Aspergers, is a respected genetics professor at a prestigious Australian university and wants to find a wife. The story is told from Don's point of view and is everything I want in a story including a twist at the end. Social norms and subtle nuances of adult interactions baffle Don and lead to amusing prose. Fun, light read.

Best book I've read in years!

It's exceedingly rare to find a novel like this one that's well-plotted, suspenseful, offers unique and engaging characters--and is also hilarious. The audible version is further enhanced by the acting gifts and intonation of the narrator, who's perfect for depicting a main character who's burdened (or is it gifted?) with Aspergers Syndrome. Although touted as a romantic comedy, "The Rosie Project" is ultimately about the communication problems we ALL encounter as the result of the extraordinary complexity of human social conventions. What I loved most about the book is its subtle yet powerful optimism about our ability to re-engineer even our most deeply engrained and/or genetically wired coping mechanisms when they no longer work for us.

Everything's Rosie

Very cute easy listen. Picture an Aussie Sheldon /Spock who logically deduces that he should marry but hates wasting his time on incompatible women so he designs the perfect test to find the perfect wife. In walks the delightfull Rosie with a project of her own, who, if she were taking the test, would utterly flunk it. When you are in the mood for something that will make you smile, read this!

"I can eliminate most women in less than 40 secs"

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

This is definitely in my listen again list. BTW Audible should create a lists option in the app. Don is such a lovably infuriating guy who will simultaneously make you laugh and a little sad.

Which scene was your favorite?

The speed dating scene was really funny. "I've sequenced the questions for maximum speed of elimination,’ I explained. ‘I believe I can eliminate most women in less than forty seconds. Then you can choose the topic of discussion for the remaining time."

Also everytime time he correctly (bc obviously he would never be wrong) determines someone's BMI I chuckled.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Questions for the "Wife Project".

Any additional comments?

The narration is superb and a follow up story to...well, if I tell you that would spoil the fun, would be awesome. This quirky book will make your heart melt and your face hurt from smiling and laughing.

Loved this one!

Engaging writing and marvelous narration moved this one into the Definitely Recommend category. Listen and enjoy!

Hilarious!

What did you love best about The Rosie Project?

Don has a quirky view of life. Every single person I know has some Don traits. I laughed and laughed because Don never sees his own faults and is just impossible to deal with, until Rosie comes along.

The project, the teaching, the food schedule and more all make me laugh because a part of each of us is in Don. Ultimately the only thing he desires is to be needed and loved. Isn't that what all of us want?

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

The voice lent credibility to the character. Awesome performance!

Any additional comments?

Listen with someone else, the giggles will cause you to stop and collect yourself from time to time.

Loved all of it!

Wonderful story of self discovery and message of acceptance for people as they are. Couldn’t turn it off.

Laugh Out Loud Hilarious!

I had not heard of this book before purchasing, but the description sounded intriguing. I have never laughed so hard while driving to work. The narrator captured the clueless nature of the protagonist perfectly. I haven't finished the book yet, but have already recommended it to several friends and can't wait to listen to the sequel!

Great Read

I loved The Rosie Project. It was so entertaining. I really sympathized with Don--who couldn't sympathize himself. It was just a great book and the narration by Dan O'Grady was perfect.

Interesting story and brilliantly performed

I loved the narrator, with his Australian accent. He made the story authentic and interesting.