The Rosie Project

A Novel

By: Graeme Simsion

Narrated by: 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).

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!