Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

4 Star

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.


Sabrina-Kate - 4 Star

I had been wanting to read The Rosie Project for awhile because it did have quite the hype surrounding it. I remember when it came out, at least in Canada, I received multiple emails regarding it and saw it on every HOT list. I really should realize by now that good PR doesn't necessarily mean I will agree.

Now don't get me wrong; I did enjoy this book a lot but I don't think it necessarily deserved all of the accolades it received. The book was well written with a very interesting perspective on things as it dealt with someone with some obvious social (or perhaps mental) issues trying to find a wife. The main character reminded me a lot of Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory - someone who believed in the power of science in every situation and even tried to apply it socially which didn't work out in his favor a lot of the time.
I found myself questioning whether or not he was autistic. I am not sure if the book mentioned it and I went back to see if it did but couldn't find it. I am pretty sure it was what they were alluding to but I couldn't be quite sure which sort of bothered me as I like to know the facts.

The story itself was quite charming in an awkward way but I suppose that was probably the point. Despite the almost strange and uncomfortable feeling the story gave me at times, Don was very likable despite himself and I found the pacing of the book to be excellent. The story flowed very naturally and I also enjoyed how things came together at the end which is a very important detail to me.

The Rosie Project probably isn't for everyone as you would have to enjoy something a little offbeat, but it was a good read that was a little out of the ordinary just like Don himself.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for our review copy. All opinions are our own. 

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