Contemporary Romance Review: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads
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.
 Amazon  US/UK(£3.49) | Amazon kindle US($1.99)/UK(£3.18) | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

9/10

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What an awesome read, ladies and gents! I've been hearing things about this book for awhile. My friend, Joy, mentioned it, and it's even participated in Goodreads Best Reads for 2013, so obviously something was done right.

The main character, Don, is a geneticist with an Asperger's Syndrome. In many ways he is a genius, but what is typical for people diagnosed with Asperger's he thinks and acts completely different from the rest of us. His days are meticulously scheduled by the minute, his life is completely logical, touch disturbs him, emotions throw his system into a shut down. What Don realises though, is that he is lonely, and in a typical manner for him he embarks onto The Wife Project.

A lot of hilarity ensues, especially when he meets what one of his only two friends calls "a wild card". Rosie is a fiery, red headed, alternative, free-thinking, chain-smoking and drinking bartender - everything he doesn't want in his life partner, and... she is perfect for him.

Rosie on the other hand is obsessed with finding her biological father, and inexplicably Don tries to help her by collecting DNA of 30+ potential fathers illegally and amorally. So what if on the way to their goal, Don has to learn how to mix cocktails or dance tango? It's... surprisingly fun. Most fun he had in years.

This book is wonderful, touching, funny, very romantic and a tad sad, because while the reader giggles over Don's adventures, he still feels for him and his struggles in this strange, irrational world. Highly recommended.

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Какая просто милейшая, романтичная, смешная и немного грустная книга!

Я думаю, что не зря её выдвинули на награду Goodreads Best Reads 2013, видимо что-то автор сделал правильно при написании этой книги.

Главный герой - Дон, генетик и университетский профессор с синдромом Аспергера. Что типично для этого диагноза, он не умеет общаться с людьми и не понимает эмоции, а физический контакт вообще заставляет его сильно паниковать. Однако несмотря на свою логически построенную жизнь и тщательно расписанный по минутам распорядок дня, Дон - одинок. Понимая это, он в характерной для него манере начинает Проект Жена, надеясь с помощью большого опросника найти для себя партнёра по жизни.

И Дон встречает Рози, которую его друг описывает как "шальную карту". Рози - бьющая эмоциями, рыжеволосая, постоянно курящая барменша, которая пытается найти своего биологического отца. И неожиданно для себя генетик Дон начинает ей в этом помогать.

Ну и что с того, что парочке надо найти 30 с лишним потенциальных кандидатур и нелегально и аморально взять с них ДНК? Ну и что с того, что мимоходом Дону приходится научиться размешивать коктейли и танцевать танго? Он так не веселился целую вечность!

Очень романтично, смешно и в то же время грустно. Невозможно не переживать за Дона и не желать ему завоевать свою Рози. Превосходная, умная книга, которую я очень рекомендую. А под конец её можно даже заполнить опросник по Проекту Жена!