The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
(Format used for this read: Print–paperback)
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.
This has been on my “need to read” list for YEARS, yall.
LITERALLY.
I’ve had so many different bookworm friends recommend this book to me and I just never really listened to them and prioritized it….my bad, yall. 😬
I came across this book (and it’s sequel!)at a local used book store recently (shout out to Patrick Paperbacks!) and got both for a GREAT deal….so the time finally arrived for me to see what the fuss is all about.
I was in the mood for a kind of light, kind of easy to read story…and I thought this would hit the spot.
While not ALL of it was light and easy, for the most part it was a quirky little rom-com that was entertaining and funny with a main character who was eccentric, interesting and charming in his own way.
Don has a plethora of personality characteristics that someone with Asperger’s may stereotypically possess, although it is never distinctly confirmed that he does indeed have the syndrome. …but I do feel like it is strongly implied.
The whole book is written from Don’s point of view and was very unique and fascinating to read…the way he sees the world, the way his brain processes information, the way he views humor and interactions and relationships.
Obviously the whole premise of the book is a romantic comedy vibe, but it does explore the dynamics of other relationships as well, like friendships, co workers and immediate family members.
There’s lots of giggles to be had…and you’re not laughing AT Don. Quite the contrary. Most of the time you are laughing WITH him at the ridiculousness of so many things we do as humans in how we communicate with each other.
You’ll have a few frustrating anger moments when things go wonky and a few heart tugging moments too when things go wonky in a different way(what kind of rom-com would this BE without a wide range of emotions???)
But the thing that remains the same is you always are rooting for Don.
(He reminds me a bit of Eleanor Oliphant…except more likeable lol)
And omg….the entire questionairre he comes up with to “screen” potential mates is THE BEST…and honestly kind of genius.🤣
But we all know that most of the time in love we end up with someone complete opposite of what we THINK we want!
I won’t give you any spoilers but Don’s journey is QUITE the adventure!
While I was reading though, I began wondering if the author did indeed have personal experience with Asperger’s, either himself or a loved one or thru extensive research.
As soon as I was done reading, I had to look up the author and see what he had to say about it.
So then I also wondered what people with Asperger’s thought about this book…if they viewed this narrative as a positive or negative portrayal.
Because I feel weird sometimes when people write from perspectives that aren’t their own, even in works of fiction.
Like is it their story to tell? Even if the story is made up? Are they stealing the mic (or pen) from someone else’s voice or experience and capitalizing on it?
So…. I went down a huge research rabbit hole, as I tend to do frequently with these types of things lol
This was taken from a blog interview with the author:
Although never explicitly stated, Simsion has nodded to Don’s “social insufficiencies” as Asperger’s syndrome or autism. As “The Rosie Project” is a comedic work, Simsion has been questioned over the use of Asperger’s/autism as a central point of humor. Simsion pushes back on this.
“Don is a person with big strengths (high intelligence) and weaknesses (poor social skills),” Simsion said. “I see him as atypical rather than disabled. Most stories, drama or comedy, require the hero to overcome a weakness to achieve their goal. Comedy arises when the hero is seriously under-equipped for the journey. And sometimes Don’s view of the world makes more sense than ours. So far, the novel has been very well received by people with Asperger’s, their families and organizations … No doubt there will be other views but if the book prompts discussion, all the better.”
And it’s a mixed bag on the Interwebs from people with Asperger’s who have publicly stated their opinions on the book….but honestly, most of the ones I found were positive and appreciated all 3 of the books in the series.
From a couple blogs:
“Nevertheless, the book delivers the highly positive message that autists are not just capable of love, but of also being loved in return- and by neurotypicals no less (shock, horror! 😛 ), and I would highly recommend a read of it “
“The Rosie project trilogy is fantastic. Read them through once, then listened to them on audiobook. Very nice full arc of being who you are, navigating differences, courting challenges, missteps along the way, and ultimately embracing who you are.”
So I’m getting the vibe that this book (and the other two after it) has not been greatly damaging to the Asperger community and is also making some people feel seen and appreciated in a positive way.
I’m totes down with that.
I really enjoyed the book a whole lot and started in on the second right away.
So stay tuned to see what I think as Don’s story continues…..