The Rosie Project has been reviewed a few times on Cannonball Read, so I’ll see if I can add anything new. Like most of those who read it, I thought it was a really cute, funny story. I read the whole thing in a day, and just loved it. I am kind of disappointed that a sequel appears to be in the works — seems unnecessary!
“But I’m not good at understanding what other people want.’
‘Tell me something I don’t know,’ said Rosie for no obvious reason.
I quickly searched my mind for an interesting fact.
‘Ahhh…The testicles of drone bees and wasp spiders explode during sex.”
Don Tillman is a genetics professor with what is probably some degree of Asperger’s (although he doesn’t realize it, even when presented with other examples of the syndrome). He has never been on a second date, despite his good looks and intelligence, because he has no idea how to talk to women (or people in general, really). Don, however, blames the women he tries dating.
He formulates a plan: he’ll create a list of questions to present candidates with, and therefore, weed out the poor choices. His friend, however, throws a girl named Rosie into the mix who fits basically none of Don’s criteria. In an effort to help her solve a mystery of her own, they get involved and (spoiler alert!) fall in love.
Like I said, it’s a cute story. Don’s basically a more likeable Sheldon, and Rosie’s a harsher twist on a MPDG. But it’s a fun read – sweet without being too sweet – and I liked Simsion’s writing. One note — they were on a plane to NYC before I realized that the damn book takes place in Australia.
