The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion ~ 2013. This edition: Harper Collins, 2013. Softcover. ISBN: 978-1-44342-266-6. 329 pages.
My rating: 7/10
Aw, how sweet!
A charming beach read of a book which felt rather odd for a Canadian snow-filled January, but then I twigged that it was set in Melbourne, Australia (a reference to a character’s skimpy dress being perfect for “hot January evenings” making me sit up and pay attention) and it all fell into place.
An unusual narrator, university genetics professor Don, tells of his hyper-scheduled life, and how it all changed when he decided to locate a suitable life-partner by undertaking the questionnaire-based Wife Project in order to pre-screen likely prospects. A friend sets him up with a certain “Rosie” as something of a cruel joke; she fails the questionnaire on all counts, but even as he dismisses her from his list of potential partners, she interests him in a number of other ways.
Do I really need to go on? This book is completely stereotypical on so many counts, up to and including Don’s reinvention of himself to fit the presumed requirements of the woman he loves, and her teary-eyed insistence (after the fact) that the original him was the one she fell in love with.
Total chick flick stuff, and I thought all the way through what a perfect Hollywood romantic comedy this thing would be, which turned out to be the case – it was originally written as a screenplay. So no points for catching that.
But it works. It’s very funny, and cute and sweet and adorable and very happy-ending-ish. Also insubstantial as cotton candy, or perhaps one should say apricot ice cream – a bit zingy here and there, but ultimately mostly just sweet. Definitely not a real meal of a book, but a delectable dessert.
Many thanks to Claire at Captive Reader for recommending this; it was a whole lot of fun, and a perfect use of my Christmas bookstore gift card, and I know I will reread it when I need a bit of a pick-me-up.
I did a brief reconnaissance of other reviews, and among the many to choose from (several thousand on Goodreads, with a substantial number of high ratings) I found this one, by Ottawa writer Zachary Poole, which nicely reflected my own pros and cons regarding the story. I was quite impressed that we both rated it the same, 7/10, and my thoughts echoed Zachary’s to a T, though I must add the disclaimer that never once was I even marginally teary eyed!
Leaves & Pages 
Liked review. I’ve read several blogs praising this book. Every time I do I think that it won’t be my kind of book but then I’d thought that about The Snow Child and eventually read and loved that. I might just give this a go even if it is the stuff of chick flicks!
It’s *totally* the stuff of chick flicks. But it is very funny, and the hero is a bit unusual and rather nicely portrayed, if one can tolerate autism/Asperger’s syndrome played for its humorous aspects. It’s never mean humour, even at its most witty. A nice bit of fluff for a dreary time of year, this book. Or a beach read, if one is in the Southern Hemisphere. 😉
I really enjoyed this book too, I thought it was lightweight and maybe predictable, but so funny and charming and good-hearted – I illustrated my entry with a picture of his best jacket, the one that gets him into so much trouble in the restaurant! I am covering a Margery Sharp book today on the blog http://clothesinbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-nutmeg-tree-by-margery-sharp.html and you get a mention…
I truly loved the good-hearted tone; no mean humour, which is sometimes hard to pull off and still stay so funny. Simsion did a nice job here.
Just popped over to visit your post on The Nutmeg Tree – absolutely brilliant! Love the Matron’s Model. The policeman-embroidered cami-knickers – these *must* be something that once existed. Who could make that up?! 🙂
Great review! I completely agree with a lot you’ve said about it, particularly with regard to Don’s character.