The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Paperback: 305 pages.

Genre:  Contemporary Romantic Fiction.
Publisher: Penguin (11 April 2013)
Source: Tywyn Public Library.
First Sentence: I may have found a solution to the Wife Problem.
Review Quote: Don Tillman is one of the most endearing, charming and fascinating literary characters I have met in a long time (The Times)
Favourite Quote: “Fault! Asperger’s isn’t a fault. It’s a variant. It’s potentially a major advantage. Asperger’s syndrome is associated with organization, focus, innovative thinking, and rational detachment.” 
My Opinion: Let us hope Graeme Simsion has plans for a future for his creation.



A recent choice for the Tywyn Book Club that I participate in and although I enjoyed it and had heard about it, I still doubt it is something I would have chosen to read for myself.  The style of writing I found was at first not an easy one, but considering the subject matter it fits the concept perfectly. 

The male protagonist, Don Tillman is an Asperger's Syndrome Sufferer and finds relationships and the concept of relating to others with emotion a very difficult one to manage. If you know someone with this condition as I do it is even more interesting to see life through a sufferer's eyes.  I actually learnt more about how difficult it can be for those people to relate to others, so for that reason alone it was well worth while reading. It is a very funny read and that is not making fun of the situations that Don finds himself in.   

Nearing his fortieth birthday Don has decided that the time is right for him to get married, the problem is he has no idea who his future wife is to be. A genetics professor uncomfortable in social situations he has decided that the way forward with his challenge is not to date anyone that is unsuitable. To overcome this obstacle he writes a comprehensive questionnaire that all prospective dates have to complete before he will even consider going out with them. With his good looks, apparently a Gregory Peck look a like he is not short of offers but his impossible high and inflexible demands are not making it easy for him to find the one! Searching for love is not it seems the easy option and maybe love will come looking from an unexpected direction and take him quite by surprise.  No spoilers, so to find out if the project is successful read the book, it is worth it, completely different from anything else you have read recently I suspect. 

In my opinion 'The Times' nailed it when they said in a review that Don Tillman is one of the most endearing, charming and fascinating literary characters of recent times. Completely in agreement with their comment this has to be recommended reading for those of us that always enjoyed the Adrian Mole character from the late Sue Townsend.  Maybe Don Tillman will become just as popular as it would be great to learn more about his life, let us hope Graeme Simsion has plans for a future for his creation.

NB. Since writing the above I have learnt 'The Rosie Effect' will be published in September 2014.

Don Meet Rosie - Rosie Meet Don

Video courtesy of Simon & Schuster 

Author Profile

Graeme Simison was born in New Zealand but now calls Melbourne, Australia home, where he lives with his wife and two children. A full time writer, also screen-writer, playwright and data modeller. He recently won the 2012 Victorian Premier's Unpublished Manuscript Award for his book, The Rosie Project. 

Learn more interesting facts about the author on the About Me page on his website.


The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and his writing.

YouTube Video   Goodreads Author Profile    The Rosie Project   Graeme Simsion - Facebook

Twitter - Graeme Simsion   Wikipedia - Graeme Simsion  Graeme Simsion - Official Website