The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Blog written by Melissa B

Graeme Simsion’s novel, The Rosie Project, was an enjoyable, easy and often amusing read. The story focuses on the plight of a socially challenged genetics professor who is on a mission to find out whether he is capable of true love. Don Tillman’s ‘Wife Project’, ultimately becomes The Rosie Project as a consequence of helping Rosie with her ‘Father Project’.

Members of the Book Club enjoyed various aspects of the book, such as the gene hunt and the familiarly depicted Academic environment and the specific details of Professor Don Tillman’s unusual behaviour.

However, I think it’s fair to say that the majority of the group were a little disappointed in this book.  We struggled to believe that a person with Asperger’s Syndrome might be able to change as much as the Professor Tillman. We also discussed whether people should or could try to change for each other and indeed whether that change could be sustainable.

Many felt that Rosie’s character seemed underdeveloped and not fully believable.

Some members felt the book started strongly but petered out in terms of energy and interest by the end. Some did not care by the end, to find out who the father was, and as the main through-line on which the plot rested, this was problematic for the success of the story.

We all felt the subject matter had great potential, with insight into the experience of living with the condition of Aspergers (in it or beside it) and with the experience of needing to find out the source of one’s genes (ie. A missing father).  Yet both of these topics felt somewhat superficially presented and overall, our group seemed unsatisfied with the outcome.

The novel did inspire some fun and interesting conversation about the nature of dating and the process of questioning suitable partners. This lead to members sharing interesting stories about their own experience and the concept and process of meeting a match, especially contrasting the way partnership evolved 20-40 years ago, in comparison with the RSVP style searches today.

It was suggested by Jane that perhaps the book might be better suited to a market of slightly younger readers in their late 20’s or 30’s.  We also agreed that it had the potential to be adapted into a popular romantic comedy film.

Above is a photo of the brilliant creation that Marty made – a handmade chocolate framed Rosie book cover. No-one could bring themselves to eat it.

Our rating for the book is 6 out of 10.

Our next book choice is Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and our meeting will be at Lee's place on Thursday October 17th.