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A review by katykelly
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
5.0
I was around two pages in when I realised I was falling in love with the main character. Not many books make you feel from the first chapter that you never want the book to end; that the journey you're starting with a character is going to be a complete joy. By page three, I was already casting the film roles in my head.
I've read several books very recently with highly intelligent but socially awkward male narrators. This is definitely a class above. Don is a fully-formed, routine-driven, social misfit. He's frustrating, maddening but completely adorable.
Don may be the awkward (genetics) Professor but he is also lovely, and so designs a 'foolproof' questionnaire to weed out unsuitable women as part of his Wife Project. No woman who doesn't fit the criteria can be considered. You may think you know where this is going...
His search for a perfect partner is at the core of the book. It's a search that brings a smile to the reader's face as Don faces situations in which his literal self struggles with social conventions, and often causes titters, sniggers and beaming smiles at his reactions, and those of people around him. There are some wonderful set-pieces; the dancing scene at the start hard to beat.
It's important to stretch yourself sometimes with a challenging book and it's just as important to wallow in a warm-hearted and comic story.
This is begging for a Hollywood adaptation. Just cast it right, please, producers!
Such a fabulous read. One of the very few I may put on the 'to read again' list. High praise indeed...
I've read several books very recently with highly intelligent but socially awkward male narrators. This is definitely a class above. Don is a fully-formed, routine-driven, social misfit. He's frustrating, maddening but completely adorable.
Don may be the awkward (genetics) Professor but he is also lovely, and so designs a 'foolproof' questionnaire to weed out unsuitable women as part of his Wife Project. No woman who doesn't fit the criteria can be considered. You may think you know where this is going...
His search for a perfect partner is at the core of the book. It's a search that brings a smile to the reader's face as Don faces situations in which his literal self struggles with social conventions, and often causes titters, sniggers and beaming smiles at his reactions, and those of people around him. There are some wonderful set-pieces; the dancing scene at the start hard to beat.
It's important to stretch yourself sometimes with a challenging book and it's just as important to wallow in a warm-hearted and comic story.
This is begging for a Hollywood adaptation. Just cast it right, please, producers!
Such a fabulous read. One of the very few I may put on the 'to read again' list. High praise indeed...