The Rosie Project: A Novel

Don works in Genetics, and he has some form of Asperger's.

Being someone who is adept at organizing data and making logical decisions, he has begun what he calls the Wife Project. He has made the determination that he needs a wife, but is having difficulty finding one suitable. In his case, "suitable" means finding a woman that can score high on Don's questionnaire, which is designed to help him filter out women who are unsuitable wife material, such as women concerned with their appearance, those who are late for appointments, who smoke, or who like the wrong flavor of ice cream.

Don's best friend is Gene, a psychology professor who spends his time trying to sleep with exotic women from around the world, supposedly with the consent of his wife Claudia. Then one day Don meets Rosie, who is on a mission of her own. She is trying to find her father, but she has very little to go on. She and Don team up for the Father Project, as he assists her in her endeavors.

This book was a book club selection, and one of the women in my book club has an adult son with Asperger's. So she could really identify with this book, and said that the depiction of Don was done very well.

I really liked Don. He knew he was different, he knew his condition makes him a little "weird" to others, and that his behavior is sometimes considered rude or inappropriate. He tries to conform when necessary, but sometimes falls short. He tries-- he really does! And Rosie is her own woman. She's offbeat, marches to the beat of her own drum, and she takes no guff from anyone!

My final word: I enjoyed this story, which I believe has been optioned for a movie. It's quirky, and at times is even slapstick humor. I liked the characters. The story could be a little preposterous at times, but that lent well to the "slapstick" feel of the story. Overall this was a fun and fast read.

Sweet story about Don Tillman, a socially inept genetics professor, and his search for a life partner. Enter Rosie, who meets zero of his "qualifications." Hilarity ensues. This was a quick, easy read--nothing too deep here. Although there are interesting links at the end of the book.

I must have missed something about this book based on all the 5 star reviews. It was ok, an easy read but nothing memorable for me. I actually didn't even think Don had Aspergers until I discussed the book at bookclub. I just thought Don was highly annoying, so calculated. Looking back, I can see the classic Aspergers' signs & I guess he is a bit more endearing now.

I am a fan of Sheldon Cooper so I was bound to love this Don Tillman, which I did until the New York trip. From that point on, the story fizzled out and it all became very disappointing and predictable.

Absolutely adorable and a very compelling page turner. One that refused to let me go to sleep before the past page was turned.