Book review: The Rosie Project

I enjoyed reading The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, an amusing, lighthearted novel about a highly intelligent but socially awkward man who has devised a ‘foolproof’ test for finding a wife. I always have a soft spot for novels about social misfits, and Professor Tillman fit the bill perfectly.

What is perhaps most interesting about this novel is Professor Tillman’s understanding about his lack of social skills, and his complete reliance on advice by those he considers to be more developed in this area than he is. Obviously, being fully reliant on others to guide you also means an inability to distinguish between helpful and unhelpful advice, something about which our protagonist is amusingly unaware.

It’s also fun to follow the development of his complex checklist to weed out those women who don’t meet with his (rather demanding) list of requirements in a life partner. Although, to be fair to Professor Tillman, he’s not sure that even one exists out there.

All in all, this is a light, amusing and heartwarming read. I enjoyed truly feeling in Professor Tillman’s mind and seeing the world through his unique perspective.

It may have grown a little predictable towards the end, and I’m not sure I would want to read the sequel, but this novel is a really enjoyable read. As a bonus, it also includes Professor Tillman’s carefully devised questionnaire for finding the perfect mate, although – be forewarned – you may not want to try that one out in the real world…

4 Comments

  1. wordfoolery on April 12, 2019 at 11:02 am

    Thanks for the review, Kimberly. I think I’ll get this one, sounds good.

    • kimberlysullivan on April 14, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      Think you’ll enjoy it, Grace! RomCom with a twist, and good summer read.

  2. ProfeJMarie (Janet Rundquist) on April 12, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    I have a soft spot for the social misfits, too. I loved this book! I also really appreciated that the character understood himself so well – I thought it was very authentic.

    • kimberlysullivan on April 14, 2019 at 9:31 pm

      So glad we’re fellow misfit-afficianados, Janet. Glad you enjoyed it, too. Did you read ‘Eleanor Oliphant…’? Another good ‘misfit’ narrator, but one who is less aware of her awkwardness. Another great read in this category…

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