The Rosie Project

Graeme Simsion

rosieThis sweet, funny story follows professor of genetics Don Tillman as he tries to find the perfect wife. It soon becomes clear that Don has Asperger’s Syndrome. That is, it is clear to everyone but Don. Deciding a large questionnaire is needed to weed out unacceptable applicants, Don enthusiastically starts his research. Needless to say, he is blindsided by the most unacceptable woman to come his way. Don’s blunders, his cold calculation, and his sweet dependence on his few friends for advice is both funny (sometimes cringingly), sad and eye-opening. While author Simsion does not have Asperger’s himself, he worked in the sciences with many people on the autistic spectrum. His takes the reader into the mind of someone with the syndrome and how they relate and process information. This fascinating twist makes a relatively straight-forward love story into a wonderful read.