The Rosie Project: A Novel

By Graeme Simsion

A first-date dud, socially awkward and overly fond of quick-dry clothes, genetics professor Don Tillman has given up on love, until a chance encounter gives him an idea.

He will design a questionnaire—a sixteen-page, scientifically researched questionnaire—to uncover the perfect partner. She will most definitely not be a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker or a late-arriver. Rosie is all these things. She is also fiery and intelligent, strangely beguiling, and looking for her biological father a search that a DNA expert might just be able to help her with.

The Rosie Project is a romantic comedy like no other. It is arrestingly endearing and entirely unconventional, and it will make you want to drink cocktails.

Praise for The Rosie Project

A Globe and Mail Best Book of the Year

A national and international bestseller

#1 Indie Next Pick (US)

#1 Library Reads Pick (US)

'Funny and heartwarming, a gem of a book.' – Marian Keyes

"Don Tillman helps us believe in possibility, makes us proud to be human beings, and the bonus is this: he keeps us laughing like hell. I'd love to have a beer with the humane and hilarious Graeme Simsion." - Matthew Quick, New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook

‘I absolutely loved The Rosie Project—original and clever, and perfectly written. The world is going to fall in love with Don and Rosie and I can’t wait for that to happen.’ -- Jill Mansell, author of To the Moon and Back

“The Rosie Project is the best, most honestly told love story I’ve read in a long time.” — Kristin Hannah, bestselling author of Fly Away and Home Front

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781443422680

Graeme Simsion

Graeme Simsion is the internationally bestselling author of The Rosie Project, The Rosie Effect, and The Rosie Result, featuring Professor Don Tillman, as well as The Best of Adam Sharp and, with Anne Buist, Two Steps Forward. Graeme lives in Australia.

Reviews for The Rosie Project

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dr. Don Tillman, a geneticist with Asperger's syndrome, decides that he needs a wife and devises a questionnaire to select possible candidates. Rosie comes along but has none of the characteristics that he is looking for. However, he decides that he will help her with her project to find her biological father.I found the writing witty and entertaining. The story makes one think - would I really have a list of criteria to choose the person I was going to send my life with? Don't think it would have worked for me. Good book.

[sharonmariabidwell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I started this my first thought was OMG (the protagonist) is Sheldon (Big Bang Theory) but while it’s difficult for fans of the show not to see the inevitable similarities, it didn’t (as some people have pointed out) put me off reading but added another layer of amusement to the read. There’s a love story here with a difference. Intelligent, witty, at times throwing a light on human interaction in a way standard romances might not, this book is often joyful to read. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would though the ending seemed a little rushed, perhaps explained because the book has sequels. I kind of prefer this as a standalone read but, if not for my to-be-read mountain, I might consider perusing the other titles.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was not sure I was going to enjoy this book when I first started reading it. Dr. Don Tillman is ready to have a wife and settle down but there are a few problems. He can't get past the second date and he has conditions like no smoking. His friend Gene, another professor in his department sends in Rosie. Tillman immediately rules her out as a good candidate because she smokes, is always late and is a vegetarian. But Rosie is trying to find out who her biological father is and since Tillman is a professor of genetics, he soon starts the Father Project in eliminating the men who were in Rosie's Mother's graduating class.

Tillman is a lot like his Aspergers syndrome patients he studies. He has to be on a rigid schedule, doesn't like to deviate from the schedule. He has issues reading social situations and expressions and takes things literally. I watch Parenthood and he is a lot like the boy Max on there.

I found this book humorous, entertaining, heartwarming and just all around enjoyable. I would have read it faster except I was spending the holidays with family. It is a quick read and can be read within a day. I recommend this book if you want something totally different and to see what it's like to have Aspergers.

[baystatera · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Rosie Project sparkles with the wit and humor of a good romantic comedy. If you liked The Humans by Matt Haig, another novel about human behavior (especially among academics) from an unusual (alien) perspective, you’ll probably like The Rosie Project, which isn’t as darkly comic but also derives its humor from an unreliable narrator. Or if you’re just in the mood for a fun, entertaining read with enough snippets of science to give it a little heft, try The Rosie Project.For full review, please visit Bay State Reader's Advisory blog.

[loveatfirstbook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion has been all over the book world recently. A ton of bloggers have read it, it’s a featured B&N book, and it was mentioned on a podcast I listened to recently.But The Rosie Project is not just hype – it’s awesome.Any fans of Sheldon Cooper out there? The main character of The Rosie Project, Don, is very similar. Don doesn’t realize it, but he has Asperger’s, which causes him to be a little socially inept and very strict with scheduling. What Don wants is a wife, so he plans to find one. . . Through the Wife Project. What is the Wife Project? Basically a super long questionnaire with which Don expects to find his wife.But when his friend Gene sets him up with Rosie, Don is thrown for a loop.For the full review, visit

[rdra1962 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thanks to Goodreads for the ARC copy, I had read about this book and was excited to win a copy before it hit the shelves!
I really enjoyed this book. I found this to be a well balanced combination of humour and empathy. Don is a brilliant genetics scientist who is on the Autism spectrum, yet although he is well aware he is "odd" he has never been officially "labelled". He has learned to get along by playing the class clown. He reads and observes in order to learn accepted social behaviour. His only friends, Gene and Claudia help him as well.
Don had decided it is time to find a mate and has turned to scientific means to screen potential candidates. Along the way Don meets Rosie, a beautiful, brash barmaid searching for her biological father. Rosie upsets Don's ordered life, and an unlikely friendship ensues. Rosie challenges Don to push beyond the parameters of his highly structured life, Don challenges some of Rosie's preconceived notions as well. The not too subtle question is; can these two find their way to one another?
Throughout the novel I could not keep thoughts of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory out of my head. Although much better looking and in some ways more sociable than Sheldon, the fact that they are both scientists with Asperger's Syndrome was distracting. I know this novel would make a great movie, and I kept casting roles as I read - that added to the fun.
This was a funny, fast, engaging read, highly recommended! I look forward to Graeme Somson's next novel!

N.B In my copy there was a letter from a senior editor, Karyn Marcus, introducing the novel and the author. I have never seen this before but I really loved it! If I were browsing in a book store, that letter would have convinced me to buy the book!

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. It was a truly delightful book to read. It made me laugh and sometimes almost cry. I have a friend with a son with aspergers and I can definitely see her son in the main character "Don".

Written from a unique perspective, this is one of the few, if not the only, romantic comedies with a male protagonist. And not only male, but autistic. Don Tillman is a brilliant scientist, but has absolutely no idea how to socialize with others. He does not break rules, he lives on a schedule, does not understand social cues and hopes to find a wife using a questionnaire.
Rosie is beautiful, smart and nowhere close to what Don sees as a perfect life partner. They go out a few times without really dating and they are so different from one another that Don can not see Rosie as a possible wife.

This book is one of those rare gems that most people could relate to on some level. A mid life crisis, two people looking for love, a Dean who is trying to raise money for the University, a couple who love one another but see other people, a woman searching for her biological father and more.

Written with a one of a kind voice, you experience all of Don's ups and downs as he over-analyses, fears and then embraces change and eventually learns how to love.

This is a beautiful love story.

[roses7184_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the spirit of full disclosure, I did not expect to like this book as much as I did! As you'll see from the glowing five star rating, The Rosie Project totally threw me for a curve. It's impressive to me that I went into this book completely annoyed with the main character, and then two chapters later I couldn't stop reading. Things kept getting better. Don kept surprising me. By the time I reached the end, I was breathless and satisfied. That, my friends, is the mark of a damn good book.

The thing is that Don, our main character, has Asperger's. I've read quite a few books with protagonists that faced the same challenge, but Don takes the cake in the personality department. How would I describe Don? Words that come to mind are: punctual, organized, brutally honest and often insufferable. At least, that is, at first. If you go into this book not loving Don, please keep reading. The growth that he shows, the barriers that he knocks down, it's just all so amazing. He ended up being one of my favorite characters. I definitely wasn't expecting that.

I've seen others take issue with the way that Asperger's is portrayed in The Rosie Project, and I'll honestly say that I can't take a stand on that. Not having any previous interactions with anyone like Don, I don't know if this is an accurate portrayal or not. What I can say is that I never felt like the author was being negative about Don's behavior, or trying to make him a joke. Quite the opposite actually. I learned so much about the ways that he had to adapt simply to fit in with the craziness that is us. When you look at it from his perspective, we're the ones who make no sense.

That, and I think a lot of the more negative light falls on Rosie in this instance. She's a feminist at heart, but still wants her swoon-worthy romance as well. She's all about standing out, but sometimes is uncomfortable with not fitting in. Rosie is a paradox, but that fits perfectly into this story. She helps Don find his best self, and learns more about herself along the way. I liked her, I loved him, and the whole story that revolved around them drew me in.

So what am I trying to say through all the rambling? This is a damn fine book. I wasn't sure about picking it up at first, but after reading so many glowing reviews I gave it a shot. I'm sincerely glad I did. The Rosie Project deserves all those fantastic reviews, and I'll happily add another one into the mix.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This didn't do it for me. I found the plot trite and terribly predictable and the humour lacking. It was basically about Sheldon from the TV sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" and I don't like that either. In both, the main characters are simply figures of fun and I don't appreciate the way the creators have trivialised Aspergers. "The Rosie Project" certainly didn't live up to the hype it received when it hit the bookshelves in 2013. A big disappointment!

[tkcs-3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Rosie Project is very & heart warming. The narrator, a professor with Aspberger's, learns that falling in love is not a rational process, and the story reminds us that we are all weird (the word used in the book) in some way.

[erinclark_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this book, actually laughed out loud SEVERAL times. I thank my LibraryThing Secret Santa for this one, can't wait to read the sequel:) Very highly recommended.

[mbmackay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the most enjoyable book I have read in a long while.The story of an undiagnosed Asperger spectrum academic in his search for a life partner. The author creates a highly believable character, and brings the audience along in support of his quest. There is much humour, but we are clearly laughing with the character, not at him. The writing is beautiful smooth and flowing. I flew through the book in two days and was sorry when I finished it.

[hjvanderklis_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Don Tillman is a handsome thirty-nine old geneticist with a savant memory and a giant lack of social skills. Helped by Gene and Julia this highly autistic kicks off the Wife Project with a lengthy questionnaire for each candidate, who surely will fail to meet all the requirements that Don put on the ideal woman. Not aware of dating, abandon habits and strict schemes like a weekly meal roster, this The Big Bang Theory in overdrive mode dismisses countless candidates until Gene throws in a wildcard, Rosie Jarman, the one Don is absolutely not looking for. Rosie is looking for her biological father, and so The Father Project is born. A perfect track for a geneticist, although initiation in dealing with a woman also leads to transgress ethical and moral boundaries, putting his career and future in danger.The Rosie Project is a powerful, funny and readable story of how love finds you and even the most insensitive men can turn into human beings capable of receiving and giving love. The Father Project and The Rosie Project have their twists, halts and ultimate happy endings.

[lisasmith-6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's the feel good read of the year.

[abergsman-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have seen complaints that this story was written as a comedy rather than a drama, but I liked that about it. Sometimes, a reader needs a light-hearted take on a serious subject. It is uplifting to see a positive representation of a person who shares many characteristics with with people who have Asperger's, or who are on the autism spectrum. Thankfully, despite this being humor-driven, the reader is never laughing at Don. Instead, we see the world through his eyes, and it is hard not to become drawn in to his particular brand of logic.

[jillrhudy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The life of Don Tillman, Melbourne genetics professor, is scheduled down to the minute. He is ultra-hygienic. He's something of an expert on Asperger Syndrome and autism spectrum disorders but does not suspect himself of having either. In social situations, Don's a disaster, so he comes up with a questionnaire to find a wife instead of wasting precious hours on dating questionable women. Don calls his survey The Wife Project.

Enter Rosie, a friend of a friend, who is as devil-may-care as Don is meticulous. Rosie gets most of the questionnaire wrong and promptly turns Don's life upside down. Don logically concludes that this cannot be love, both because Rosie is an unsuitable candidate (he has scientific proof) and because Don has none of the emotions associated with romantic love (apart from--the reader observes--jealousy, lust, and euphoria when in Rosie's presence and despondency when she is not around).

Another symptom of Don's growing infatuation: extreme rationalizations to be in Rosie's company, including an ill-advised crusade to find her biological father, which Don dubs The Father Project. The Wife Project gets put on hold for this madcap escapade, which quickly spirals out of control and covers two continents. The Father Project involves blood samples, hair follicles, swabs from drinking glasses, used handkerchiefs, sweaty tee-shirts, and more than a little subterfuge, theft, jet lag, and alcohol consumption.

I fell for Don much earlier than Rosie did--on page one--and remained enraptured throughout the novel, which I read in one sitting. When it comes to falling in love, we're all "deficient" and scared to death. At the end of the book, after laughing and crying and looking at the world (and at Rosie) from Don's perspective, with all his longing for scientific safety and control fighting a yen for adventure and ecstasy, Don seemed more loving than most people--not as measured in crying at romantic movies or in scientific calculations, but in solid hard work and willingness to change and compromise. Don devotes a staggering amount of time and energy to those lucky few he counts as friends--and also to Rosie, whom he illogically but accurately calls "the most beautiful woman in the world."

[annhepburn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loooved this book. Recommended for everyone, everywhere.

[kmajort · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lighthearted romance with a look into Asperger's syndrome/autism.
Don looks to find a wife using a form/filters. Finds one - who does not fit parameters - and discovers what love is for him.
(This is incredibly vague because you *really* need to read the book. It will literally make you laugh out loud.

Recommended by many, the R2S One Book choice for 2015

[corduroy7-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An extraordinary delight with laugh-out-loud moments! Told from the point of view of Don Tillman, Genetics Professor, martial status single and looking. How he decides to enhance the process is unique and unfolds a wonderful romantic comedy. Don't miss it! It is a must add for TBR piles!At the end of the novel, there are the first two (2) chapters as preview of "The Rosie Effect" (c) 2014. I never read the previews of an author's next title in a series or to introduce me to another novel that he/she has written. I read the preview. I also ordered "The Rosie Effect" today (after finishing the novel last night).

[msaftich-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. I rarely laugh out loud while reading, but I did in reading this one. Besides, it fundamentally being an endearing love story, it provided for an amusing commentary on social norms and what it takes to 'fit in'. The narrator is a lovable character. His search for a wife and what he thinks he wants in a life partner, becomes more about who he is and what he can offer. His journey takes him completely off course from his usual ordered life of routine and structure, showing how disruptive and wonderfully life-altering, love can be. I highly recommend it.

[mpvu-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a really cute book and a quick read; a quirky romantic comedy story. I liked the way that the author worked in the autism spectrum, though Don the narrator was unsuspecting of it. The only complaint I have is that I didn't really understand the ending.... Gene is the father, but Don showed Rosie the positive sample he tested was Phil?? Something about saving her mother's pride and providing her with an answer, and that Phil wasn't that bad of a father as Rosie made him out to be. It wasn't really clean I thought, but I really enjoyed reading the story from Don's unique point of view.

[kristymk18-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Rosie Project centers on the life of a genetics professor, Don, who does not realize he has Asperger's. I found the MC's voice to be refreshing, comedic, intelligent and insightful. You get an idea of how his life is challenged by Asperger's, yet at the same time, it does not define him. The story begins with Don deciding he needs to find a suitable wife, when Rosie enters, needing help from Don with a quest of her own. His encounters are humorous, yet you also feel for him, aware that he knows he doesn't fit in with social norms and has to navigate through life dealing with the impact that has. He finds Rosie to be the opposite of any woman he would be interested in, but is inexplicably drawn to her as he helps her try and find her biological father. I liked that it was relationships in general, and not necessarily a romantic one, that was the core of the novel. How Don interacted with different characters, professional and socially, and how he changed as a result of those relationships was evident and enjoyable to read about.

[befuddledpanda · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this read.

I saw the ending coming about 50 pages or so away from the end. But I still really liked reading it.
I know people who share personality traits with the main character so he character was very relatable to me.

I loved reading the thinking process of Don. The writing style was easy to read and very effective in evoking the emotions intended.

[arubabookwoman · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Don Tillman is a genetics professor who is socially clueless, and probably on the autism spectrum. He wants to get married, but only to a woman who meets his rigorous criteria for a wife. He devises a 16 page questionnaire for potential dates to fill out, and not surprisingly he is having difficulty finding a wife, since almost everyone is eliminated by the questionnaire.The he meets Rosie Jarman. She is definitely disqualified as wife material on multiple grounds. However, Don is interested, as a genetics scholar, in helping her find her biological father. Everyone but Don knows where this will lead.This was a cute and quirky book, if somewhat predictable like a 30 minute romantic-comedy tv show is predictable. I enjoyed it though, and will probably read the sequel, The Rosie Effect.3 stars

[kk1_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I laughed out loud all through the first half of the book. I laughed at all the stupid/ridiculous situations you find yourself in when you don't quite get what is happening. And then the second half he became rain man, remembered 100 different cocktails and people, watched a few random movies and lived happily ever after.And actually I didn't understand the second half of the book. or even realise it is set in Australia. For a character who is supposed to be accurate about genetics, I'm not sure I completely understand who/why is her father.

[mrsworms · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be quite a delightful novel told from a unique point of view.

[shawislandlibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you're in the mood to take an intelligent look at Asperger's and enjoy some clever, laugh out loud funny writing, then this book is for you. (Brian)

[sasham-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great quick read. Light and entertaining with great plot. Highly recommended :-)

[lara335 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Don - a Gregory Peck lookalike, professor with Aspergers - decides to compile a questionaire in search of a compatible mate. He has never had a second date.Amusing and warm-hearted, and filled with interesting characters.

[phyllis2779 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable romance with a different angle -- the male protagonist is on the autism spectrum. I did put the book down before reading the last 20 pages but I was distracted by some other books. However, I did come back and finish it which is a compliment.