November 15, 2013 / Leslie

Review – Audiobook: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project
by Graeme Simsion
Narrated by Dan O’Grady

Genre: Humor/Contemporary
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publish Date: October 1, 2013
Format: Audio, 7 hours | 32 minutes
Audio Listening Level: Easy
Rating: 5 of 5

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

My Thoughts:

From the moment I started listening to the audiobook, Don reminded me of Sheldon from the comedy series The Big Bang Theory. If you’re familiar with that show, you’ll understand what I mean when I say that Don, like Sheldon, is a socially challenged, exasperating individual, but he can also be delightfully endearing. Unlike Sheldon, Don became more appealing as the story progressed and we got to know him a little better.

Don’s method of searching for a suitable wife was to create a sixteen page questionnaire to eliminate any unsuitable candidates. At the same time he was completely unaware, clueless actually, that his questions will filter out almost every woman on the planet. Then Don meets Rosie, who conforms to none of his Wife Project criteria, and yet she is the perfect match for him, he just doesn’t see it.

This is a quick, light read with sharp, clever writing and likable characters. Written in the first person, Don’s witty observations and annoying logic often made me laugh out loud – at other times it made me cringe. I listened to the audiobook which was delightfully narrated by Dan O’Grady who expertly captured Don’s spirit and quirkiness, and with an Australian accent.

Much more than a romance, this is a witty, humorous story that will appeal to a wide range of readers and listeners. It’s one of my favorites this year and highly recommended for something a little lighter and a bit of fun.