Simsion, Graeme- The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1); Informal Buddy Read:Starts December 15, 2014

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This topic is open for discussion of The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.




Book Synopsis:
An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love.

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.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

The Rosie Project is a moving and hilarious novel for anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of overwhelming challenges.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Justin]

Awesome! Thanks! I feel like everyone hasread this book already except me. Not sure how I missed it.

[Rebecca NJ]

Justin - you are not alone! I may join in for this read because I don't think I'm going to get to it this month.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I'm in too. Your not alone. I feel the same way. I haven't read it either but hear good things about it. December is good too since I planned on reading since I'm going to join in the BR in January for

[Christine]

I'll join in for this one! I've had this book on my Kindle forever but haven't gotten around to reading it.

[Alex]

Ooh now this, this is tempting.

[Rebecca]

Yes I've been waiting to read this book so here's a great push! I may start it a little earlier if that's okay. I have a long list of books to read in December, but I would love to join in the discussion then.

[Christine]

Mods: Could you please add this thread to the list of scheduled reads in the Buddy Read Requests thread? Thanks!

[Justin]

I can start earlier, too! Finishing up a couple of things now.

[Catherine]

I can come too!!! I'll dig it out!

[Rebecca]

I can start this book within the next couple of days (hopefully) if anyone wants to start a little early.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I'm in for the earlier beginning since I've also got a ton of books that I have to read this month for a few challenges that need to be completed. So I'm good with a few days :)

[Rebecca]

That sounds good to me!

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Sounds good to me.

[Justin]

I'm down with starting this weekend. I've only been able to find it on audio so far but that's fine with me.

[Kari]

I'll try to join you this weekend too.

[Kari]

I'm starting today!

[Kari]

Thank Agnès, glad you're liking it.
I just finished chapter 1 so I'm getting to know Don. His friend Gene (view spoiler)[is married to Claudia but he's out on a date with a Chilean professor. Not sure if I got that right, sounded a bit strange (hide spoiler)]

[Justin]

I will grab the book from the library today and join you guys this weekend. Glad to hear it's been a fun read so far.

[Kari]

Up to chapter 5 (view spoiler)[that questionnaire is really something! (hide spoiler)]

[Kari]

Agnès wrote: "I agree with you Kari :) [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, kinda weird. Looks like they have (view spoiler)[an open marriage (hide spoiler)]

[Kari]

up to chapter 12 (view spoiler)[that first "date" with Rosie was unique. The lobster salad sounded really good, lol. I liked the part where he was talking to Rosie on the phone in the middle of class and his students cheered him. Not sure how Gene and Rosie knew each other, I don't think it was explained yet, really curious. Now they're working on the Father Project. Don seemes like a really nice guy (hide spoiler)]

[Catherine]

I'll be here soon!

[Kari]

Agnès wrote: "I'm up to chapter 12 too :). [spoilers removed]"

She is very unique, it'd be nice to get her POV too. Wonder what she thinks about him!

[Catherine]

Justin wrote: "Awesome! Thanks! I feel like everyone hasread this book already except me. Not sure how I missed it."

haha!!! I haven't read it yet!!

[Kari]

chapter 14 (view spoiler)[ he is so sweet, that scene where he's serving the drinks was fun. (hide spoiler)]

[Kari]

@Justin and Catherine, hope you guys can grab it soon, it is fun :)

[Kari]

up to chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ I like how she takes the time to really know him and how he is happiest when he's with her. Lots of great moments in NYC. The ice cream test and the sushi bar scenes were special. (hide spoiler)]

[Kari]

finished (view spoiler)[ I found it insightful and some parts were endearing. Don was a lovely man. I had initially thought this book was going to be drama but it ended up being comedy, which was unexpected. I think I would've preferred a bit less comedy and more RL situations. I liked the ending and of course I'm happy Don and Rosie end up together. I also liked how the "mystery" was resolved. Although I enjoyed reading it, I don't plan to read the second book right away. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

This weekend has been crazy! We have guests and today I'm going to be baking christmas cookies all day. I'll definitely be starting this at least by tomorrow.

[Kari]

Agnès wrote: "Up to chapter 21 : [spoilers removed]"

You'll find out but (view spoiler)[at the very end :) (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I'll be starting in the next couple of days.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I actually caught the author talking on our book show here in Australia. He is a really quirky guy.

[Kari]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I actually caught the author talking on our book show here in Australia. He is a really quirky guy."

Hey Lisa, I hope you enjoy it! His writing is quirky too, definitely unique. Looking forward to your thoughts on it.

[Rebecca]

I read the first 4 chapters during lunch and I like it so far. The tone of the narrator is definitely something I need to get used to.

I thought it was kind of funny when (view spoiler)[ Julie was trying to ask Don on a date when he realized he should spend time meeting a woman...and then declined her offer. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

I just met Rosie! (view spoiler)[ Not at all what I expected. Which is awesome. I can't wait to read more. (hide spoiler)]

[Kari]

Agnès wrote: "@Kari I've just finished the book!! [spoilers removed]"

Yeay! I'm glad it (view spoiler)[was Phil too, worked out perfectly! (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Okay so I really got into this book last night and I'm halfway through chapter 15.

(view spoiler)[ This "Father Project" is cracking me up. I love that Don has basically put aside the Wife project to focus on stealing people's DNA for someone he just met. I think it's good that he is becoming Rosie's friends without worrying if she would be a good match. I think that will help their relationship. I can't wait to see where this goes and if Rosie finds her father.

Also, I'm really not a fan of Gene. His personality is just strange and he doesn't seem to be truthful to anyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

A quick thought about Rosie's dad... (view spoiler)[ I have a feeling Phil really is her dad. I hope she finds out that he is and gets some closure from that. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Also one of my favorite parts so far was with Don and Daphne! I can't believe what he did for her, it was incredible and sweet.

[Audrey Jane]

RebeccaS wrote: "Also one of my favorite parts so far was with Don and Daphne! I can't believe what he did for her, it was incredible and sweet."

Yes, that passage was really gripping, especially when Don continued to count Daphne's birthdays according to the parties they were throwing.

[Audrey Jane]

I read chapters 1 - 8, thoughts so far:
(view spoiler)[ I like Don, I think he's quite endearing. The speed dating was funny, the reaction of the women was quite logical, but at least Don was honest with them.

I met Rosie and I'm not yet convinced by her. I wish we could have the story from her point of view in future chapters. She's a bit like Don when it comes to social errors, Don made a remark that if he had done what Rosie did it would be perceived as 'not done'. I wonder why Don puts up with her compared to the other women who were according to his questionnaire also incompatible, I'm eager to find out.

Claudia and Gene's relationship is a bit confusing, it turns out they are in an open relationship but why does Gene lie so often and asks Don not to tell Claudia too much. And at the end of chapter 8 Claudia is worried that Don hasn't come home while the reader assumes that he's with another woman. Need more information on that.

Sidenote: I like my edition, I have this one , I don't know if it's the same with the other editions, but at the end you have part of Don's 'perfect partner' questionnaire & group reading questions- (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

"Audrey Jane wrote: "Claudia and Gene's relationship is a bit confusing"

I agree with you. (view spoiler)[ I'm wondering if maybe Gene thinks they have an open relationship, but Claudia doesn't actually know / agree with him. Instead it seems like he is doing it behind her back, which is strange because it seems like everyone else knows. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Just finished it and I can't wait to discuss it more!!

I must not be like Don at all, because I was very emotionally attached to these fictitious characters and definitely wanted to tear up during some of the scenes.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I'm up to Chapter 16. This is not my usual reading fare but I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

Despite his social awkwardness, Don is quite a sweetie. I liked the opening chapters (view spoiler)[ When he had to address the Asperger's Conference. Is the inference that he has Asperger's and the irony was of course lost on him? Even though he has a lot of the perceived characteristics he does form relationships with people, if a bit strangely. So I wondered? (hide spoiler)] .

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I finished it in one reading hit this afternoon. It was quite different for me and I enjoyed Don's sweetness and quirkiness. I kinda guessed pretty early on how it was going to end up but that didn't detract from enjoying the story.

I thought it was kind of interesting that even though Don was the one with the "problem", Rosie had her own emotional issues as well. But they got on so well as friends and they were both willing to go the extra mile for the relationship, especially Don so I'm guessing they would have had a happy life together.. along with the occasional emotional misunderstandings.

I guess I'll find out when I read the second book in our buddy read next month.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Oh and I forgot to add.. I thought this would make a terrific movie.

[Kari]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Oh and I forgot to add.. I thought this would make a terrific movie."

I thought this too! I think it was originally a screenplay.