The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

There are some books that make you laugh, some that make you cry. This one often does both in the same sentence. 

The story of Don Tillman, a slightly awkward but highly intelligent geneticist who believes he has discovered a solution for his search for the perfect companion. He initiates the wife project.

As a good scientist he devises a questionnaire designed to give him a data source from which to evaluate a identify a life partner. Some of the questions are a little odd, some of them are slightly inappropriate and quite a few are downright offensive. Early on Don recalls a number of dates he has been on in the past. You will cringe. 

In the first chapter Don has been asked to substitute for his friend Gene in giving a group of parents and children with Asperger syndrome a talk on the condition and the scene quickly devolves as Don attempts to answer questions from the audience. Don quickly causes a situation, completely oblivious to his role in chaos.

We are never told explicitly that Don himself is autistic, although many of his behaviours will be familiar to anyone with experience of autism. I vaguely remember the author Graeme being non-committal when asked is Don himself is autistic. It doesn’t really matter because Don is a fascinating character who has many flaws, yet has to overcome them. 

His views on art, the standardised meal system and his ability to engage with a small number of others in a meaningful way are all captured well. Whether you like Don or not probably depends on how much you can cope with some of his behaviours. 

I haven’t even mentioned the titular Rosie yet. 

Its Don’s story, but as in all romantic comedies he only really starts to live when confronted by the wholly incompatible Rosie, who manages to turn his word upside down in all the ways you would expect. They aren't quite opposites, she likes cocktails as well, but in many ways she challenges him so much that he realises that many of his existing beliefs are a really a complex series of shields that he has built around himself. 

There are two follow up books which are both very good, but lack some of the surprising originality of this first book. We know Don quite well by the second book and the changes that happen to him and Rosie (sorry spoilers, yes she will be in the second and third books) tend to focus on more dramatic elements than humorous. Many of Don’s relationships are explored in more depth, but you wont laugh as much, but you will laugh. 

A film version was announced way back in 2014. I cannot picture anyone playing Don & Rosie other than the versions I have in my head. I want to keep them that way.