Book review: The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

After the incredible success of The Rosie Project, Graeme Simsion's debut novel, Don and Rosie are back for The Rosie Effect and settling into married life in New York City.

Though things seem to be going well for the pair, the news that Rosie is pregnant sends events spiralling out of control in a way not even Don can handle and their relationship begins to feel the strain. Then Don's old friend and colleague Gene turns up and sets up camp in their home.

What follows is the brilliantly insightful humour, romance and honesty fans of this pairing have grown to love. Simsion proves he is so much more than a one-trick pony offering real drama and laughs in this eagerly-awaited sequel. 

The only thing that stops this book from utter perfection is the unavoidable lack of originality that made the debut such a phenomenal read. Yet, returning to Don and Rosie is such a complete delight that it matters not. It's like returning to the comfort of old friends.

The Rosie Effect is a joyous novel, full of charm, hilarity and warmth. Perfect reading for the approaching colder weather.

4.5/5 FOBLES

The Rosie Effect is published by Michael Joseph on 25th September.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion film rights bought

‘I’m not good at understanding what other people want’

‘Tell me something I don’t know…’

 

Love isn’t an exact science – but no-one told Don Tillman. A thirty-nine year old geneticist, Don has never had a second date. So he devises the wife project, a scientific test to find the perfect partner. Enter Rosie – ‘the world’s most incompatible woman’ – throwing Don’s safe ordered life into chaos. But what is this unsettling, alien emotion he’s feeling?

 

The Rosie Project had been out for a while before it reached my to-read pile but having devoured the delightful, refreshingly honest novel about a man with undiagnosed Aspergers Syndrome in only a few days, I am delighted to discover that the film rights have long been bought by Sony Pictures.

 

The Australian setting, the journey to New York and the two great lead characters of Don and Rosie would make an excellent film. Of course, it looks like Simsion already realised this - the book was written as a script before he adapted it into a novel.

 

The film will be produced by Sony-based Matt Tolmach and Michael Costigan and the deal was closed by Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad and production president Hannah Minghella. Simsion will write the script.

 

I know it's the obvious Ozzie answer but I'd love to see Hugh Jackman play Don. Or perhaps Guy Pearce with Teresa Palmer as Rosie?

 

Did you love The Rosie Project? Who would make an excellent Don and Rosie?
 

Follow Don Tillman @ProfDonTillman . .. Follow Graeme Simsion @Graemesimsion