The Rosie Project Book Review
The Rosie Project is a novel that portrays a genetics Professor’s quest to finding true love through endeavors in a “Wife project”. A laid back and laugh-out-loud page-turner, it delicately mixes our daily realities within its fictitious plot. “Love is never science.”, as manifested by encounters between Don the professor and Rosie — an unlikely candidate for the Wife Project who unprecedentedly slips into Don’s organized, disciplined, and well-scheduled universe.
Don is crafted into a slightly bizarre and overly logical character due to his slight Autism traits. He is incapabile to feel emotions, is anti-social and uncomfortable with human touch, organizes daily routines efficiently (manifested by his standardized meal preparation, uncompromisable bedtimes, explicit travel itineraries…), and endeavors to select a future partner with a personal traits questionnaire. His strict discipline in work and efficient scheduling made it hard to blend into social life of his counterparts — including drinking, watching sports, listening to music, and just relaxing and winding down.
Yet, I was bewildered by some of his eccentric actions portrayed deliberately by the author that seemed to resonate with me — efficiencies, scheduling, and disciplined ethics. “My runs to the market are a feature of my schedule, combining exercise, meal ingredient purchase, and an opportunity for reflection.”, says Don. This was one of my weekly rituals back in University, when I enjoyed moments of bliss and serenity in early mornings, as I routed my jogs to end in the traditional market for ingredients purchase. “I never watch sports. The reasons are obvious — or should be to anyone who values their time.”, says Don. I reminisced on a period of University life when I nearly added literally nothing on my playlist — it was always the classical symphonies which did their job of blessing serenity and relaxation after a long day. Other seemingly eccentric disciplines or habits that struck a bell with me such as neglecting entertainments of music, drinking, and just winding down were also part of my “Uni rituals”. In retrospection, I lived a few semesters of extremity when schedules were hectic. Those were survival instincts turned on during periods of tension and adaptation, I guess, and through time I learned that taking a time out, slowing down, and relaxing from time to time enables us to thrive in the long term.
“Do you know how to relax? To just have fun?” asked Rosie towards Don, the female protagonist of the book. Rosie was universes apart from Don — she was a psychiatry PHD candidate who smoked, ate late dinners, enjoyed nightlife, was laid-back, and unorganized. When two opposite poles collide, we enjoy hilarious encounters as portrayed in the book — unprecedented surprises, unpleasant compromises, and beautiful synergies. Compatibility between partners are tricky — we see adults 20 years after marriage still quarreling after menageries, yet they seem to incorporate such rituals into part of the process of their lifelong learning.*REDACTED* Through observations, I guess the polarities of personal characteristics is a part of compatibility — as both learn a little bit more about another universe if they keep an open mind.
Don endeavored to changed parts of his personal attributes after realizing that he was an eccentric individual who didn’t fit into society (and also to the tastes of Rosie). He endeavored to change his appearance, his outfit, his way of interacting with others, and also compromised on his stringent scheduling. Yet, he was told by his mentor and friend, “Just be yourself. If she (he) doesn’t want you for yourself, then that’s not the right person for you.” Pleasant interactions flow with both parties living their true identities. It is liberating, pleasant, and comfortable to be at your true self and sharing harmony with the other. As Don said in one of the walks that he took together with Rosie. “She barely spoke at all. This made the walk quite pleasing — it was virtually the same as walking alone.”
Interpersonal relationships comprise of logic, emotions, and the flow of interactions. In “The Rosie Project”, Don had the impression that “logic” based on science is sufficient for his search for a future partner. Yet, as the story unraveled, he realized that “emotions” guided his heart in learning more about Rosie that was worlds apart. “Listen. Take notice of your emotions and logic. Emotions have their own logic — and try to go with the flow.”
