A Theory of Relativity: A Novel

by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Book Overview

" An] astonishing pleasure." -- Seattle Times "A graceful, moving, and compelling novel. Jacquelyn Mitchard at her finest." --Scott Turow, author of Innocent A poignant and unforgettable novel from... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060836938
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Length: 398 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Excellent

I read this book years ago and just re-read it now. I found it as wonderful the second time as the first. As an adopted child, the underlying "who is family" question throughout the book really hit home and was handled beautifully. I think it would be an excellent book for anyone in a book club - definitely a book great for discussion.

Good from the first page

This is the best book I have read for a while. So many are carbon copies of others with just different characters. This was a story with real people and a real premise. I enjoyed it from the first page through the end and highly recommend it.

As someone who has been through a custody battle,

I couldn't put this one down. I'm not adopted but when my parents divorced, the whole family wanted to adopt me, and it split my family to this very day, 10 plus years later. The emotions that Gordon felt were very real. You want the best for the child, but if nothing's working in bringing the child to your home, you give up. I love Mitchards writing, and I think this one to be one of her best. Yes there is alot of background information, but as with anything to get a clear picture of a story you need that clarity. She has to detail everything. I couldn't put this book down, and enjoyed it. The ending was quite interesting and unexpected which is a pleasure when you get to the point that you think you could guess the ending to every book when they get formulaic. Pick this one up, with "The Most Wanted" and I guarantee you'll have a weekend worth of excellent reading.

Interesting dilemma

Very worthwhile read. It is frustrating to consider that the law might not recognize adopted children's rights as part of their family. This book is different from Mitchard's first, but I couldn't put it down until I found out who wound up with custody of the child.

What Makes a REAL Family?

Is it nature, or is it nurture that makes a family? Mitchard brings the timeless question into crystal-clear focus in this tale of a child whose parents die tragically and whose future will likely have to be decided in the court system. The fierce love young Keefer Nye instills in her grandparents, her uncle, her cousins, and her community transcends all artificially constructed boundaries. The author captures with aching clarity the emotions of adults who stand to lose the most beloved thing in their lives. We are drawn irrevocably into this complex story, and we CARE about its outcome. While it is true that events are definitely amplified for dramatic effect, Mitchard skillfully manages to avoid gushy sentimentality and emotional manipulation, leaving our hearts warmed but our dignity as intelligent, discerning readers intact.