"They died instantly." When it comes to first sentences, it's hard to beat the car-crash immediacy of A Theory of Relativity. What follows, ...
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reviews
Aug 24, 2011
Melissa
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I'm thinking that Jacquelyn Mitchard might not be the author for me. I listened to STILL SUMMER on audio, and found it to be OK - despite being disappointed in the neat and tidy ending. A THEORY OF RELATIVITY was my second read of hers, and again I had some issues that prevented me from liking (and finishing) the book.
I was intrigued by the plot of this (it's about a family custody battle over a little girl, Keefer, whose parents have been killed in a car accident, and which had pote More...
I was intrigued by the plot of this (it's about a family custody battle over a little girl, Keefer, whose parents have been killed in a car accident, and which had pote More...
May 26, 2010
Diane
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I have read several of Mitchard's books, so I was looking forward to this one. (found on the $1.00 rack at Half-Price Books!) Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much and actually found myself skimming large passages.
It's an intriguing story -- Georgia and Gordon are adopted siblings. When Georgia is killed along with her husband in a car accident, Gordon wants to adopt his 18-month old niece. He is challenged by the husband's family on the grounds that he has no "blood More...
It's an intriguing story -- Georgia and Gordon are adopted siblings. When Georgia is killed along with her husband in a car accident, Gordon wants to adopt his 18-month old niece. He is challenged by the husband's family on the grounds that he has no "blood More...
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Aug 05, 2011
Leslie
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This was an interesting series of twists and turns regarding the structuring of a family through adoption and other circumstances. The central figure, a baby named Keefer, is lucky to have so many people vying to claim her. I was surprised by the tempo of the book. The story unfolded well in the beginning, then slowed down for a long time - until the last chapter. It was a staccato burst that took a big leap forward in time and finally, in a retrospective child's tone, explained what had finally
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Jul 14, 2009
Debby
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Jacquelyn Mitchard is one of the best at writing depth of emotions to the point that you feel the emotions along with the characters. It was true in The Deep End of the Ocean and it is true in A Theory of Relativity. This is nother emotional roller coaster of a book by Jacquelyn Mitchard. This one involves the issue of the custody battle and adoptoin of a 1-year-old chold of a couple who were killed instantly in a car crash. The battle between the surviiving families is a no holds barred disput
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Jun 22, 2011
Julie
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I honestly don't know how to rate this book - I wanted to like it, it was well-written, the storyline and subject matter kept me interested, but I had so many problems with things! I had a really hard time connecting with the characters - I didn't like any of them enough to find sympathy for them, even considering the storyline. I really didn't like Delia or her family at all, but also I didn't feel like Gordon really wanted Keefer for any of the right reasons until the very end. I had to si
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Apr 04, 2009
Peggy
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I really enjoy her writing, because her characters are really well drawn. She does have a way of wrapping things up very neatly and a bit oddly in the last 2 books of hers that I've read, but I'll keep reading. A very good exploration of some of the loopholes in the law...in this case, adoption law, but really there are quite a few out there. I'd enjoy a conversation with a number of these characters, although I'm not crazy about the way Gordy treated women, Keefer excepted.
Feb 18, 2011
Bronwyn
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A disappointing ending to a really good book. I was absorbed in this book, loved the pace of it, the exploration of the different characters and the insight into different responses to grief, so the neat wrapping up of all the different strands with a happy families ending was just a little too trite. A pity because the the 21 chapters were fabulous. With an ending more consistent to the struggles faced by the characters in the rest of this book it would have been a 5 star read.
Jul 06, 2009
Kati
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I wanted to like this one and was extremely disappointed that it didn't draw me in like I thought it would. Between the cover and the "blurb" on the inside of the jacket I thought for sure this was going to be a book I couldn't put down. I actually considered more than once putting it down and not picking it back up again. I found it confusing to read at times, and there several things about the plot that I didn't understand. The subject of the story was thought provoking and inter
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May 23, 2010
Vilo
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This book constantly made me think about what family is, what justice is, how we should treat each other. At points I really could not decide what should happen, but when the result was known, it was exactly right. I had read an early Mitchard, but this seemed much better developed, more believable and unique characters. There were a few parts I skipped because it was too sexually graphic for me (a sideplot), but it is a book I am still thinking over.
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Jan 30, 2010
Adrienne
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Theory of Relativity is a heart wrenching story of a custody battle of a little girl after her beloved parents die suddenly in a car crash. I expected the plot to be predictable, and it was anything but. I immediately cared about the fate of little Keefer and hoped that Gordon would be victorious in the end. This book was very sad at parts, but very good as well. I would recommend it and I would also read other books by Jacqueline Mitchard in the future.
Nov 06, 2011
Jen
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Not nearly as good as Deep End of the Ocean. The idea was compelling....is an adopted child a blood relative? But the writing was choppy and I often had to re-read a paragraph or two to understand what the author was saying. Jodi Picoult would have produced a much stronger book on this sensitive subject. And why, why, why does an author make me read 385 pages, and then just wrap up the book with the dumbest conclusion ever?
Jan 22, 2011
blmagm
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Although I find the author's writing style annoying, she does present memorable characters and invites us to examine not only their family dynamics but our own as well. What would we do if we were confronted with those same choices to make in our lives? It would make a good book for a book club to read and talk about together. My copy included thought-provoking discussion questions.
Mar 25, 2009
Kayla
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This book showed me how a "family" forms. A family can form through the bond of common interests or from living in the same house not necessarily from a blood connection. Jacquelyn Mitchard revealed to me that all is not lost when your blood family is not a part of your life.
Feb 28, 2010
Kim
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Family does not have to have a blood connection. At least that is the theme I gathered from this story. A young man, Gordon, faced with a fight for adoption of his niece who's mother and father dies at a young age.
I wanted to love this book. The characters were described in great detail allowing me to connect and feel for their struggles; however, Mitchard's need for every detail and many twisted and turns left me annoyed. Several times I jumped chunks of details so I could get More...
I wanted to love this book. The characters were described in great detail allowing me to connect and feel for their struggles; however, Mitchard's need for every detail and many twisted and turns left me annoyed. Several times I jumped chunks of details so I could get More...
Nov 25, 2009
Tom
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Having perished in a wreck, Georgia and Ray McKenna leave behind an orphaned 1-year-old girl named Keefer--and handsome, self-involved Gordon McKenna decides to adopt his adored sister's child. Unfortunately, that's not what his affluent in-laws have in mind. The ensuing custody battle turns into a protracted legalistic horror show.
Oct 11, 2011
J.
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This book by Mitchard was a good read. Had a little trouble with all the names in the first part of the book but became acquainted with them later on. The plot is gripping and one that I am sure many people have to live and face up to in todays world.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Jan 15, 2011
Maria (Ri)
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This book is filled with heart. It is a beautiful look at the ties of a family, blood related and adopted. I really enjoyed seeing the evolution of Gordon. The book is subtly though obviously slanted toward the McKennas, which is my only criticism. It is a wonderful look at the strong bonds of adoptive families.
Jul 30, 2009
Kathleen
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This book was very good. The beginning was a little slow but then it picked up pace. I felt for both sides of the family in this case. The book does however bring up interesting questions about what really constitutes a family. I cried during parts of this book and highly recommend reading it!
May 09, 2009
Pmcdnld2
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Mitchard's The Deep End of the Ocean was a great book-this one is also good. An infant's young parents are killed in an accident-both families then fight over who should raise the baby. Complicating the case-mom and her brother were adopted-therefore not blood relatives. Very interesting.
Apr 22, 2010
Kandy
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This compelling novel explores adoption with an interesting twist – an adopted daughter dies and leaves care of her baby to her (also adopted) 24-year old brother. This challenges both her family and her in-laws she left behind. I found it engrossing and really enjoyed it.
Aug 27, 2009
Judith
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Typical JM with lots of ugly truths and too many plot holes. I enjoyed the read but not the subject matter which "did my head in". Its about the fight for custody by the two sides of the family of a girl 12-24 months after her parents die. I found it really hard emotionally !!
Aug 11, 2011
Much less emotional than I expected it to be... I mean, the subject itself is so appealing, and I thought I'd be crying from the beginning to the end... But somehow, I felt like it was a bit too technical for me, and only at moments got somewhat captivating.
Jun 28, 2010
Readers with a preference for observing how families in turmoil deal with shocking situations will appreciate this novel of grieving grandparents locked in an anguished custody battle for the sole surviving daughter of parents lost in a car accident.
May 03, 2011
Shauna
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The back of this book was what made me want to read it, but it didn't fulfill my hopes. The storyline is good, and if you enjoy this author, then you will enjoy this book. I did enjoy the story. The only thing that made this book hard for me was the serious detail, and the lack of dialogue. Other than those two downfalls, it was good. I don't think I will read any more of her books, simply because I like more dialogue and less serious detail.
Sep 19, 2010
Sarah
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I am not sure how to rate this book. Part of me didn't like it and yet part of me did. I really did not like the ending of this book. I had nothing against the character who became Gordons wife, but it was just odd and awkward.
Aug 14, 2011
Sarah
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This seemed to be a story right up my alley. Alas! Twas' not the case. I felt as though I was wading through large portions of this dull, poorly written novel. Not only was the premise poorly executed, the ending was also highly improbable adding to my dislike.
Nov 23, 2009
Gaurett
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Another sad book, I did find it interesting since the main premise is a guy trying to adopt his niece but can't because he and his sister were adopted and he is not a blood relative.
Feb 13, 2011
Becky
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Seems like everything I have been reading has been heartbreaking and this is no exception. But it was really good, quite different from anything I have read lately.
Nov 23, 2009
Elizabeth
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after more than one hundred pages, i found myself not interested in the characters in this book. the storyline is interesting enough - custody battle of a child whose parents have died - but the development of the plot just felt too stiffled. moving on.
May 26, 2009
Stacy
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I thought that this was such a great book. I'm adopted as well, so this really affected my thoughts. I have two daughters under two, and now i'm wondering if this can really happen to people because they are adopted?
