A Theory of Relativity audiobook

I wanted not to like this book; the premise felt too emotionally manipulative, a custody battle over an orphaned infant. But I read it quickly, couldn't put it down, as it got deeper and deeper into a complicated story of who really loved this little girl and why they wanted her. Perhaps what I most appreciated was Mitchard's delving into tiny side stories about what each main character felt and experienced and why, lots of backstory and character development. Gradually the reader comes to understand the depth of each person involved, and to realize that it's not a simple solution. Mitchard's language was elegant, and her understanding of motivation superb. I've read others of her books, and not liked them nearly as much.

I wasn’t sure when I started this book if I wanted to continue but I did... turned into a good story even though I skimmed over some pages about 3/4 of the way through when I though it got bogged down about adoption laws ( I think ..cause I didn’t read it!!) although was interesting about the change of ruling about adoption and blood relationsBit confused about my review... me too!!!

An eye- opening look at the problems one may have to face when adopted and not being classed as a blood relative and good insight into how parents always look for similarities in their children to themselves and yet the adopted child misses out on that.

This is a sort of review (letter) I wrote years ago on Bookcrossing about this book.on Sunday, September 05, 20048 out of 10 Hi How are you? I started this book this morning and am already half through the book. 205/399 After reading a lot of true crime i really needed something else and this was the perfect book . You are right it is a great book I did expect that because I loved her other book The deep End of the Ocean. As with that book I am now wondering what will be in the future for the people in this book because how can this book ever have a happy ending. I had the same thoughts when i read The deep End but in the end it was not so important. I will probably finish it tomorrow so I will update this journal then. Update september 7 2004 Well I did finish it very quickly and It was a great book.

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.

É sobre pessoas, sobre sentimentos, e é sobretudo acerca de todas as contradições de que o ser humano é feito; nunca li nenhum livro desta autora sem me sentir tocada pela sua sensibilidade, há sempre algo para cada um de nós!

SO good. Beautifully written and a heart tugging look at a custody battle and the love of adopted children.

Excellent read very emotionally driven I felt like one of the family watching the whole situation unfold

I'm giving this a four star because of the issues this book raises, and I did enjoy the read. I wish it didn't feel quite as gossipy. There are at least six voices of narration in this story which can make it confusing at times. I also felt the only character I got to know was Gordon, but he was still a mystery at times. What makes this book important is the question at the heart of the book - do you know what will happen to your child(ren) if you and their other parents were to suddenly die? Do you have a will? Have you made your wishes known? Or do you think your families will figure it out? Georgia and Ray had all the incentive to make a plan for Keefer, and failed to - especially if their deaths was a suicide. I lost my dad at a young age and always knew were I was going had my mom also died. The other important question brought up is adoption. In this story adoptive rights were not equal to blood rights. This makes me wonder about how many laws are still existing where a formally adoptive child/sibling does not have the same rights as those related by blood.

To those of us who have adopted family members, of course we think of them the same as "blood" relatives, but by law, this may not always be true. Ms Mitchard tells a story of two adopted siblings, one who tragically dies of cancer when her daughter is a toddler, and the other, who struggles to be a guardian for that little girl & eventually adopt her. There are some weaknesses in the story: namely that the cousin who also wants to adopt the child becomes ill while pregnant & then has a stroke & is unable to care for her own child much less an adopted one. Might this story have ended differently if not for that tragedy? The love of family particularly grandparents & aunts/ uncles comes through loud & clear. Makes you want to know this family & become part of their community.

Great book! This author is the master/mistress of capturing the myriad of thoughts that flow through a persons head connected to current events via past experience, our physical reality and oh so many other things. A well thought out book, with characters that are revealed (Delia and her husband) or developed over time (Gordy). You can see directionally where the book will end up but that doesn’t matter as it is an enjoyable trip getting there

I enjoyed this story about the guardianship of a young child suddenly left orphaned and the family members who all jump to be the guardian. The will had been recently altered, but not finalized so that complicated the determination. The fact that the mother of the child and her brother were both adopted seemed to impact the legality of his standing with the court since he was not a blood relative. The dynamics were very intriguing but I felt that the end left me with some questions.

This book discussed the real struggles of family, loss and custody battles. It took me a little bit to get into this book, but by the end the characters really had my heart. Following Gordon and his emotions and mindset really pulled at the heart strings. His genuine love for his family shown through in his actions. Good book, but give it time to get interesting.

My notes from this period of audiobooks while commuting indicates Harper Audie produced an unabridged version narrated by Juliette Parker. A solid performance augments a mostly solid story development.

Another beautifully written book from this author. All of her characters are rich in detail and expression. It really makes you think about how the law is written and how it is taken. Confusing last chapter, but loved it!

Great topic! Definitely had me thinking and emotionally engaged. I didn't give it five stars because I felt that something was missing. I'm not sure what and can't quite put my finger on it but something. Still great book and would make for a great discussion.

I couldn’t put this book down. It was heart wrenching at times. Tragedy no one ever wants to experience in real life. I did not like the ending though. At all.

Heartbreaking and so living; lost and searching. All combined to make this a great book.