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The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything
With the offbeat charm of The Rosie Project and generous warmth of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, a wry, moving debut novel about a pair of unforgettable siblings and a love triangle of sorts—one with math as its beating heart. One of Cosmopolitan's Best Books of 2023 Meet Art and Mimi Brotherton. Devoted siblings and housemates, they’re bound together by the tragic death of their parents. Mathematical genius Art relies on logic, while Mimi prefers to follow her heart. When Mimi decides she needs more from life than dutifully tending to her brilliant brother, she asks for his help to find love. Art agrees, but on one that she find her soulmate using a strict mathematical principle. Things seem promising, until Mimi meets a romantic, spontaneous stargazer who’s also a mathematician. Despite Mimi’s obvious affection for the quirky Frank, Art is wary of him from their very first encounter. As Art's mistrust of Frank grows, so do Mimi's feelings, and the siblings' relationship is brought to a breaking point. Something about Frank doesn't quite add up, and only Art can see it . . . The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is a tender, intelligent and uplifting novel about brothers and sisters, true love in all its forms, and how the answers to life’s biggest questions follow a logic of their own.
368 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2023
214 people are currently reading
16427 people want to read
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August 6, 2023
Best book I’ve ever written!
January 15, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: February 28, 2023
Debut author Kara Gnodde delivers an emotional, quirky and creative plot with “The Rosie Project” and “The Maid” vibes, with characters that are just as likable and honest.
Naomi (Mimi) Brotherton has spend her entire life looking out for her older brother, Art. After the death of their parents, Mimi feels even more responsible for ensuring that Art always feels safe and secure. Art, on the other hand, loses himself in mathematics, desperate to solve the “unsolvable” equation. Mimi’s best friend, Rey, convinces Mimi that she needs to move on with her life and although Mimi knows Art will be uncomfortable with the change, Mimi meets Frank, another mathematician, and feels an instant spark. Art, however, is convinced that Frank isn’t who he claims to be and Mimi is conflicted- does she follow her heart and build a life with Frank? Or does she listen to Art, who has never let her down and has always been the one constant in her life?
“The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything” is poignant, relevant and knows how to tug at all the right heartstrings. Mimi and Art are siblings who have had only each other to lean on and look out for since the death of their parents, but Art’s intelligence and quirky neurodivergent mind have made it difficult for Mimi to live her own life. Their bond is unique, but will touch a chord with anyone who has been affected by loss, or who has a complicated but powerful sibling relationship.
Gnodde’s premise has math as its core, as Art struggles to solve the unsolvable equation. I am not a math person (and by that, I mean I hate math with all the burning fires of Hell), but luckily Gnodde’s delightful characters and charming plot stood out, leaving the math in the background. The story is told by both Art and Mimi, allowing the reader to connect to both siblings on a deeply emotional level.
There are many twists and turns in this novel, and the chapters are short, making “Theory” a hard-to-put-down page-turner. I love novels that have a neurodivergent character in the forefront, and to think that this is a debut? Gnodde will have a hard act to follow but I’m eagerly anticipating her next work.
Expected publication date: February 28, 2023
Debut author Kara Gnodde delivers an emotional, quirky and creative plot with “The Rosie Project” and “The Maid” vibes, with characters that are just as likable and honest.
Naomi (Mimi) Brotherton has spend her entire life looking out for her older brother, Art. After the death of their parents, Mimi feels even more responsible for ensuring that Art always feels safe and secure. Art, on the other hand, loses himself in mathematics, desperate to solve the “unsolvable” equation. Mimi’s best friend, Rey, convinces Mimi that she needs to move on with her life and although Mimi knows Art will be uncomfortable with the change, Mimi meets Frank, another mathematician, and feels an instant spark. Art, however, is convinced that Frank isn’t who he claims to be and Mimi is conflicted- does she follow her heart and build a life with Frank? Or does she listen to Art, who has never let her down and has always been the one constant in her life?
“The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything” is poignant, relevant and knows how to tug at all the right heartstrings. Mimi and Art are siblings who have had only each other to lean on and look out for since the death of their parents, but Art’s intelligence and quirky neurodivergent mind have made it difficult for Mimi to live her own life. Their bond is unique, but will touch a chord with anyone who has been affected by loss, or who has a complicated but powerful sibling relationship.
Gnodde’s premise has math as its core, as Art struggles to solve the unsolvable equation. I am not a math person (and by that, I mean I hate math with all the burning fires of Hell), but luckily Gnodde’s delightful characters and charming plot stood out, leaving the math in the background. The story is told by both Art and Mimi, allowing the reader to connect to both siblings on a deeply emotional level.
There are many twists and turns in this novel, and the chapters are short, making “Theory” a hard-to-put-down page-turner. I love novels that have a neurodivergent character in the forefront, and to think that this is a debut? Gnodde will have a hard act to follow but I’m eagerly anticipating her next work.
June 29, 2025
Задумка чудова, персонажі класні, реалізація така, ніби в авторки горіли всі дедлайни і спалили трохи логіки.
March 14, 2023
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is the first novel by South African-born British author, Kara Gnodde. For thirteen years now, ever since their parents’ tragic deaths, Mimi Brotherton has looked after her older brother, Art in their family home at 19 Muriel Grove. Professor Arthur Brotherton is a talented mathematician and “the deal of her life has always been: she is ordinary so that Art could be special.”
Early on, Mimi realised that “She’d have to stay home, reduced back to a data point in the great grand story of her genius brother and his all-important maths.” But now she’s finally decided to give up the museum job she hates, team up with her best friend Rey as a Foley artist, and look for romance. She goes for online dating, and gets Art to check out the sites to find the one with the best algorithm.
Art applies maths to the problem and (of course) has a theory for finding the right partner for his sister: having estimated how long she is prepared to search for the ideal partner, he informs her that “after thirty-seven percent, you settle on the very next man who is better than the ones who have gone before. That is the moment you can stop wondering if there is someone better out there. In all likelihood, there is not.”
But then Mimi meets Frank Taylor at a Mathematics Awards night. Frank is a mathematician too, so why isn’t Art pleased? Frank makes her feel truly loved; could Art be worried only about his own welfare? If Mimi leaves with Frank, he’ll have to fend for himself, and that would be a major distraction from his important work.
Art’s main research is on p versus Np, but he’s (perhaps excessively) paranoid that someone, the wrong someone, is stealing his work and will get there before him. It’s not the prize money he cares about; it’s the potential damage the wrong person might wreak with such powerful knowledge. And his suspicions have ramped up since Frank has appeared on the scene. Has Frank been entirely honest with Mimi?
After a nasty spat between the siblings that involves a pepper grinder and a broken wrist, Mimi goes away to break the tension. It’s during Mimi’s short absence that Art is hit by Frank’s car and ends up in an induced coma, with a severe brain injury. Frank swears it was an accident. Can Mimi believe him? Will she lose her brother? And if he survives, will Art lose his maths?
Gnodde’s story is original, her quirky characters easily endear themselves to the reader, and there are a few red herrings and distractions to build the intrigue and keep the pages turning. It is tightly plotted ensuring that even the most astute reader is unlikely to figure out all the angles.
Gnodde’s story touches on grief and guilt, on feeling abandoned, loneliness and loyalty, and, of course, love. Gnodde has a marvellous turn of phrase: “She even made them up in her head when Art wasn’t around, his opinions serving as guardrails to her bouncing thoughts.” This debut novel is funny and moving, and Gnodde’s next work will be eagerly anticipated
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Pan Macmillan.
Early on, Mimi realised that “She’d have to stay home, reduced back to a data point in the great grand story of her genius brother and his all-important maths.” But now she’s finally decided to give up the museum job she hates, team up with her best friend Rey as a Foley artist, and look for romance. She goes for online dating, and gets Art to check out the sites to find the one with the best algorithm.
Art applies maths to the problem and (of course) has a theory for finding the right partner for his sister: having estimated how long she is prepared to search for the ideal partner, he informs her that “after thirty-seven percent, you settle on the very next man who is better than the ones who have gone before. That is the moment you can stop wondering if there is someone better out there. In all likelihood, there is not.”
But then Mimi meets Frank Taylor at a Mathematics Awards night. Frank is a mathematician too, so why isn’t Art pleased? Frank makes her feel truly loved; could Art be worried only about his own welfare? If Mimi leaves with Frank, he’ll have to fend for himself, and that would be a major distraction from his important work.
Art’s main research is on p versus Np, but he’s (perhaps excessively) paranoid that someone, the wrong someone, is stealing his work and will get there before him. It’s not the prize money he cares about; it’s the potential damage the wrong person might wreak with such powerful knowledge. And his suspicions have ramped up since Frank has appeared on the scene. Has Frank been entirely honest with Mimi?
After a nasty spat between the siblings that involves a pepper grinder and a broken wrist, Mimi goes away to break the tension. It’s during Mimi’s short absence that Art is hit by Frank’s car and ends up in an induced coma, with a severe brain injury. Frank swears it was an accident. Can Mimi believe him? Will she lose her brother? And if he survives, will Art lose his maths?
Gnodde’s story is original, her quirky characters easily endear themselves to the reader, and there are a few red herrings and distractions to build the intrigue and keep the pages turning. It is tightly plotted ensuring that even the most astute reader is unlikely to figure out all the angles.
Gnodde’s story touches on grief and guilt, on feeling abandoned, loneliness and loyalty, and, of course, love. Gnodde has a marvellous turn of phrase: “She even made them up in her head when Art wasn’t around, his opinions serving as guardrails to her bouncing thoughts.” This debut novel is funny and moving, and Gnodde’s next work will be eagerly anticipated
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Pan Macmillan.
October 16, 2022
This book started out slow for me. It took me a while to understand and like Mimi and Art. But once I did, I fell madly in love. I thought the book did a great job making the reader experience Mimi's confusion about Frank and balancing her own happiness with the need to take care of her bother.
Even though there are bits and pieces of this story I could criticize, overall I really loved it. It explores deep meaningful topics like family, parent's death, connection, love, trust, safety, friendship, fear and loneliness. There's so much depth and beauty to the real characters here.
with gratitude to HarperCollins and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Even though there are bits and pieces of this story I could criticize, overall I really loved it. It explores deep meaningful topics like family, parent's death, connection, love, trust, safety, friendship, fear and loneliness. There's so much depth and beauty to the real characters here.
with gratitude to HarperCollins and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2023
3.5ish. I enjoyed this one. I liked the relationships between the siblings, both siblings with Rey, and later on Ernest, but Mimi’s romance dragged on for me. The comparisons to the Rosie project seem apt for the main character, there didn’t see many similarities past that though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2023
In the last half, there was so so much going on & I’m still a bit confused tbh. Art barely got more bearable but I liked Mimi. Overall, it was like a “meh”
March 18, 2024
Δεν μ άρεσε. Με εκνεύρισε η αδελφική σχέση οπως προβάλλεται. Το θέμα, η εξέλιξη δεν με εντυπωσίασαν. Δεν το βρήκα feelgood
February 27, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting study in familial relationships, lasting trauma and how we are all hostage to our own perceptions, thoughts and preconceived ideas. No one has a monopoly on ‘the truth’ and we can all draw incorrect conclusions for the right reasons and conversely, correct conclusions for the wrong reasons.
Those who like quirky family stories will really enjoy this. The blurb references ‘Eleanor Oliphant’. The writing isn’t quite as nuanced, but it is still good. It does flip perspectives a fair bit between the two main characters. But it didn’t take me too long to get used to it.
I don’t want to provide any spoilers, but two things to bear in mind, none of the characters are superfluous, they are all there for a reason. The other thing was a particular thought that kept coming to mind - just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. This thought was resolved in my reading of the story, but I won’t tell you how because that would be spoiling the ending.
And the maths? As with all devices of this nature, it isn’t there for mathematical purposes, it’s there because of what it says about us, our world and how we think and feel about ‘stuff’. Which is probably what maths is about anyway.
So if you like a quirky read which has a bit of meat on its bones, you will probably enjoy it.
Those who like quirky family stories will really enjoy this. The blurb references ‘Eleanor Oliphant’. The writing isn’t quite as nuanced, but it is still good. It does flip perspectives a fair bit between the two main characters. But it didn’t take me too long to get used to it.
I don’t want to provide any spoilers, but two things to bear in mind, none of the characters are superfluous, they are all there for a reason. The other thing was a particular thought that kept coming to mind - just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. This thought was resolved in my reading of the story, but I won’t tell you how because that would be spoiling the ending.
And the maths? As with all devices of this nature, it isn’t there for mathematical purposes, it’s there because of what it says about us, our world and how we think and feel about ‘stuff’. Which is probably what maths is about anyway.
So if you like a quirky read which has a bit of meat on its bones, you will probably enjoy it.
October 25, 2022
A story of two siblings, a brother and sister, who look out for one another and have only got each other after the untimely demise of both their parents.
Art is a keen mathematician with ideas and fixations that mean his sister, Mimi, feels she could never leave him alone. And he is on the edge of solving a specific mathematical problem that mathematicians worldwide are trying to solve. His work is like an obsession.
But, she wants more in life, including romantic love, which Art cannot understand, seeing as in his eyes and mind, there is a reason for everything and a fact to back it up.
She meets Frank at a Mathematics awards ceremony, and he seems perfect. Too perfect, according to Art, whose mathematical equation Frank hasn't fallen in line with.
Okay, so I will admit this was a slow starter. There was a lot to unravel before things picked up and made me want to read more, but the book's last quarter really pulled me in.
The siblings have a tragic past, shrouded in cover-ups and tales that need to be uncovered for them to move on in life truly. But it takes time for the reader to really understand what is going on and why they need to be invested.
I'm glad I finished it, but it was hard to get into. If you do read it, persevere. It gets better and easier to understand as you go on, promise!
Many thanks to Netgalley and PanMacmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Art is a keen mathematician with ideas and fixations that mean his sister, Mimi, feels she could never leave him alone. And he is on the edge of solving a specific mathematical problem that mathematicians worldwide are trying to solve. His work is like an obsession.
But, she wants more in life, including romantic love, which Art cannot understand, seeing as in his eyes and mind, there is a reason for everything and a fact to back it up.
She meets Frank at a Mathematics awards ceremony, and he seems perfect. Too perfect, according to Art, whose mathematical equation Frank hasn't fallen in line with.
Okay, so I will admit this was a slow starter. There was a lot to unravel before things picked up and made me want to read more, but the book's last quarter really pulled me in.
The siblings have a tragic past, shrouded in cover-ups and tales that need to be uncovered for them to move on in life truly. But it takes time for the reader to really understand what is going on and why they need to be invested.
I'm glad I finished it, but it was hard to get into. If you do read it, persevere. It gets better and easier to understand as you go on, promise!
Many thanks to Netgalley and PanMacmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
April 18, 2023
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is everything I had ever wanted in a book.
It is smart, intelligent, funny, heartbreaking and warm in an indescribable way. It is awkward, deliberately so, when you have siblings, suffering and dealing, albeit differently, from abandonment. Is it perceived though?
A brother who is methodically looking out for his sister, applying mathematical probabilities and algorithms, and a sister who feels stuck, literally, to her socially awkward brother and feels that it is her job, although burdened, to take care of him. Forever.
When Mimi expresses her desire to find someone to love, for and by herself only, Art unleashes a plan, and a process, to help her, or maybe, save her from herself as directed.
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything will break your heart, and mend it. Will have you whispering to yourself, and finally, will leave you satiated in the knowledge that when we finally get out of our way, love will find us ready to let it do its thing. Love us completely and unreservedly.
Kara Gnodde, "I will follow you."
It is smart, intelligent, funny, heartbreaking and warm in an indescribable way. It is awkward, deliberately so, when you have siblings, suffering and dealing, albeit differently, from abandonment. Is it perceived though?
A brother who is methodically looking out for his sister, applying mathematical probabilities and algorithms, and a sister who feels stuck, literally, to her socially awkward brother and feels that it is her job, although burdened, to take care of him. Forever.
When Mimi expresses her desire to find someone to love, for and by herself only, Art unleashes a plan, and a process, to help her, or maybe, save her from herself as directed.
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything will break your heart, and mend it. Will have you whispering to yourself, and finally, will leave you satiated in the knowledge that when we finally get out of our way, love will find us ready to let it do its thing. Love us completely and unreservedly.
Kara Gnodde, "I will follow you."
April 27, 2023
Nope. Just nope. What a weird, confusing book. Skimmed it.
March 16, 2024
Η Μίμι και ο Αρτ, είναι δυο αδέρφια που ζούν μαζί από όταν έχασαν τους γονείς τους - κάτι που έχει στιγματίσει τη ζωή της Μίμι. Ο Αρτ, είναι μαθηματική ιδιοφυία και προσπαθήσει να λύσει έναν από τοπυς πιο δύσκολους γρίφους. Όταν η Μίμι νιώθει ότι ήρθε η ώρα της να ερωτευτεί, ο Αρτ, της εχει τη λύση μέσω φυσικά των μαθηματικών τύπων και εξισώσεων. Να όμως που ο έρωτας έρχεται για τη Μίμι με άλλο τρόπο κι αυτό φέρνει αναστάτωση στη σχέση των δύο αδερφών. Άραγε, μπορούν τα μαθηματικά να έχουν την απάντηση για όλα?
Θα ξεκινήσω λέγοντας ότι το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου με είχε προβληματίσει γιατί προσπαθούσα να μπω στο κλίμα του. Μέσω της σχέσης Μίμις και Αρτ, η συγγραφέας μιλά για τον αδελφικό δεσμό, μια σχέση πολύ έντονη, σε σημείο εξάρτησης στη συγκεκριμμένη περίπτωση, αλλά και το πόσο η απώλεια των γονιών, μπορεί να καθορίσει τις ζωές μας.
Τα δυο αδέλφια, ένιωσαν μια μορφή εγκατάλειψης μετά από μια τέτοια απώλεια, κι ισχυροποίησαν την μεταξύ τους σχέση, ως την μόνη σταθερά στη ζωή τους. Ο έρωτας, είναι απρόβλεπτος παράγοντας και δεν μπαίνει σε κουτάκια, ούτε λειτιουργεί με μαθηματικούς υπολογισμούς.
Θα ξεκινήσω λέγοντας ότι το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου με είχε προβληματίσει γιατί προσπαθούσα να μπω στο κλίμα του. Μέσω της σχέσης Μίμις και Αρτ, η συγγραφέας μιλά για τον αδελφικό δεσμό, μια σχέση πολύ έντονη, σε σημείο εξάρτησης στη συγκεκριμμένη περίπτωση, αλλά και το πόσο η απώλεια των γονιών, μπορεί να καθορίσει τις ζωές μας.
Τα δυο αδέλφια, ένιωσαν μια μορφή εγκατάλειψης μετά από μια τέτοια απώλεια, κι ισχυροποίησαν την μεταξύ τους σχέση, ως την μόνη σταθερά στη ζωή τους. Ο έρωτας, είναι απρόβλεπτος παράγοντας και δεν μπαίνει σε κουτάκια, ούτε λειτιουργεί με μαθηματικούς υπολογισμούς.
July 14, 2023
Sheldon meets Friends
February 22, 2024
meh
2.5-3
2.5-3
February 17, 2023
Sibling love. Parental love. Romantic love. And maths.
Maybe I shouldn't write a review straight after finishing a book, as a couple of glistening tears are still drying under my eyes. But I didn't expect to be as moved as I was when I begun this. I thought I was getting more of a Rosie Project comedy.
Not that I mind. This turned into a deeper look at the nature of love, guilt and responsibility. Adult siblings Art and Mimi live together, Mimi having given up her own ambitions after the death of their parents 13 years ago to stay with her mathematical genius brother as he works on problems that could change the world.
Now in their thirties, Mimi braves opening up and saying she wants to look for love. Art agrees - if she in turn will agree to follow a mathematical formula for finding someone suitable. As we can all guess, love and formulae are not likely to go hand in hand, and Mimi meets Frank outside of her brother's agreed schedule, setting and sums.
What readers think is going to be a story about adults finding their paths and letting go, well, it's more than that and revelations are dropped into the mix like pebbles into water causing ripples to the burgeoning and established relationships.
I enjoyed the love story (quite romantic at times, and also realistic in its portrayal of a couple struggling to move together despite Mimi's guilt towards her brother), loved Art and Mimi, felt Rey (Mimi's friend) was a little underused. I liked the movement between the two siblings as narrators (though the formatting was poor in the proof edition I read, with no gaps between, or even changes in font for texts, making it slightly awkward to spot the changes).
This was so moving, by the end and the final facts coming to light I was sobbing just a little bit. But a beautiful resolution and a very affecting story, would recommend. Not enough maths to put anyone off who's not a fan, but it was well integrated into the plot.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Maybe I shouldn't write a review straight after finishing a book, as a couple of glistening tears are still drying under my eyes. But I didn't expect to be as moved as I was when I begun this. I thought I was getting more of a Rosie Project comedy.
Not that I mind. This turned into a deeper look at the nature of love, guilt and responsibility. Adult siblings Art and Mimi live together, Mimi having given up her own ambitions after the death of their parents 13 years ago to stay with her mathematical genius brother as he works on problems that could change the world.
Now in their thirties, Mimi braves opening up and saying she wants to look for love. Art agrees - if she in turn will agree to follow a mathematical formula for finding someone suitable. As we can all guess, love and formulae are not likely to go hand in hand, and Mimi meets Frank outside of her brother's agreed schedule, setting and sums.
What readers think is going to be a story about adults finding their paths and letting go, well, it's more than that and revelations are dropped into the mix like pebbles into water causing ripples to the burgeoning and established relationships.
I enjoyed the love story (quite romantic at times, and also realistic in its portrayal of a couple struggling to move together despite Mimi's guilt towards her brother), loved Art and Mimi, felt Rey (Mimi's friend) was a little underused. I liked the movement between the two siblings as narrators (though the formatting was poor in the proof edition I read, with no gaps between, or even changes in font for texts, making it slightly awkward to spot the changes).
This was so moving, by the end and the final facts coming to light I was sobbing just a little bit. But a beautiful resolution and a very affecting story, would recommend. Not enough maths to put anyone off who's not a fan, but it was well integrated into the plot.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
March 13, 2024
Πόσο λοιπόν ορθολογιστές είναι αυτοί που ασχολούνται με τους αλγόριθμος και γενικότερα τα μαθηματικά?
Μέσα από τις σελίδες του βιβλίου θα ανατρέξουμε μία περίπλοκη αδελφική σχέση του Αρτ κ της Μίμις, μία σχέση προστατευτική που πολλές φορές μετατρέπεται σε μία ρουφήχτρα και σε καταπίνει μέσα της.
Η Μίμι είναι ένα πλάσμα γεμάτο ενέργεια και όρεξη να εξερευνήσει όλες τις πτυχές της ζωής. Ο Αρτ από την άλλη πλευρά έχει αφιερώσει όλη του τη ζωή προσπαθώντας να αποδείξει ότι οι κανόνες είναι τα θεμέλια της ζωής. Εχει τοποθετήσει την καθημερινότητα του όλη σε κουτάκια προσεκτικά στοιχειοθετημένα και δεν θέλει τίποτα να τον κάνει να παρεκκλίνει από το στόχο του. Ένας άνθρωπος που δεν έχει στραφεί ποτέ προς τα μέσα του ,με αποτέλεσμα να μην καταφέρει ουσιαστικά να γνωρίσει ούτε τον ίδιου του τον εαυτό...
Ξαφνικά η Μίμι συνειδητοποιεί ότι αυτό που λείπει για να ζωντανέψει η ζωή της και να πάρει μία άλλη διάσταση είναι ο έρωτας κ αρχίζει διστακτικά το παιχνίδι αναζήτησης.
Πόσο υποστηρικτικός θα είναι ο αδερφός της σε αυτό της το βήμα?
Ένα βιβλίο που θα χρωματίσει όλες τις προβληματικές ζώνες στους οικογενειακούς δεσμούς.
Σχέσεις που πολλές φορές μετατρέπονται σε θηλιά, οικογενειακές σκιές που σε έχουν στοιχειώσει χωρίς να το συνειδητοποιείς, αποφάσεις άλλων που καθορίζουν και αποδυναμώνουν την ύπαρξή σου.
Άραγε ξεπερνιέται το αίσθημα της εγκατάλειψης ή μπορείς να πορευτείς με αυτό και να γίνει ασπίδα στη ζωή σου?
Δεν θα το χαρακτήριζα απόλυτα feelgood βιβλίο, ένιωσα αρκετά φορτισμένες ορισμένες σελίδες, εναντιώθηκα σε αρκετά σημεία με τις αποφάσεις των ηρώων και θεώρησα ότι η λύτρωση και η συγχώρεση προέκυψαν αρκετά βεβιασμένα. Παρόλα αυτά ήταν ένα βιβλίο που κύλησε γρήγορα κ με κράτησε όμορφη συντροφιά
Μέσα από τις σελίδες του βιβλίου θα ανατρέξουμε μία περίπλοκη αδελφική σχέση του Αρτ κ της Μίμις, μία σχέση προστατευτική που πολλές φορές μετατρέπεται σε μία ρουφήχτρα και σε καταπίνει μέσα της.
Η Μίμι είναι ένα πλάσμα γεμάτο ενέργεια και όρεξη να εξερευνήσει όλες τις πτυχές της ζωής. Ο Αρτ από την άλλη πλευρά έχει αφιερώσει όλη του τη ζωή προσπαθώντας να αποδείξει ότι οι κανόνες είναι τα θεμέλια της ζωής. Εχει τοποθετήσει την καθημερινότητα του όλη σε κουτάκια προσεκτικά στοιχειοθετημένα και δεν θέλει τίποτα να τον κάνει να παρεκκλίνει από το στόχο του. Ένας άνθρωπος που δεν έχει στραφεί ποτέ προς τα μέσα του ,με αποτέλεσμα να μην καταφέρει ουσιαστικά να γνωρίσει ούτε τον ίδιου του τον εαυτό...
Ξαφνικά η Μίμι συνειδητοποιεί ότι αυτό που λείπει για να ζωντανέψει η ζωή της και να πάρει μία άλλη διάσταση είναι ο έρωτας κ αρχίζει διστακτικά το παιχνίδι αναζήτησης.
Πόσο υποστηρικτικός θα είναι ο αδερφός της σε αυτό της το βήμα?
Ένα βιβλίο που θα χρωματίσει όλες τις προβληματικές ζώνες στους οικογενειακούς δεσμούς.
Σχέσεις που πολλές φορές μετατρέπονται σε θηλιά, οικογενειακές σκιές που σε έχουν στοιχειώσει χωρίς να το συνειδητοποιείς, αποφάσεις άλλων που καθορίζουν και αποδυναμώνουν την ύπαρξή σου.
Άραγε ξεπερνιέται το αίσθημα της εγκατάλειψης ή μπορείς να πορευτείς με αυτό και να γίνει ασπίδα στη ζωή σου?
Δεν θα το χαρακτήριζα απόλυτα feelgood βιβλίο, ένιωσα αρκετά φορτισμένες ορισμένες σελίδες, εναντιώθηκα σε αρκετά σημεία με τις αποφάσεις των ηρώων και θεώρησα ότι η λύτρωση και η συγχώρεση προέκυψαν αρκετά βεβιασμένα. Παρόλα αυτά ήταν ένα βιβλίο που κύλησε γρήγορα κ με κράτησε όμορφη συντροφιά
February 20, 2024
«Η θεωρία (σχεδόν) των πάντων» της Kara Gnodde απο τις @metaixmiobooks
Η Μίμι και ο Αρτ Μπράδερτον είναι αδέρφια. Ο χαμός των γονιών τους όμως, τους οδήγησε στο να είναι υπερβολικά εξαρτώμενοι ο ένας απ’τον άλλον σε σημείο που ξεπερνάει τα όρια της αδερφικής σχέσης. Στα 37 της χρόνια, η Μίμι σκέφτεται το ενδεχόμενο να κάνει την δική της οικογένεια και το συζητάει με τον Αρτ.
Ένα βιβλίο για την απώλεια και το κενό που αφήνει μέσα μας, για την αδερφική αγάπη, τη φιλία και τον έρωτα. Μου άρεσε πολύ! Αν και πραγματεύεται δύσκολα θέματα, είναι γραμμένο με μια δόση αισιοδοξίας.
Η Μίμι και ο Αρτ Μπράδερτον είναι αδέρφια. Ο χαμός των γονιών τους όμως, τους οδήγησε στο να είναι υπερβολικά εξαρτώμενοι ο ένας απ’τον άλλον σε σημείο που ξεπερνάει τα όρια της αδερφικής σχέσης. Στα 37 της χρόνια, η Μίμι σκέφτεται το ενδεχόμενο να κάνει την δική της οικογένεια και το συζητάει με τον Αρτ.
Ένα βιβλίο για την απώλεια και το κενό που αφήνει μέσα μας, για την αδερφική αγάπη, τη φιλία και τον έρωτα. Μου άρεσε πολύ! Αν και πραγματεύεται δύσκολα θέματα, είναι γραμμένο με μια δόση αισιοδοξίας.
May 14, 2023
4.5 stars
Really enjoyed this and of course as an engineer I loved the mathematics theme. Amazing for a debut novel in my opinion. Something was missing though and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I feel like the conclusion was a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book. I also am not a huge fan of Frank and Mimi together…
Really enjoyed this and of course as an engineer I loved the mathematics theme. Amazing for a debut novel in my opinion. Something was missing though and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I feel like the conclusion was a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book. I also am not a huge fan of Frank and Mimi together…
June 18, 2024
Everyone was annoying. The book was trying to go way too many directions. Boring from start to finish. Should have dnf’ed but at least it count to my goal
October 30, 2024
3.5⭐️
February 17, 2025
Wow a really beautiful and complex book. Would give it 6 stars if I could.
I was hooked by the end of the second chapter and then begun to care and love Mimi and Art intensely and all of their flaws. I really enjoyed the development of this complex and intricate sibling relationship especially as it morphed throughout the book, especially with the introduction of Frank and Ernest.
Highly recommend.
I was hooked by the end of the second chapter and then begun to care and love Mimi and Art intensely and all of their flaws. I really enjoyed the development of this complex and intricate sibling relationship especially as it morphed throughout the book, especially with the introduction of Frank and Ernest.
Highly recommend.
Read
March 13, 2024Great work by the narrator. I had a little chuckle at the parents’ South African accents and then I realised I probably sound like that 😳
December 13, 2023
Το βιβλίο αυτό σε καθηλώνει από τις πρώτες σελίδες του με τους χαρακτήρες του αλλά κυρίως με τις σχέσεις που αναπτύσσονται μεταξύ τους. Αδελφική, ερωτική, φιλική, γονική αγάπη αναπτύσσονται και μπερδεύονται με γρήγορες, κάποιες φορές αβέβαιες κινήσεις δημιουργώντας έναν πολύχρωμο, μα άλυτο γρίφο. Κι ο εγωισμός είναι αυτός που τον κάνει να μοιάζει ακόμα πιο ακατόρθωτος να λυθεί, τη στιγμή που οι αλήθειες θα έσωζαν πολύτιμο χρόνο.
Και όσο προχωράει η ιστορία είναι όλα τα συναισθήματα εκεί κι εσύ απλώς θες να συνεχίσεις μέχρι να βρεις πώς θα μπουν ξανά στη θέση τους τα τετραγωνάκια που ανήκουν μαζί, δίπλα δίπλα. Αλλά τελικά, μήπως στη ζωή δεν έχει και τόσο σημασία να ξαναβάζεις στη σειρά τα ίδια χρωματικά τετραγωνάκια αλλά να μάθεις να ζεις με τον συνδυασμό τους;
Trigger Warning!
Θα μπορούσε να χαρακτηριστεί ίσως ως ένα feelgood βιβλίο, αλλά σίγουρα δε θα έπρεπε να ξεκινήσεις με αυτήν την ιδέα, καθώς μέσα θα βρεις έντονη αίσθηση απώλειας, πένθος, ψυχικά τραύματα, ατυχήματα και ξεσπάσματα, που ενδεχομένως να σε κάνουν να αισθανθείς άβολα.
Κι όμως, προσωπικά, στο βάθος του το βρήκα σαν μια κουβέρτα που τραβάς πάνω στα παγωμένα άκρα σου και ξαφνικά σταματάς να νιώθεις τόσο μόνη/ος. Γυρνάς τις σελίδες και νιώθεις σταδιακά τη ζεστασιά να φτάνει από τα άκρα μέχρι τον πυρήνα σου.
Και όσο προχωράει η ιστορία είναι όλα τα συναισθήματα εκεί κι εσύ απλώς θες να συνεχίσεις μέχρι να βρεις πώς θα μπουν ξανά στη θέση τους τα τετραγωνάκια που ανήκουν μαζί, δίπλα δίπλα. Αλλά τελικά, μήπως στη ζωή δεν έχει και τόσο σημασία να ξαναβάζεις στη σειρά τα ίδια χρωματικά τετραγωνάκια αλλά να μάθεις να ζεις με τον συνδυασμό τους;
Trigger Warning!
Θα μπορούσε να χαρακτηριστεί ίσως ως ένα feelgood βιβλίο, αλλά σίγουρα δε θα έπρεπε να ξεκινήσεις με αυτήν την ιδέα, καθώς μέσα θα βρεις έντονη αίσθηση απώλειας, πένθος, ψυχικά τραύματα, ατυχήματα και ξεσπάσματα, που ενδεχομένως να σε κάνουν να αισθανθείς άβολα.
Κι όμως, προσωπικά, στο βάθος του το βρήκα σαν μια κουβέρτα που τραβάς πάνω στα παγωμένα άκρα σου και ξαφνικά σταματάς να νιώθεις τόσο μόνη/ος. Γυρνάς τις σελίδες και νιώθεις σταδιακά τη ζεστασιά να φτάνει από τα άκρα μέχρι τον πυρήνα σου.
February 28, 2023
A bit of a slow start to this book but it was worth the wait. I loved Art and Mimi and they’re found family. Art and Mimi’s complicated relationship is described perfectly. Art is neurodivergent and a mathematical genius and Mimi has lived under his shadow for her whole life. After their parents’ deaths when the siblings are young adults, they only have each other and Mimi ends up essentially being a pseudo-caretaker for Art. They have a co-dependent relationship that becomes more unhealthy as they grow older and Mimi starts to want an independent life and a romantic relationship. Art struggles with this and you see how difficult it is for him to communicate with Mimi (and vice versa). Mimi has to balance her love for Art with her desire to have a life outside of her role as his sister.
There is also a legitimate plot that becomes more interesting as you read. I would say the first 40% of the book took me awhile to get into but then I couldn’t put it down.
It ended up being a very sweet, heartwarming read that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is also a legitimate plot that becomes more interesting as you read. I would say the first 40% of the book took me awhile to get into but then I couldn’t put it down.
It ended up being a very sweet, heartwarming read that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2023
I have so many mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, I love Gnodde's writing style and how intensely emotional The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is. It has been a long time since a book made me cry and this one really had the waterworks flowing.
Art is easily my favorite character and I wanted so much more of him! The bond between Art and Mimi perfectly touched on how complex sibling relationships are. Sometimes they're your biggest competitor, your biggest supporter, and your reason for keeping it all together shoved into one tiny meat sack that you can't live without.
On the other hand, this book needed editing. And a lot of it. From small errors left behind by the copywriter/editing team and unnecessary detractions from the story, this book could have been 30-40 pages shorter.
On one hand, I love Gnodde's writing style and how intensely emotional The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is. It has been a long time since a book made me cry and this one really had the waterworks flowing.
Art is easily my favorite character and I wanted so much more of him! The bond between Art and Mimi perfectly touched on how complex sibling relationships are. Sometimes they're your biggest competitor, your biggest supporter, and your reason for keeping it all together shoved into one tiny meat sack that you can't live without.
On the other hand, this book needed editing. And a lot of it. From small errors left behind by the copywriter/editing team and unnecessary detractions from the story, this book could have been 30-40 pages shorter.
March 1, 2023
Completely unexpected; emotionally surprising.
August 7, 2024
Not a huge fan of this book. It took a long time to finish because I just didn’t want to pick it up. I will say that I never knew where it was going, so I’ll give the author that. Wouldn’t read again
May 29, 2025
To be honest, this book is not one of the kind I will usually read, I had to read it, because of my booklclub. I started open-minded and ready to give it a try. I think that this book is more promising than what it has to offer. Both main characters have some issues, which is fine, but they never acknowledge them or try to fix them. The only time I can say I could relate to Naomi, was when she had thoughts about murdering Art. Moreover, I was TIRED by her constantly saying that she NEEDS to find love and a boyfriend. Girlllll! Your life is more miserable than my exam period. Do something about that. I can't with people that think, that once they find love, their life will magically become perfect. NO! If you don't take care of your life, it will continue to be like shit. Also, Art you were always getting on my nerves sooooo freaking much that I wished that your theory will be stolen. One more thing: You can't get into people's houses like that, it's illegal. Frank was an OK character, I have neutral feelings for him. At some point I thought that he was cheating on Naomi with Rey and that Naomi will end up with Ernest. Rey was also cool, nothing special. While reading the book, I was feeling that it was a bit chaotic. I did not like the ending, in such sweet books I hate happy endings. Overall, this book could have done so many more things, but I believe that it lost its opportunities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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