The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything by Kara Gnodde
Synopsis
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is a beautiful, warm-hearted and poignant story about two siblings, Art and Mimi Brotherton, who, bound by the tragic death of their parents, find themselves living together as adults with their outlook aligned on not quite everything.
It tells the story of Mimi, who is living a life constrained by the demands of her genius brother. Art is an esteemed mathematics professor, whose every move is dictated by routine and his pursuit to solve an important, notoriously complicated maths problem. When Mimi decides to find love, Art does the only logical thing: devises a strict mathematical algorithm to help her. But then Mimi meets Frank – a hopeless romantic, stargazer, and also a mathematician, and certainly not algorithm approved.
As Art’s mistrust grows, so do Mimi’s feelings, and the siblings’ relationship is tested to breaking point – for something about Frank doesn’t quite add up, and only Art can see it…In a world where three is an always an odd number, will they be able to reconcile their differences and find the answers they’re hoping for?
Reviews
'Tender, unique and uplifting, it explores sibling love, romantic love and the love between friends. Such an accomplished debut' – Beth O'Leary, bestselling author of The Flat Share
'[A] sunny debut, in which heart and mind must work together to shed light on a family secret' – Daily Mail
'Gorgeous' – Rosie Walsh, bestselling author of The Man Who Didn't Call
'My book of the year . . . Smart, funny, tender' – Kate Weinberg, bestselling author of The Truants
'A delightfully clever tale of first love, loss and an unforgettable sibling relationship' – Marianne Cronin, author of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot
About the Author
Kara Gnodde was born in Johannesburg and raised on a diet of Dr. Seuss and no TV. After graduating from the University of Cape Town, she joined Saatchi & Saatchi in London as a strategic planner -- work that required head and heart, her favorite kind. She lived in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore before settling back in the UK with her husband and three children. A discussion on the radio about a math problem that could change the world, or perhaps just help keep her desk tidy, gave her a place to start The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything, her debut novel.