The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything

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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? Mimi for her part just wants some freedom to be her own person; she loves Art but she needs some space where she can be her own person, to know she is love for who she is and not simply as the sister of the older brother who needs lots of caring and shepherding through life or the child who was expected to stand dutifully by while her parents while they tended to Art. They take up so much space in her hallway she has to inch around them to lead the way down the hallway to the kitchen, where she can ask the question she thinks she knows the answer to. Is he dead? She pushes the mail on the floor with her foot as if to tidy up. She sees his name on an envelope. She pulls her sweater down to straighten herself out and smudges imagined mascara residue from beneath her eyes, attending to some abstract decorum required for these moments, just before everything falls apart. The book is billed as “a beautiful, warm-hearted and poignant story” about two siblings, Art and Mimi, who, bound by their parents’ tragic deaths, find themselves living together with their outlook aligned on not quite everything. Mimi and Art’s bond is central to the story. How does their relationship compare to yours with your own siblings? Do you think it’s true that our siblings know our “truest self”?

Are you a “37%er” or a “rule-of- thumber”? Do you agree with Art that “math is everywhere,” and that mathematics makes life better, or is its influence insidious? The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is such a special novel. Tender, unique and uplifting, it explores sibling love, romantic love and the love between friends. Such an accomplished debut.” — Beth O’Leary, internationally bestselling author of The Flatshare and The No-Show 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. Artie,” she says. She wills his body for a sign. But his arms lie flaccid; no hand signals, no blinks. He isn’t going to flash his eyes open or tap out a hello with his index finger.

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. A] sunny debut, in which heart and mind must work together to shed light on a family secret'– Daily Mail

Early morning: Some people find that reading in the morning helps them start their day with a positive and productive mindset. The sight stuns Mimi. Fluorescent lights intensify the daze. She feels her middle lift, as though she’s watching a diorama of the scene from above. 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. 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.I really enjoyed reading The Theory of Not Quite Everything, it felt like a modern romcom with some much bigger issues behind it. Art & Mimi are adult brother and sister, still living together in their 30s after the untimely deaths of both of their parents. The siblings are very intertwined together, with Mimi doing a lot of the practical day to day life admin for the two of them, whilst Art is busy trying to work out an insanely complicated maths problem. Art has some kind of neurodiversity, its not specified but I was assuming some kind of autism, which makes some of the social & personal emotional elements of typical life hard for him to navigate. Mimi, on the other hand, has felt isolated for some time and decides its now time to try and find a partner, aware of how this might upset the balance between her and her brother. Art believes that people - including his sister - are incapable of making sensible decisions when it comes to love. That's what algorithms are for. Mimi knows that her brother is a mathematical genius. But she believes that maths isn't the answer to everything. Not quite. Especially when it comes to love. 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.