Theory of Relativity brings light to the matter of adoption. It mentions all sorts of laws involved in the process of adoption and the emotions that one goes through. The novel sheds light to different aspects of adoption and how it affects the families involved in it. The main characters of this story are Keefer, her parents Georgia and Ray Jr., McKeannas (Georgia’s family) which includes Loraine... (mother), Mark (father), Gordon (brother). On the other side are Ray Jr.’s family, Diane (mother), Ray (father), Cady’s (cousin sister and her husband).
The story begins with Georgia and Ray Jr. dying in a car accident. Georgia had already been suffering from cancer for a long time. Georgia and Ray had already written in their will that the Keefer is to be taken care by Gordon if anything happens to them but after the funeral they get to know that they had recently made a new will in which they wanted to give the custody of Keefer to Ray’s parents. The McKeannas not ready to let this happen, files for Keefer’s adoption by Gordon, who is still a single man. From the other end, the Cady’s file for Keefer’s guardianship. Thus the dispute begins. It has already been mention at the start of the novel that Gordon and Georgia were adopted by the McKeannas. So this is where the problem occurs where the judge nullifies Gordon’s file for adoption because he is not a blood relative according to the mentioned law whereas the Cady’s are given the guardianship rights of Keefer. The McKeannas disheartened yet determined to get Keefer back, approach the media and with the help of the lawyer they go ahead to voice against the law which says ‘blood relative’ for adoption while on the other hand adopted children should have all the rights as one’s own children.
The theme of the story is captivating yet it failed to keep the reader intrigued. There was difficulty in linking with the characters as the writer moves from one character. Also the writer keeps going back and forth in the story thus making the reader lose interest at times
The story begins with Georgia and Ray Jr. dying in a car accident. Georgia had already been suffering from cancer for a long time. Georgia and Ray had already written in their will that the Keefer is to be taken care by Gordon if anything happens to them but after the funeral they get to know that they had recently made a new will in which they wanted to give the custody of Keefer to Ray’s parents. The McKeannas not ready to let this happen, files for Keefer’s adoption by Gordon, who is still a single man. From the other end, the Cady’s file for Keefer’s guardianship. Thus the dispute begins. It has already been mention at the start of the novel that Gordon and Georgia were adopted by the McKeannas. So this is where the problem occurs where the judge nullifies Gordon’s file for adoption because he is not a blood relative according to the mentioned law whereas the Cady’s are given the guardianship rights of Keefer. The McKeannas disheartened yet determined to get Keefer back, approach the media and with the help of the lawyer they go ahead to voice against the law which says ‘blood relative’ for adoption while on the other hand adopted children should have all the rights as one’s own children.
The theme of the story is captivating yet it failed to keep the reader intrigued. There was difficulty in linking with the characters as the writer moves from one character. Also the writer keeps going back and forth in the story thus making the reader lose interest at times
Tags: book review, A Theory of Relativity, Jacquelyn Mitchard, books, novels