If you’re looking for an unusual love story that spans decades, that feels modern but has an old-fashioned heart, then Madeleine Henry has written a book for you. The Love Proof is no ordinary romance novel. Although it unabashedly embraces sincerity and kindness, Henry’s writing also contains intellectual as well as emotional heft ... unique and surprising depth ... Sophie Jones is a delightful conundrum of a character ... a literary journey in which time is filled with meaning, purpose, and caring. Through the arc of Sophie and Jake’s romance, Henry demonstrates that the expression of love is the most important undertaking.
Henry uses deep characterizations and poetic descriptions to deliver a mesmerizing love story that contains a lot of serious science talk but luckily doesn’t require prior knowledge of physics. Fans of stories about the power of first love and the struggle to listen to one’s head or heart should not pass this one up.
The beauty of the story is in Sophie’s perception of time and love, and Jake’s sacrifice for love. Henry’s unusual novel of passions of the intellect as well as the heart is a terrific pick for book clubs whose members enjoy fiction rich in ideas and the unexpected.
... is sure to inspire vigorous discussion of the choices made by several characters, and Sophie and Jake’s love story will resonate with readers whether or not they grasp all of Sophie’s hypotheses. Madeleine Henry has embarked on an unusual project with her planned group of novels exploring a common question, and readers will be eager to see how she tackles the idea of 'self-compassion' in her next book.
Author Henry has done a masterful job. And if an underlying premise appears to be that great academic success and the deep love of daily partnership and family are incompatible in women, it is left for the reader to mull over whether or not it is just a quirk of certain characters or a broader generalization ... This book is academic and heartfelt and tender and loving. It is worth every minute spent reading it.
... tender if familiar ... Though the novel treads well-worn ground in its juxtaposition of science and emotion, Sophie and Jake’s relationship is genuinely endearing. This engaging take on the mysteries of the heart and universe might not have all the answers, but it makes the grade.
