Go Gentle

By Maria Semple
** Publication Date 14 April 2026 **
5 stars




Could I actually love a book more than I loved ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette?’ Maybe. Sometimes when an author writes a novel as memorable as Bernadette, you think they’ll never be able to match that one. Go Gentle does. I think, maybe, I might like it even a bit more than Bernadette.


Adora Hazzard has had an interesting life in addition to having an interesting name. Originally determined to be a comedic TV writer, after a few stumbles along the way, she finds philosophy and knows this is her life. As a Stoic, most everything rolls right off her. She loves being single. She loves her job working for a very wealthy old money family in New York City. She lives in a historic hotel that was renovated into apartments with her ‘coven’ of female friends. Life is, in her mind, pretty darn perfect. 


All it takes is just a moment and a mysterious man to turn things upside down.


To say I loved this is truly an understatement. I found the information about Stoics fascinating (beyond the adjective ‘stoic.’) I love how grounded Adora actually seems to be. Her employers and their kids are interesting, as are all the other characters in her life. You will laugh out loud at parts of this, because they are funny. It’s just a joyous ride from start to finish.


Well done Ms. Semple.