A Most Anticipated Book of 2026
Parade • The Washington Post • Seattle Times • Book Riot • BookBub • TIME
“The best-selling author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette blends the sensual with the sinister in a romp through the museums and maisonettes of genteel Manhattan.” —TIME
“From the bestselling author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette comes another thought-provoking tale about following your own path.” —Woman’s World
“In her new novel, her fourth, a divorced woman named Adora Hazzard is enjoying life with her teenage daughter and a ‘coven’ of friends on the same floor of her building on New York’s Upper West Side. She is not looking for love, and so Semple gives it to her, sparking events that show off the author’s trademark hilarious chaos.” —The Washington Post
“Semple has created something rare in Go Gentle: a story that’s both deeply intellectual and still accessible. This novel is what happens when someone who understands trauma writes about healing. Smart, funny, and devastating in a great way. Read this book.” —Jennette McCurdy, New York Times bestselling author of I’m Glad My Mom Died and Half His Age
“Highly original and loaded with Maria Semple’s signature wit, Go Gentle takes us on a fast, wild ride through the days and nights of a philosopher for whom the meaning of life—and how to get through it—is completely upended by the one thing she never saw coming. Love.” —Bonnie Garmus, New York Times bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry
“Manic and frank, playful and wise, Go Gentle rampages through reality, giving us glimpses into Hollywood writer’s rooms, the lives of the fabulously wealthy New York elite, art heists and philosophical debates, but perhaps most preciously it allows us to glimpse a vision of cronehood as empowering and sexy and fun. Adora Hazzard is a heroine for the ages.” —Rufi Thorpe, author of Margo’s Got Money Troubles
“This is the kind of book I dream of. Hilarious, urbane, touching but never sentimental and just brilliantly plotted. It’s about so many things—art world shenanigans, toxic Hollywood writer rooms, stoic philosophers, and above all, love, love, love. Maria Semple graces her readers with the intrigue, wisdom and belly laughs we deserve.” —Gary Shteyngart, author of Vera, or Faith and Our Country Friends
“I adored this novel and it made me very happy. Go Gentle combines Semple’s giant intellect, genius thinking, rich, witty dialogue and screwball comedy. Brimming with big ideas about art and philosophy and questions about the way we live our lives, this is an intricately plotted mystery, intrigue and romance with a glorious cast of characters.” —Nina Stibbe, award-winning author of Love, Nina
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