Maria Semple's 'Go Gentle' Review: A Joyfully Clever New York Romcom
What would Marcus Aurelius have thought of the Kardashians? Could Seneca find humour in mindfulness apps? These are questions that might never have crossed your mind until diving into Maria Semple's latest novel, Go Gentle. In this exuberant tale, Semple, acclaimed for her bestselling Where’d You Go, Bernadette?, crafts a madcap comedy that navigates midlife through the lens of Stoic philosophy, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City.
A Stoic Philosopher's Disrupted Life
The story centres on Adora Hazzard, a Stoic philosopher and divorcee living contentedly on the Upper West Side. Her days are spent tutoring the twin sons of a wealthy family in philosophy, striving to live by Stoic virtues while avoiding destabilising "externals." However, her serene existence is upended by the classic external: a handsome stranger. As Adora might paraphrase Marcus Aurelius, "Curse these alluring men who throw us off our game!"
Go Gentle defies easy categorisation. Is it a knockabout comedy about the collective power of midlife women? Not quite, though it hints at this early on. An art heist caper? Sort of. A thriller? A bit. A romcom? Perhaps. A cry of female rage? Briefly. Above all, it is a paean to the virtuous joys of Stoic philosophy. Semple seems to have embraced this genre-blending approach, offering readers several books for the price of one.
Making Stoicism Fresh and Exciting
Stoicism, traditionally not known for its sex appeal, is revitalised by Semple's witty prose. Adora's enthusiasm is infectious, as she reflects on conversations: "I was all over the place. Which is what happens when I get started on Stoicism. Fuelled by enthusiasm, I talk faster and faster, bouncing between subjects, repeating myself. It’s like running downhill... All I can do is keep going and pray I’ve got a shred of dignity left when I reach the bottom." Readers might find themselves murmuring Marcus Aurelius quotes, like "The cucumber is bitter. Throw it away," long after finishing the book.
Semple writes with immense charm, filling the novel with hilarious lines. For instance, Adora describes a character with startling specificity: "His face looked weirdly polished, like a Polly Pocket doll that had been licked." The madcap energy sustains much of the narrative, with characters and plotlines weaving in and out in a buoyant, fun manner.
Chaotic Energy and Narrative Hurdles
However, this merry chaos sometimes tips into disjointedness. A clunky section charts the deterioration of Adora's marriage through time-stamped nuggets tied to recent political events, such as "Spring of 2016: I got swept up in Bernie mania" and "September of 2018: #MeToo erupts." While thematically pertinent, these elements lack narrative space to feel fully relevant. Additionally, Adora's ex-husband Hal remains underdeveloped, making it hard to invest in their relationship's arc.
In contrast, Semple's energy shines in other areas, like the fast and harrowing account of Adora's failed career as a comedy writer. This compelling section serves as a narrative centrepiece, reframed through her Stoic lens, and stands out as the novel's strongest element.
A Zany High-Wire Act with a Clever Conclusion
Go Gentle is a zany high-wire act, with a main plot that occasionally feels like a shaggy dog story but is ingeniously wrapped up by the end. While the whole may not cohere perfectly, as Marcus Aurelius noted, everything is perspective, not truth. Readers are left feeling both cleverer and sillier, a delightful outcome. Published on 16 April by W&N, this novel is a must-read for fans of smart, humorous fiction.
