Go Gentle by Maria Semple

     First of all,  I feel like I need to share how impressed I am with NetGalley's books and authors.  I have discovered so many new and new to me authors that I would never have found on my own. My newest treasure  is a book by Maria Semple, Go  Gentle . 

    There were so many times while reading Go Gentle, that I considered stopping right where I was in the book to write a raving review, because I was enjoying the novel so much that I just didn't think it could get any better than it was right then, but then it did, it surprised me again and got even better.  As an avid reader, (obviously, since I am always reviewing advance reader's copies for NetGalley) very few plots and stories surprise me.  I may be enthralled with characters, an author's voice in their writing, or various elements of the story.  Yet once I have gotten into the meat of the story, I can generally figure out where the story is going and how it is going to get there.  Not so with Semple's book, Go Gentle.  She surprised me over and over again.  I would love to share how, but I absolutely abhor spoilers, especially on a book this good.  Suffice it to say, The main character, Adora is a unique individual who embraces peace and happiness through her study of the great philosophers.  I know, from this line the book sounds like a snoozer.  But trust me, it's not! Adora, along with a motley crew of acquaintances and family take the reader through a romp of emotions and plot twists and turns that don't disappoint.  At times, I was so outraged on Adora's behalf that I wanted to scream with fury at the foulness of her treatment.  Other times, I romped along with her and the adventure that was unfolding in front of her. 

I can't even share my favorite quote of the book, as it has not been published yet, but I can say that although I took a philosophy class in college, I have never learned more about stoicism or the masters until I read Semple's book.  And this time I enjoyed the process.

Hopefully reader, I have intrigued you to search out Go Gentle by Maria Semple when it hits the shelves April 21, 2026, published by Penguin Random House.  This is another NetGalley book that I received as an advanced reader's copy in return for an honest review.  I give it 5 stars but honestly wish I could give it more.  Just because it kept me on my toes and guessing the outcome until the final end.