Go Gentle

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, bestselling author of I’m Glad My Mom DiedHighly 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, author of Lessons in ChemistryI adored this novel and it made me very happy. Go Gentle combines Semple’s giant intellect, genius thinking, rich, witty dialogue and screwall 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, author of Love, NinaThis 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 FriendsManic 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 TroublesWhat a delight this witty screwball caper through philosophy, the art world and late-blooming love is – Madeleine Feeny * Bookseller *I couldn’t have loved this unbelievable treat of a novel more. Funny and clever and sexy and uplifting – Francesca SegalSemple blends intrigue, humour, and irony into a story that splits open one character’s life and might just inspire you to make yours a little bigger too. – Ella Ceron * HARPER’S BAZAAR, Books everyone will be talking about in 2026 *

Maria Semple is the bestselling author of Today Will Be Different, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, and This One Is Mine. Her novels have been translated into forty languages. Before writing fiction, Maria wrote for TV. She lives in New York.