Gravity Is the Thing

A Novel

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Pub Date 23 Jul 2019 | Archive Date 23 Jul 2019

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Description

One of Real Simple’s Best Books of 2019

“I loved this book. . . .Funny, heartbreaking and clever with a mystery at its heart.” —Jojo Moyes

“With an eye as keen for human idiosyncrasies as Miranda July’s, and a sense of humor as bright and surprising as Maria Semple’s, this is a novel of pure velocity.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

?The adult debut from bestselling, award-winning young adult author Jaclyn Moriarty—a frequently hilarious, brilliantly observed novel—that follows a single mother’s heartfelt search for greater truths about the universe, her family and herself.

Twenty years ago, Abigail Sorenson’s brother Robert went missing one day before her sixteenth birthday, never to be seen again. That same year, she began receiving scattered chapters in the mail of a self-help manual, the Guidebook, whose anonymous author promised to make her life soar to heights beyond her wildest dreams.

The Guidebook’s missives have remained a constant in Abi’s life—a befuddling yet oddly comforting voice through her family’s grief over her brother’s disappearance, a move across continents, the devastating dissolution of her marriage, and the new beginning as a single mother and café owner in Sydney.

Now, two decades after receiving those first pages, Abi is invited to an all-expenses paid weekend retreat to learn “the truth” about the Guidebook. It’s an opportunity too intriguing to refuse. If Everything is Connected, then surely the twin mysteries of the Guidebook and a missing brother must be linked?

What follows is completely the opposite of what Abi expected––but it will lead her on a journey of discovery that will change her life––and enchant readers. Gravity Is the Thing is a smart, unusual, wickedly funny novel about the search for happiness that will break your heart into a million pieces and put it back together, bigger and better than before.

One of Real Simple’s Best Books of 2019

“I loved this book. . . .Funny, heartbreaking and clever with a mystery at its heart.” —Jojo Moyes

“With an eye as keen for human idiosyncrasies as Miranda...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780062883735
PRICE $26.99 (USD)
PAGES 416

Average rating from 66 members


Featured Reviews

Oh, how I loved this book! Moriarty's voice is so accessible and authentic that I fell in love with Abi, the main character in GRAVITY IS THE THING. All of the characters are delightful (with the exception of Abi's husband, who I wanted to give a swift kick in the gonads) and the plot line was one of the most original I have experienced in years. GRAVITY IS THE THING has got it all and I can't wait to read Moriarty's next work. I'll be buying lot of copy of this one as gifts.

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This is my first book by this author, and she is obviously a very talented writer. The book has a bit of slow start, but I stuck with it, and was happy I did. A good plot with well-written characters, believable dialog, and a little mystery to boot. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!

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Moving ~ Surprising ~ Engaging

tl; dr: Young mother has a life-changing experience after attending a retreat. (Actually, this isn't the half of it. But, thats why you must read this book.)

Recently, numerous books have used the trope of the retreat as a device. Maureen Goo's second book includes an influencer retreat. Conley's Elsey Came Home is centered around a retreat. Point being, you might pass this book because you have read something similar. Well, let's me tell you--you haven't. This book surprises the reader on many levels. Firstly, the writing is a bit of a wiley creature, moving seamlessly between forms in a compelling manner. The story is also metamorphic, starting as a middle-aged coming-of-age with hints of Bridget Jones only to morph into something else entirely. The story has a fable-quality, in the best sense of the term. The main character's revelations are personal to her situation but really feel universal. The writing is exceptional, and the story is thoughtful. This book is a rare literary acheivement. Find a copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Gravity is the Thing is Jaclyn Moriarty’s debut adult novel and IT. IS. EVERYTHING!!! Jaclyn has been successful with her young adult novels so I was excited to get my hands on her first adult novel and it completely lived up to all of my expectations (and then some)! The storyline is brilliantly original!!! I found myself thinking throughout this novel that I’ve never read anything like this before and my second thought was I never want this book to end. This addictive book has it all- humor, quirk, mystery all mixed up with both anguish and joy! Gravity is the Thing deserves all of the stars and I wish I could give it more than 5 because it’s that flipping fantastic!

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