Stoic Philosophy Meets Modern Life in Maria Semple’s Latest Novel
Maria Semple, renowned for her inventive bestseller Where’d You Go, Bernadette, presents a madcap comedy centered on a Stoic philosopher navigating midlife challenges. The novel introduces Adora Hazzard, a divorcee and Stoic philosopher residing on New York City’s Upper West Side. Adora tutors the twin sons of an affluent family in philosophy, striving to embody Stoic virtues while avoiding the distractions of destabilizing "externals." However, her tranquil existence is soon unsettled by the arrival of a handsome stranger, an external force that challenges her composure.
Semple’s narrative defies easy categorization. It flirts with various genres: a comedy about the collective strength of midlife women, an art heist caper, a thriller, a romantic comedy, and a brief expression of female rage. Above all, it is a celebration of Stoic philosophy’s virtues. Semple appears to embrace this genre fluidity, offering readers a multifaceted experience akin to several books in one.
Stoicism Reimagined with Wit and Enthusiasm
While Stoicism is not traditionally associated with excitement, Semple revitalizes it with freshness and charm. Adora’s passion for Stoicism is palpable, as reflected in her own words:
“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.”
This infectious enthusiasm lingers beyond the final page, prompting readers to recall Stoic maxims such as:
“The cucumber is bitter. Throw it away.”
Semple’s writing sparkles with humor and vivid imagery. For instance, Adora’s description of a minor character is strikingly specific:
“His face looked weirdly polished, like a Polly Pocket doll that had been licked.”
The novel’s energetic pace and lively tone sustain engagement through much of the story. Characters appear and depart, plotlines emerge and fade, and readers are invited to follow some of these threads. The overall effect is buoyant and entertaining.
Structural Challenges and Thematic Depth
At times, the novel’s exuberance veers into disjointedness. A particularly awkward section chronicles the decline of Adora’s marriage through dated entries linked to significant political events, including:
“Spring of 2016: I got swept up in Bernie mania”
“September of 2018: #MeToo erupts”
and continuing through moments such as Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, the Trump presidency, the murder of George Floyd, and ensuing riots. While some of these events resonate thematically, none receive sufficient narrative focus to feel fully integrated. Additionally, Adora’s ex-husband Hal remains underdeveloped, limiting emotional investment in their relationship’s beginning and end.
Conversely, Semple excels in her concise and compelling portrayal of Adora’s ill-fated career as a comedy writer. This segment, fast-paced and intense, serves as a central element of the novel. It gains further significance as Adora’s Stoic outlook reframes her perspective on this chapter of her life.
An Ingenious, If Uneven, Narrative
The novel functions as a whimsical high-wire act. Although the main plot occasionally resembles a shaggy dog story, it concludes with an inventive resolution. While the overall cohesion may falter, the Stoic principle that perspective shapes experience rather than absolute truth offers a fitting lens. The reader emerges from the book feeling simultaneously wiser and more lighthearted, a gratifying conclusion.
