Reviews

Gravity Is the Thing by Jaclyn Moriarty

suvata's review against another edition

5.0

ModernMrsDarcy.com Summer 2019 Reading List

This is my favorite book of the 30 listed on the #MMD Summer Reading List. It gets 5-stars from me because it was so very unique. The writing style was brilliant and the subject matter was totally relatable to me. I still have 10 books to read from the list but I doubt any will top this one.

roseleaf24's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. Romance is present and realistic and closed-door, and enough of the story that it will be classified as chick-lit, but there is so much more here. Abigail's brother disappeared in 1990, right before her 16th birthday. In twenty years, nothing has been found at all. On that same day, Abi received in the mail a chapter from The Guidebook, and she has received chapters periodically ever since. Now she is travelling for a weekend retreat that promises to give the Truth about The Guidebook...and maybe life. As she works through her failed marriage and raises her five-year-old son, Oscar, she seeks answers in ways that made me laugh and cry. The characters are so engaging, and I didn't know where this book was going or how it was going to turn out, but in a way that was contained enough to make me feel like all the twists were perfect and right, even though I hadn't seen them coming.

kristinj1's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It's so funny, I took so long to actually check this book out! I think the cover of it made me think it was nonfiction, or I was associating it with a different book. Anyway, from the first page I noticed a difference in the writing style of this author, or maybe a difference in how they told this story? Anyway, the main character had a really interesting way of being self-reflective and that was included in the story. 

I can't believe I just read a book about humans being taught how to fly! This book started and ended in ways that I never would have predicted, they don't necessarily seem to go together. Because of that, when I look back at it, it feels like this was a really sweeping, epic tale. We started with her traveling to an island for a mysterious weekend retreat. We ended with her finding the truth out about her brother and finding connection with someone unexpected. And yet, every step along the way was full of understandable moments and reactions. I'm really glad I read this book, and I am once again having that experience where I want to tell Nick to read it, but I don't think he will like all of it. I just want him to read the parts that I felt reflected our relationship. I think that happens a lot, where I want him to read parts of books. But of course, I don't think he would have the same impactful understanding of it without reading the rest of the story.

romanici's review against another edition

5.0

Quirky. Once I got through the first 50 pages, I really got into the story. Enjoyed this one very much.

zoe_faith's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

rainbowfishhh's review against another edition

5.0

This book was a beautifully human exploration of loss and life. I found Abigail so endearing with her trains of thought so scattered, frantic, and realistic. I also loved the intensely real parenthood moments that really encapsulated one’s unflattering inner thoughts when dealing with an irrational toddler. I really loved this!

nicjohnston's review against another edition

4.0

What an incredible journey Gravity Is The Thing is. The central plot and conceit is clever but bizarre, which is recognised by the main characters (who have the same curiosity and sceptical approach as the reader). The characters are hugely likeable and there are some engrossing sub-plots along the way. This wasn’t at all what I expected and I really enjoyed it, albeit the last 1/4 was a little evangelical for my taste.

Thanks to #netgalley and Atlantic Books for an ARC in consideration of an honest review

cathyatratedreads's review against another edition

4.0

Gravity Is the Thing is a poignant book that is at times just as off-the-wall and whimsical as the creators of the Guidebook and the class that Abi attends. It tackles difficult subjects but with heart and lightness. It’s never cloying and doesn’t necessarily wrap things up the way readers may expect, but the end is beautiful and satisfying just the same. Jaclyn Moriarty has a deft touch, and I enjoyed getting to read this novel. While the topic is different and mostly a different genre from the young adult book of hers that I read some years back, A Corner of White, the style is still distinctly hers and the writing well done.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/gravity-is-the-thing-womens-fiction-book-review/

xlindsreadsx's review against another edition

4.0

This book was really well written and had me laughing out loud. This was my first book by this author but would not hesitate to pick up her other works. This book also reminded me of me in.certain aspects . Would defo want a finished copy x

ris_stitches's review against another edition

3.0

Meh. The whimsy is enjoyable, but overall I found that this skipped around too much, and the weaving of the stories wasn’t always effective. The story itself is interesting as is the concept of the guidebook and the flying lessons but, this just didn’t hit the spot.