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Grace Lisa Vandenburg counts.
The letters in her name (19). The steps she takes every morning to the local café (920); the number of poppy seeds on her slice of orange cake, which dictates the number of bites she'll take to finish it. Grace counts everything, because numbers hold the world together. And she needs to keep an eye on how they're doing.
Seamus Joseph O'Reilly (also a 19, with the sexiest hands Grace has ever seen) thinks she might be better off without the counting. If she could hold down a job, say. Or open her kitchen cupboards without conducting an inventory, or make a sandwich containing an unknown number of sprouts.
Grace's problem is that Seamus doesn't count. Her other problem is...he does.
Addition is a fabulous debut novel. Grace is witty, flirtatious and headstrong. She's not a bit sentimental but even so, she may be about to lose track of the number of ways she can fall in love.
* Longlisted, 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award
* Shortlisted, 2009 Barbara Jefferis Award
* A Women's Weekly Great Read
* Best Debut Fiction, The 2008 Indie Awards
* Shortlisted, Best General Fiction Book, 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards
* Shortlisted, Best Newcomer, 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards
* Best Themed Fiction, UK Medical Journalists Association 2008
Reviewed By The Publisher
'A stylish, witty and moving love story.'
— Sigrid Thornton
‘A gemlike debut—think The Curious Incident of the
Dog in the Night-Time thrown into the world of chick-lit…This romantic
comedy weighs the value of a normal life against the hidden potential
in a life of dysfunction. At the book’s close, it’s up to Seamus to
accept Grace for who she is…A smartly written comedy that cheekily
suggests recovery may not be for everyone.’ [starred review]
— Kirkus Reviews
'This tremendously enjoyable novel is a romantic
comedy with a light touch and a quirky and unforgettable central
character.'
— Adelaide Advertiser
'Toni Jordan has created such a real character in
Grace that you are cheering her on, willing her to get to the top of
the staircase, intact and unharmed. Jordan's voice is distinctive,
refreshing and…her debut novel is juicy and funny…this is a gem.'
— Sydney Morning Herald
'This is a delightful first novel, serious and
sometimes sad, but full of charm and humour …Toni Jordan is a novelist
to look out for.'
— The Press
'An excellent debut novel…A light and lovely story
that champions being different in a world where being different is
treated with suspicion…Grace is as nutty as a fruitcake but funny, and
runs an internal commentary on life that is sassy and astute. … With
Addition, Toni Jordan strikes a fabulous blow for resolute
individuality and without spoiling the ending, redemptive love dies
play a supporting role.'
— Sunday Telegraph
'Jordan's book is snappy, sassy, superior…It's a
nice twist to the tired chick-lit formula of
girl-meets-boy-and-mutual-transformation-ensues, and a deftly handled
debut novel.'
— Canberra Times
