Addition

Critics

• Addition By Toni Jordan

  “Everything counts.” The opening line of Addition is an appropriate mantra for Grace Vanderburg’s life. Numbers dominate, to the point that the 35-year-old Australian is unable to work. From the time she wakes at precisely 5:55 a.m., Grace’s days are ... (read full critics)

  bookpage published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

4 Reviews

• 1 person find this helpful

  Everyone’s got habits and some have OCDs. Yet - what is normal? Not my “usual” read but I got hooked (and finished the book in two days). Quite thought-provoking. The question arises: Is therapy and/or medication actually advantageous? The blurb states that "Addition, Toni Jordan's first novel, was ... (continue)

  Everyone’s got habits and some have OCDs. Yet - what is normal? Not my “usual” read but I got hooked (and finished the book in two days). Quite thought-provoking. The question arises: Is therapy and/or medication actually advantageous? The blurb states that "Addition, Toni Jordan's first novel, was shortlisted for Best Fiction Book and newcomer of the Year 2008 at the Australian Book Industry Awards, and won a Medical Journalists' Association Book Award." Loved the lines "Every day, thousands of tiny events happen and if you're not watching, if you're not careful, if you don't capture them and make them count, you could miss it. You could miss your whole life." Look forward to reading her next book!

  Is this helpful?

  wgeddert said on Jul 26, 2008 | Add your feedback

• 

  Addition

  The previous journal entry referred to this book as quirky which I think is a good description. It is a strangely disturbing but at the same time humorous read. It is certainly a novel with a very unusual theme.

  Grace Lisa Vandenburg counts due to the fact that she suffers from Obsessive Compu ... (continue)

  The previous journal entry referred to this book as quirky which I think is a good description. It is a strangely disturbing but at the same time humorous read. It is certainly a novel with a very unusual theme.

  Grace Lisa Vandenburg counts due to the fact that she suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is a far from easy condition to live with and not an easy subject to write about in a humorous manner. Somehow Toni Jordan has succeeded and although I found the subject matter disturbing there is humour in this love story.
  Grace counts just about everything in her life from letters in peoples names, steps she takes to get from place to another and the number of bites needed to eat a meal! The letters in her name (19) are identical to those of Seamus Joseph O’Reilly also a (19), the man she meets who befriends her, which helps her in those first tentative steps towards accepting his friendship.
  Their relationship blooms but it takes Grace a long time to come to terms with the fact that although she will always have behavioural problems there are people who love her for herself. There is no doubt that Grace’s OCD has interfered with her life for many years and she has more than once made unsuccessful attempts to overcome it. Seamus is incredibly patient with Grace and eventually it all works out for them thanks to Grace realising that ‘Average does not mean normal’

  I do not think this would make easy reading for anyone who themselves suffers from OCD

  Is this helpful?

  Lindyloumac said on Aug 31, 2009 | Add your feedback

• 

  This was a really interesting look at a mental illness, and it questions whether or not those affected by mental differences are really "ill".

  Is this helpful?

  Camille said on Mar 6, 2009 | Add your feedback

• 

  One of those books that live up to their cover notes. This is a bitingly funny book with a serious undercurrent that is not to be ignored. Full of significant messages for us all if we choose to hear them. For me, that is one of the signs of a good book, provided the messages are presented subtly ... (continue)

  One of those books that live up to their cover notes. This is a bitingly funny book with a serious undercurrent that is not to be ignored. Full of significant messages for us all if we choose to hear them. For me, that is one of the signs of a good book, provided the messages are presented subtly and in an entertaining manner. Toni Jordan certainly does that, giving us a remarkable insight into the mind of a woman with obsessive compulsive disorder, and doing so with a humour that is rare, even in so called comedies by writers far more published than she.

  For a first book this is marvellous. One of the few where I can truly say that I wish it had been longer. I could have read of Grace's exploits forever.

  I hope that Toni Jordan continues to write like this. Can't wait for her next one.

  Is this helpful?

  Martin Papworth said on Sep 9, 2008 | Add your feedback

Book Details

• Rating:
  (9)
  • 5 stars
  • 4 stars
  • 3 stars
  • 2 stars
  • 1 star
• English Books
• Paperback 256 Pages
• ISBN-10: 0340963778
• ISBN-13: 9780340963777
• Pub date: Jan 01, 2008
• Dimensions: 1226 mm x 839 mm x 129 mm Just how big is that?

Prices Change currency & sellers