 Classified as "post-multicultural fiction," "The Pure Weight of the Heart" attracted a strong critical reception.In his review of the book, Australian author Matthew Condon wrote, "From the outset, "The Pure Weight of the Heart" establishes its own rich, often infuriating, often ungraspable, often highly satisfying tone.It is a tone that often eludes a first-time novelist ... [Gambotto's] picture of the London literary scene is without rival ... a novel of considerable gusto and daring."