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lilbanne's review against another edition
5.0
Update: I re-read the Guncle a few months after my first read. I love this book so much.
I loved the Guncle. I don't know where to start with this book. There aren't enough words of affirmation that I can give for this beautiful book. The Guncle was the first book I read by Steven Rowley, and I am hooked. There is a brilliance behind his writing that is gentle, warm, and inviting but also funny and quirky. I will re-read this book again and again because it has quickly become one of my favourite books.
The Guncle is about Patrick, a gay actor in his 40s living alone in Palm Springs. Patrick's best friend and sister-in-law passes away after a long battle with cancer, and Patrick takes his young niece and nephew in for the summer while his brother, who is deep in grief, also is battling an addiction and needs to seek treatment.
The relationship between Patrick and his niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant, is heartwarming. The two affectionately call Patrick 'GUP' (Gay Uncle Patrick). Patrick's introduction of the 'Guncle Rules' adds a delightful humour to the story, making it a joy to read.
"Guncle Rule five, if a gay man hands you his phone, look only at what he's showing you. If it is a photo, don't swipe. And for god's sake, don't open any unfamiliar apps."
"Guncle Rule number seven: In this house, we wear what we want; it doesn't matter if it's for boys or girls. Anything goes, anything you want, so long as it doesn't have mean words printed on it and it's not making fun of anyone else. We don't worry about what others think. Deal?"
While the story is filled with love, it also delves deep into grief. I love how Rowley manages to handle the death of Sarah, Maisie and Grant's mother, as well as the loss of his partner, Joe, with such beauty and authenticity.
"Guncle Rule number eight: Live your life to the fullest every single day because every day is a gift. That's why people die. To teach us the importance of living."
The Guncle feels like a warm hug wrapping its arms around you when you need it most. Reading this book made me cry and smile and feel true love come through on the pages. I've read the book twice and can't wait to reread it.
I loved the Guncle. I don't know where to start with this book. There aren't enough words of affirmation that I can give for this beautiful book. The Guncle was the first book I read by Steven Rowley, and I am hooked. There is a brilliance behind his writing that is gentle, warm, and inviting but also funny and quirky. I will re-read this book again and again because it has quickly become one of my favourite books.
The Guncle is about Patrick, a gay actor in his 40s living alone in Palm Springs. Patrick's best friend and sister-in-law passes away after a long battle with cancer, and Patrick takes his young niece and nephew in for the summer while his brother, who is deep in grief, also is battling an addiction and needs to seek treatment.
The relationship between Patrick and his niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant, is heartwarming. The two affectionately call Patrick 'GUP' (Gay Uncle Patrick). Patrick's introduction of the 'Guncle Rules' adds a delightful humour to the story, making it a joy to read.
"Guncle Rule five, if a gay man hands you his phone, look only at what he's showing you. If it is a photo, don't swipe. And for god's sake, don't open any unfamiliar apps."
"Guncle Rule number seven: In this house, we wear what we want; it doesn't matter if it's for boys or girls. Anything goes, anything you want, so long as it doesn't have mean words printed on it and it's not making fun of anyone else. We don't worry about what others think. Deal?"
While the story is filled with love, it also delves deep into grief. I love how Rowley manages to handle the death of Sarah, Maisie and Grant's mother, as well as the loss of his partner, Joe, with such beauty and authenticity.
"Guncle Rule number eight: Live your life to the fullest every single day because every day is a gift. That's why people die. To teach us the importance of living."
The Guncle feels like a warm hug wrapping its arms around you when you need it most. Reading this book made me cry and smile and feel true love come through on the pages. I've read the book twice and can't wait to reread it.
lzasada's review against another edition
5.0
Very entertaining. GUP Gay uncle Patrick reminds me of Jack on Will and Grace. Had me laughing and crying. Looking forward to next book, Guncle abroad.
lak98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thomaspopescu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sarahelizab's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
molliesweeney's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A cozy, heartwarming audiobook.
earth_to_mars's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Guncle was interesting to me. I'm still reeling from one of the worst books I've read this year (maybe ever), so maybe I'm biased, but whatever. I had fun!
The Guncle is about Patrick O'Hara, a washed up celebrity sit-com actor who has to take care of his six-year-old nephew (Grant) and nine-year-old niece (Maisie) after the death of their mother and his best friend, Sara. Why? Because their father (his brother), Greg, self admitted to rehab for the summer.
When I started reading this I got heavy BoJack Horseman vibes, specifically the first season. The themes and overall mood is trying to strike a balance between funny and sad, grief and humor. And that's not a bad thing. There were parts where I cringed, parts where I laughed, parts where I teared up. It was enjoyable.
The characters are endearing, the kid's aren't annoying (just regular kid annoying, but in a way that doesn't impede on the reading) and Patrick's realization that he is isolating himself because he refuses to grieve his past lover, Joe, is a really strong character arc. The Guncle's version of The Telescope (the episode of BoJack Horseman that was a turning point from typical adult comedy to something more serious) comes in Chapter Twenty, whenPatrick rereads a letter to Joe he wrote in therapy after his death .
This was the emotional shift that really solidified the four star rating for me. I also enjoyed the scenes with Patrick and his sister Clara. It's messy, it's hard. But it's realistic. Where both have issues with one another, valid criticisms and complaints between the two (other complaints not so much or not their fault), but at the end of their fight, they still manage to come together. I also love the flashbacks with Sara. We get to know her without her being there, she's more than just a mother, a wife, a friend. The person she was lives with Patrick, with Greg, with the kids. And it's heartwarming.
I loved watching Patrick's walls come down with the kids, it's humbling and honestly, nice to watch unfold.
Overall, it's lighthearted, yet heartfelt. It's a story of a broken family, all of them grieving their relationships in different ways, where they come together and slowly start their path of healing together, that's definitely worth the read.
The Guncle is about Patrick O'Hara, a washed up celebrity sit-com actor who has to take care of his six-year-old nephew (Grant) and nine-year-old niece (Maisie) after the death of their mother and his best friend, Sara. Why? Because their father (his brother), Greg, self admitted to rehab for the summer.
When I started reading this I got heavy BoJack Horseman vibes, specifically the first season. The themes and overall mood is trying to strike a balance between funny and sad, grief and humor. And that's not a bad thing. There were parts where I cringed, parts where I laughed, parts where I teared up. It was enjoyable.
The characters are endearing, the kid's aren't annoying (just regular kid annoying, but in a way that doesn't impede on the reading) and Patrick's realization that he is isolating himself because he refuses to grieve his past lover, Joe, is a really strong character arc. The Guncle's version of The Telescope (the episode of BoJack Horseman that was a turning point from typical adult comedy to something more serious) comes in Chapter Twenty, when
This was the emotional shift that really solidified the four star rating for me. I also enjoyed the scenes with Patrick and his sister Clara. It's messy, it's hard. But it's realistic. Where both have issues with one another, valid criticisms and complaints between the two (other complaints not so much or not their fault), but at the end of their fight, they still manage to come together. I also love the flashbacks with Sara. We get to know her without her being there, she's more than just a mother, a wife, a friend. The person she was lives with Patrick, with Greg, with the kids. And it's heartwarming.
I loved watching Patrick's walls come down with the kids, it's humbling and honestly, nice to watch unfold.
Overall, it's lighthearted, yet heartfelt. It's a story of a broken family, all of them grieving their relationships in different ways, where they come together and slowly start their path of healing together, that's definitely worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
r3b3ccah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
kirsto515's review against another edition
4.25
Much deeper and sweeter than I expected. Very touching story about how love can repair and move beyond grieving.