Reviews

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

danihayesrn's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful

4.25

I struggled to get into the story. Initially I didn’t love the main character, but then he is so amazing. A great reflection on grief, and how different people feel and deal with loss. 

cvmartinez's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

ahug14's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

4.25

my_book_trolley's review against another edition

5.0

This was such a lovely story! It was delightful from start to finish with just enough emotion and depth. The character of all age developed beautifully. I would love to see this made into a movie!

I pictured Darcy Michael as Patrick the whole time!

chamu_yenigalla's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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? N/A

4.25

atsocatullus's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.25

mrsboyko's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

smsienk's review against another edition

5.0

The universe is doing strange things for me right now, like my local librarian picking this book about love and loss and all their complications in my monthly book bag. This was funny, tender, irreverent, melancholy, but not too much of any of them. That balance allowed me to read this while grieving a loss myself and experience it as a hug instead of salt in a wound.

My one complaint is that the author slips into a more omniscient 3rd narrator at times when it is convenient instead of working harder to show, not tell, how someone is feeling in the moment. The connection and emotion involved here made up for those jarring moments for me, though.

Some favorite quotes:

"Turns out it's painful to be loved. Intolerable even, at times."


"'Grief orbits the heart. Some days the circle is greater. Those are the good days. You have room to move and dance and breathe. Some days the circle is tighter. Those days are the hard ones.'

Greg stabbed aimlessly at the banana pie. 'They're all hard ones.'

'Right now they are. The easier ones are ahead. They come with time.'

'What do I do until then?'

Patrick smushed what was left of the filling against the back of his teeth and then carefully licked it off. 'Endure.'"

kaileyragus's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-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? No

5.0

sharmin's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.0