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readerette's review
emotional
funny
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
4.5
What a warm and sweet story, without being saccharine. Patrick and the kids, and what grief can look like, really come alive.
It's too long, I don't know what the point of Emory's presence is, and not much plot really happens (it's very slice-of-life), but I easily forgive all that since it's such an immersive delight.
It's too long, I don't know what the point of Emory's presence is, and not much plot really happens (it's very slice-of-life), but I easily forgive all that since it's such an immersive delight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Car accident, Cancer, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? No
5.0
Laughed.Cried.Reflected.Hopeful.Genuinely funny. I felt a tidal wave of emotions reading this book and it was one of the best ones to read during Spring Break. Patrick taught me a lot within these pages and it truly goes to show that when someone is amazing at their craft, the characters speak for themselves. I feel like mostly everyone has read this already but it goes beyond family member watching their niece and nephew for over three months. We learn about communicating, being vulnerable, sexuality/identities, family dynamics… and a lot more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Grief and Cursing
Minor: Car accident, Sexual assault, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
revengesrose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Death, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
abominablesnowaro's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Terminal illness
theespressoedition's review
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
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.
When I tell you that I did not expect this book, I mean... I really did not expect THIS book. That seems like a weird phrase, but what I'm trying to convey is that this book looks cute, cheesy even, but it contained so much emotional depth and it has seriously stuck with me and I think it will continue to.
I went into reading The Guncle, expecting a relatively lighthearted story about a gay uncle who takes care of his nephew and niece. Yes, it is that, but it is also so much more. It explores grief in a way that I've never really seen portrayed in a book. There were so many different versions of grief. Patrick mourning the loss of his best friend and his brother's wife. The kids mourning the loss of their mother and, in an odd way, their dad (because he had to go to rehab).
It's also Patrick's reflection and revelations about losing his partner. I've separated this because it felt entirely separate from the story, yet it also somehow so integral to Patrick's growth as a person and caretaker. The way that he didn't even know which title to give Joe when describing their relationship to the kids was such a meaningful moment. There was so much to unpack with this particular part of the plot that really stood out to me.
The dynamic between Patrick and the kids was really special. There were hijinks, weird days, great experiences, and moments of serious anger and fear. Watching how they all grew as a unit and as individuals was incredible. The author really highlighted how navigating relationships can be tricky, no matter what the relation actually is (father and children, guncle and kids, romantic partners, etc.).
Honestly, I think I could read this book over and over again and still find something new to take away from it each time. Major applause to Steven Rowley for creating such an absolute masterpiece. This book immediately went on my wishlist and I can't wait to add it to my shelves so I can continue to sob over how perfect it is in the future.
Side note about sobbing: This book is a tearjerker. But it'll sneak up on you. I've never ever had this happen. I was reading and literally had the thought, "why is my face wet?" I realized I had been crying and didn't even know! YES, IT IS THAT GOOD.
When I tell you that I did not expect this book, I mean... I really did not expect THIS book. That seems like a weird phrase, but what I'm trying to convey is that this book looks cute, cheesy even, but it contained so much emotional depth and it has seriously stuck with me and I think it will continue to.
I went into reading The Guncle, expecting a relatively lighthearted story about a gay uncle who takes care of his nephew and niece. Yes, it is that, but it is also so much more. It explores grief in a way that I've never really seen portrayed in a book. There were so many different versions of grief. Patrick mourning the loss of his best friend and his brother's wife. The kids mourning the loss of their mother and, in an odd way, their dad (because he had to go to rehab).
It's also Patrick's reflection and revelations about losing his partner. I've separated this because it felt entirely separate from the story, yet it also somehow so integral to Patrick's growth as a person and caretaker. The way that he didn't even know which title to give Joe when describing their relationship to the kids was such a meaningful moment. There was so much to unpack with this particular part of the plot that really stood out to me.
The dynamic between Patrick and the kids was really special. There were hijinks, weird days, great experiences, and moments of serious anger and fear. Watching how they all grew as a unit and as individuals was incredible. The author really highlighted how navigating relationships can be tricky, no matter what the relation actually is (father and children, guncle and kids, romantic partners, etc.).
Honestly, I think I could read this book over and over again and still find something new to take away from it each time. Major applause to Steven Rowley for creating such an absolute masterpiece. This book immediately went on my wishlist and I can't wait to add it to my shelves so I can continue to sob over how perfect it is in the future.
Side note about sobbing: This book is a tearjerker. But it'll sneak up on you. I've never ever had this happen. I was reading and literally had the thought, "why is my face wet?" I realized I had been crying and didn't even know! YES, IT IS THAT GOOD.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Infidelity
editoryalizing's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Car accident, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
atamano's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishandlegal's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
This book was a tad overhyped for me. I generally really enjoyed it but I didn’t find it as amazing as everyone has been saying it is. Some of it was pretty cheesy, but I was okay with that…it was fun. There were a lot of references and quotes to old movies/musicals and I only got about half of them.
The kids were adorable and I just loved them. I really liked seeing both the kids and Patrick deal with their own grief and start to try to move forward with life. I really loved that Patrick was dealing with his own grief and that the kids were helping with that…it was really lovely. There were also a lot of good breaking of gender stereotypes and lessons of being your own person, dressing how you want, and doing what you want regardless of what society thinks that I was really into.
Overall, this was a really fun book! Sometimes it felt a little long or the pacing felt a bit off. But I did very much enjoy reading this and it’s the perfect summertime pool or beach read!
The kids were adorable and I just loved them. I really liked seeing both the kids and Patrick deal with their own grief and start to try to move forward with life. I really loved that Patrick was dealing with his own grief and that the kids were helping with that…it was really lovely. There were also a lot of good breaking of gender stereotypes and lessons of being your own person, dressing how you want, and doing what you want regardless of what society thinks that I was really into.
Overall, this was a really fun book! Sometimes it felt a little long or the pacing felt a bit off. But I did very much enjoy reading this and it’s the perfect summertime pool or beach read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, and Cursing
Minor: Infidelity
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Addiction, Drug use, and Terminal illness
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