Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - The Guncle

I thought this was going to be a fluffy book about all the white gay man stereotypes - I was very glad to be proven (mostly) wrong. Patrick Is still a little insufferable.

So many beautiful reflections about the queer experience and genuine reflections of grief in all its forms. My only qualm is that some of the subplots just didn’t feel necessary (<Emory, court drama with Clara>).

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elliot_alxander's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective slow-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

4.5

A really funny book that also deals with hard hitting topics like grief and identity. This book will have you laughing in one chapter and crying in the next. Some of the side characters fell a little flat for me but the story is really about the kids and uncle Patrick. So I didn't mind that much. Will definitely be looking into other books by this author.

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erinoco's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

3.75

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

Title: The Guncle
Author: Steven Rowley
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: May 25, 2021

T H R E E • W O R D S

Wise • Bittersweet • Comical

📖 S Y N O P S I S

In the wake of their mother's death, Maise and Grant was sent to live with their uncle Patrick aka GUP, while their father checks into a rehabilitation facility to deal with his addiction. Patrick has always loved spending time with his niece and nephew, but soon finds himself overwhelmed and not knowing what to expect.

What few people know is that Patrick has been barely hanging on in the years since his own partner's death. What lies ahead are not only some hilarious adventures, but a summer that will have a lasting impact and healing effects each of them.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Everyone needs Guncle rules! Although, Patrick (GUP) comes across extremely pretentious in the beginning, I think that was the whole point, and as the narrative progresses it reveals more as to why he has closed himself off from living. In this way, Rowley paints a portrait of grief, which feels validating all on its own. In the aftermath of my own partner's death, I experienced firsthand the power of children in the healing process, and this aspect of the novel tugged at my heartstrings.

At times heartwarming, at other times absolutely hilarious (the baby dog food story had me laughing out loud), I absolutely loved the themes of celebrating our authentic selves, and living without prejudice. The way GUP approaches allowing the children to make their own choices and not allow society to dictate what they should be was very well done.

Steven Rowley has developed a strong cast of characters. I probably related to Patrick the most from a grief perspective, yet I absolutely adored Maisie. I found myself just wanting to live with them and experience all of their adventures. The thruple next door was also a nice bonus.

My main issue is that there were several insensitivities to addiction, which were hard to over look from a personal standpoint. Otherwise, this was a solid feel-good novel that made me laugh and made me cry, a sign of a worthwhile read. I am definitely looking forward to whatever Steven Rowley publishes next.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• grievers (not early grief)
• bookclubs
• readers who enjoyed Akin by Emma Donoghue

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"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 are the hard ones."

"'I loved him and he died.'"

"'It feels sometimes like Joe, whom I loved very much, is being erased. He's just a smudge now on a chalkboard, smeared in an effort to get rid of him to make way for something new. And I hate that. So there are times I wished it hurt more, because it would mean the details of him would still be sharp. And then there are other days out here in the desert - especially if you go way out, to Joshua Tree or beyond - when you can see the Milky Way. A whole smudge of stars across the sky. And you think, there's still so much in that smudge. So many gleaming, beautiful things that you could never erase them all.'"

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sdupont's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

The Guncle is such a fun sweet read that it full of heart! Someone needs to adapt this book for TV or a movie asap. I just adored this story, I loved Patrick aka GUP’s relationship with Maisie Grant. GUP and the kids had great dialogue. I highly recommend this book, I can’t believe I waited so long to read it!

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seawarrior's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

The Guncle is a story that successfully balances humor with tragedy by exploring our protagonist's unresolved grief as he works to understand himself in order to understand his grieving niece and nephew. Despite these tough themes, the novel is ultimately a lighthearted one, characterized by a sunshine-y, idyllic tone. Patrick is a flawed protagonist, and one desperately out of touch with the world, yet he did endear himself to me as the book went on and we learned more about why he treats life as a stage with himself in the starring role. I appreciated the themes of how trauma warps ourselves until it warps our relationships with our families, and how we have a responsibility to be kind to ourselves so that we may be kinder to the next generation. Rowley was great at writing expanded descriptions of locations and emotions, and in supplying a joke whenever possible. While this story may feel unrelatable to many because of Patrick's wealth, I would still recommend it to other readers looking for more gay narratives.

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carolibrary's review against another edition

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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? Yes

4.5

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amandalorianxo's review against another edition

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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.

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