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kbojan's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, and Drug abuse
znvisser's review
emotional
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
2.5
I was expecting some sort of character study with emotional highs and lows and compared to that this was a bit… smoothed out? Somewhat ironically, the plot has a typical Hollywood film structure with out-of-nowhere twists and an unnecessary enemy, except each problem blew over quickly without actually being completely resolved? The historical family dynamics were underexplored while they could have added some depth. There were some profound moments with the children which I enjoyed but it seemed mostly written just to be tied up in a nice bow. This wasn’t my cup of tea but probably a satisfying feel-good story for those who do enjoy such pacing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Medical content, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, and Car accident
emmehooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
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>).
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>).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Addiction, Death of parent, Cancer, and Car accident
Moderate: Drug abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Eating disorder
menomica's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
I love you, he said silently in his head, to himself, to the kids, to Joe, to Sara, to no one. To everyone.
I really loved how the theme of this book was about family and support. I loved watching Patrick grow throughout the book. I also really loved how honest this book was with grief. Watching Patrick essentially get PTSD flashbacks from Sara’s death to Joe’s felt so… real? I don’t know, but it was done very well.
The kids were adorable (especially Grant).
That whole subplot with Clara pissed me clean the fuck off, but I’m glad it was resolved quickly and with little fuss.
I really enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment, Car accident, and Homophobia
atoft's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The Guncle is not a bad book, but for me it rarely managed to produce any sort of spark and ended up just being fine.
Generally, the book takes a lighter tone which was a nice break from the heavier queer fiction I've read recently. Unfortunately, it feels like it's trying really hard to be funny, and only occasionally manages. The titular gay uncle, Patrick, is charged with looking after his young niece and nephew for the summer, with supposedly hilarious results. He spends most of the book talking to them in a way that no real person would talk to children, filled with quippy asides and obscure references. He's saying things not because they make any sense in context but because they are funny for the reader, or at least they're meant to be. That most of the cultural references are completely lost on me probably doesn't help.
The book does have some more dramatic and emotional threads to it, in the loss of the kids' mother and Patrick's friend, Sara, and in Patrick dealing with grief from the death of his boyfriend Joe four years earlier. The latter is the most effective, especially a scene in whichPatrick reads an old letter he wrote after Joe's death . We see a more authentic version of Patrick and his grief is very real. That said, we don't get much of a sense of who Joe was as a person beyond his role as a prop for this story. Patrick's struggles with the loss of Joe tie into his attempts to help the kids process their own grief. Since we see the kids entirely from the outside, rather than understanding what they're feeling, these scenes end up being more about Patrick's awkwardness than anything deeper. At the same time, their father's struggle with addiction in the wake of his wife's illness seems to be mainly a contrivance to get the children to stay with their uncle, rather than an issue the book actually has interest in exploring.
The majority of the book has us tagging along with the trio throughout their summer, exploring Patrick's extravagant home (the reward for a successful TV career from which he's now hiding) and trying out various fun activities in the pretty but constraining setting of Palm Springs. Along the way he invents ridiculous "Guncle Rules" in an attempt to teach the kids important lessons, such as the value of brunch. There are a couple of other subplots, mainly around Patrick regaining the confidence to continue his acting career, and his growing flirtation with an up-and-coming young TV star. A brief moment of tension is brought about whenan earthquake strikes Palm Springs , but as with most of the other story threads the book doesn't seem to have much interesting to do with it. A clash with Patrick's sister Clara (not to be confused with Sara) over whether or not he's an appropriate carer for the children is another example of a story beat that the author seemingly doesn't know what to do with. She threatens to take him to court, but he easily talks her down and she seems to essentially give up. Patrick seems to chalk this up to her discovering her husband has been cheating on her, and this along with her comically exaggerated hatred of the patriarchy makes the character feel like a bit of an unfortunate caricature.
Reading The Guncle is not an unpleasant experience; it means spending some time in a sunny and relaxing place where nothing of much importance happens. But it's a story that too often favours fun over sincerity, and whose characters often feel as hollow as one of Patrick's colourful pool floats.
Generally, the book takes a lighter tone which was a nice break from the heavier queer fiction I've read recently. Unfortunately, it feels like it's trying really hard to be funny, and only occasionally manages. The titular gay uncle, Patrick, is charged with looking after his young niece and nephew for the summer, with supposedly hilarious results. He spends most of the book talking to them in a way that no real person would talk to children, filled with quippy asides and obscure references. He's saying things not because they make any sense in context but because they are funny for the reader, or at least they're meant to be. That most of the cultural references are completely lost on me probably doesn't help.
The book does have some more dramatic and emotional threads to it, in the loss of the kids' mother and Patrick's friend, Sara, and in Patrick dealing with grief from the death of his boyfriend Joe four years earlier. The latter is the most effective, especially a scene in which
The majority of the book has us tagging along with the trio throughout their summer, exploring Patrick's extravagant home (the reward for a successful TV career from which he's now hiding) and trying out various fun activities in the pretty but constraining setting of Palm Springs. Along the way he invents ridiculous "Guncle Rules" in an attempt to teach the kids important lessons, such as the value of brunch. There are a couple of other subplots, mainly around Patrick regaining the confidence to continue his acting career, and his growing flirtation with an up-and-coming young TV star. A brief moment of tension is brought about when
Reading The Guncle is not an unpleasant experience; it means spending some time in a sunny and relaxing place where nothing of much importance happens. But it's a story that too often favours fun over sincerity, and whose characters often feel as hollow as one of Patrick's colourful pool floats.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
spark_879's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
this book had me laughing in some places and crying in others. i would recommend.
grant is absolutely adorable.
grant is absolutely adorable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Vomit
erinoco's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Terminal illness, Grief, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content, Addiction, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
kelly_e's review against another edition
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.'"
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.'"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Grief, Death, and Addiction
Moderate: Car accident, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, and Cancer
death of partnerexcritos'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
katielaine_w's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, and Sexual harassment