Scan barcode
vistacanas's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
"Guncle Rule sweet sixteen: I want you to really live. To live is the rarest of things. Most people merely exist."
The Guncle is an intelligently written, funny, heartwarming and profound story of humans being human in the face of life's challenges. Exactly what I needed after laboring through a heavy classic!
The main challenges were death and grieving, so although very funny, the story was equally sad.
Character development was as good as it gets. I could literally see and hear every character as if I was watching a movie. (And, I'm SURE it will be a movie.)
With very little exception, the dialogue was brilliant...sassy, snarky and sweet just like I love it. There were a few cheesy slips, but it almost felt as if they were intentional.
There are SO many life-changing lessons packed in the pages of this book. But, instead of being preachy, you feel like you're down in the emotional trenches with people you love learning right alongside them.
Were there any shocks or surprises? No. It was definitely formulaic. But, the love of the characters and the pithy dialogue kept me engaged. And, there were enough options for an ending that when I was about 4/5's done, I couldn't put the book down until I turned the last page.
The Guncle is an intelligently written, funny, heartwarming and profound story of humans being human in the face of life's challenges. Exactly what I needed after laboring through a heavy classic!
The main challenges were death and grieving, so although very funny, the story was equally sad.
Character development was as good as it gets. I could literally see and hear every character as if I was watching a movie. (And, I'm SURE it will be a movie.)
With very little exception, the dialogue was brilliant...sassy, snarky and sweet just like I love it. There were a few cheesy slips, but it almost felt as if they were intentional.
There are SO many life-changing lessons packed in the pages of this book. But, instead of being preachy, you feel like you're down in the emotional trenches with people you love learning right alongside them.
Were there any shocks or surprises? No. It was definitely formulaic. But, the love of the characters and the pithy dialogue kept me engaged. And, there were enough options for an ending that when I was about 4/5's done, I couldn't put the book down until I turned the last page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Car accident, Abandonment, Addiction, and Cancer
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book finds a good balance between over the top humor, parenthood, and grief. It was fun reading all the ways Pat tries to connect with the kids and fails, and watching him work through his grief. He does read like a gay type-character from a comedy movie, though, and I wish the kids got a little more characterization. We don't really see them deal with their grief and they feel like they stop being people when not on screen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Homophobia, Medical content, and Car accident
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual content, Racism, and Alcoholism
Death of partner, gay couple not able to be together in hospital, earthquake, toxic family relationshipgabyisafreeelf'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Addiction
Moderate: Alcohol, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Sexual content and Fatphobia
lastsilversunset's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content
bookishaddictions's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
I was really excited for this one, but I felt like it didn’t really sit right with me. I loved the idea of The Guncle, but I was underwhelmed in a few regards. I know, I’m in the minority here according to the Goodsread rating. While I loved Patrick’s relationship with the kids, I felt like we mainly got to know the Patrick he thought he should be rather than who he was hinted at really being. I also found the story to really emphasize stereotypes (of gay men, of poly relationships, and more). While there is nothing wrong with gay men that are stereotypically flamboyant, I didn’t care for the emphasis being placed on the more negatively viewed traits (selfishness, vanity, body image issues, etc.). At least half of the men I know consider themselves queer, and less than 10% of those men would be considered “flamboyant”. I could have got past this if we could see some of the deeper parts of Patrick or JED, but we only basically get to have those depths touched on as minimally as possible. Grant and Maisie’s characters are funny, and were quite reflective of many kids grieving experience; I just wish the whole story had the same authenticity 🤷🏼♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
redheadorganist's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Homophobia
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
katsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
“There are two tragedies in life: one is not getting what you want, the other is getting it.”
“Normal is a terrible thing to aspire to,” Patrick had said. “Aim higher.”
This was a light and charming read. It explored themes of grief extensively with the kids and with the main character, Patrick. I found myself tearing up, especially near the end. The kids were my favorite characters even though they felt a little bit more mature than most kids that age. I know the argument is that they have just experienced the death of their mom but the whole situation feels like it would just confuse the kids more. Their mom dies, their dad instantly leaves to go to rehab so they have to stay with their estranged uncle that lives on the opposite coast? I would have expected the initial transition to be a lot more confusing and difficult for those poor kiddos at the beginning. But if I suspend my belief a little bit, I really enjoyed their characters and especially their relationship with their uncle. I really enjoyed the things Patrick did to help them honor their mom while helping them through their grief while also experiencing his journey to do the same for himself. My only major dislike was the relationship Patrick developed. The love interest felt really young for the main character... not that age gaps are necessarily a bad thing, this one just felt random. I felt like it detracted from the overall story and I didn't buy into the relationship.
“Normal is a terrible thing to aspire to,” Patrick had said. “Aim higher.”
This was a light and charming read. It explored themes of grief extensively with the kids and with the main character, Patrick. I found myself tearing up, especially near the end. The kids were my favorite characters even though they felt a little bit more mature than most kids that age. I know the argument is that they have just experienced the death of their mom but the whole situation feels like it would just confuse the kids more. Their mom dies, their dad instantly leaves to go to rehab so they have to stay with their estranged uncle that lives on the opposite coast? I would have expected the initial transition to be a lot more confusing and difficult for those poor kiddos at the beginning. But if I suspend my belief a little bit, I really enjoyed their characters and especially their relationship with their uncle. I really enjoyed the things Patrick did to help them honor their mom while helping them through their grief while also experiencing his journey to do the same for himself. My only major dislike was the relationship Patrick developed. The love interest felt really young for the main character... not that age gaps are necessarily a bad thing, this one just felt random. I felt like it detracted from the overall story and I didn't buy into the relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
theespressoedition's review against another edition
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
kimveach's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
It took a little while for me to love this book. The first part is funny, sharp, and brittle, kind of like a sitcom. I was worried the whole book would be like that, but it grew into something much more. Such a lovely family story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual assault