Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

53 reviews

siobhanward'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

4.0

 This was a sweet and lighthearted read. I had a lot of fun with it. The characters were well-developed and interesting, although it almost felt like it ended at the most interesting part of the book. I wish there was more about Patrick's time on the screen, and the kids' return to Connecticut. However, it was still a solid read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Car accident

Moderate: Medical content, Drug abuse, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Addiction

rosyburrow's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Grief

Moderate: Car accident

Minor: Drug abuse and Terminal illness

qgg's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

The characters in this book, especially Patrick and the kids, each shine with their unique light. Patrick may hide his grief, but he never hides his personality as he quotes famous gay icons and actors in musicals in every breezy conversation as if the kids can or should be able to follow what he’s saying. As he helps the kids through their grief, he starts to deal with a past loss of his own. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Car accident, and Grief

Moderate: Homophobia

erinoco's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Terminal illness, Grief, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Medical content, Addiction, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

stacy837's review

funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Death

Moderate: Car accident, Cursing, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Homophobia and Terminal illness

lindsayhotrod's review against another edition

emotional funny 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Grief, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Fatphobia, Addiction, and Alcohol

raysh3ll's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book. It was a fairly light/easy read dispite having some heavy hitting parts also. There was a moment or 2 that got me a bit teary eyed. Overall I thought it had a good balance of heavier hitting topics and comedy.

I consumed this book in audiobook format (which is read by the author). 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

haleybyman's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Addiction, Car accident, and Terminal illness

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

I felt like this book was a little overhyped. I thought it was cute and had some poignant moments which were very sweet. I found the main character to be a bit pretentious and his gayness was over-exaggerated to make the story more flamboyant and colorful. The character seemed more a caricature of what it means to be a gay, white man in Hollywood/Palm Springs and that felt like an uncomfortable juxtaposition against the visceral way grief and loss was described in this novel. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Cancer, Drug use, Grief, Car accident, Infidelity, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content

sdupont's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Death of parent

Moderate: Car accident, Addiction, and Terminal illness

Minor: Sexual assault