Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

4 reviews

lynxpardinus's review

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emotional funny hopeful reflective

4.0


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thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.5

Well, it took me about 5 years to finish this novel due to a very annoying reading slump, but after finally hitting the story’s stride with the second half, I’m happy to report I did enjoy it. It felt like the very depth of a proper embrace—comforting but yet all consuming. It was not necessarily a funny book like I expected, but more of an introspective look at grief and the different ways we cope with it. In Guncle Patrick’s case that often did include comedy, but also fury and sadness and absurdity and care. Patrick’s relationship with his niece and nephew is the star of the story, but his relationship with everyone in his life, past and present, is unveiled through his love of and life with the children. 

This a book about family and dreams, and how you should never give up on either of them.

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vistacanas's review

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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.  

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aharper's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

3.5 / 5 

This was really sweet, mostly feel good * but did have some darker themes (see CW) * 

The ending was a too tidy, predictable, and a bit boring but overall I enjoyed the book.

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