Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

57 reviews

marpaige's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Terminal illness, Addiction, and Car accident

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

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>). 

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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

katharina90's review against another edition

funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

This was kind of meh. Some bits were funny, others were cringey or just fell flat. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Homophobia, Grief, and Addiction

Minor: Fatphobia and Ableism

maxinesf's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Terminal illness

Moderate: Drug abuse and Homophobia

thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Car accident, Drug use, and Grief

Moderate: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Blood, and Abandonment

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

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 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

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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 against another edition

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