Reviews - The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

1.42k reviews for:

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

Matt Cain

4.07 AVERAGE

madds_rosie's review against another edition

4.5

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

logancoxx's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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: No

Such a heartwarming story! It gives off “A man Called Ove” vibes in the sense that it’s about an older gentleman who’s a bit of a recluse & found family.

This + the quest for lost love storyline made it feel like a warm hug.

52sammie's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

bananamilkbun's review against another edition

2.0

This story had so much potential, but the plot was a slog—Albert is so miserable for 80% of the book, that when he finally makes a turn, it seems uncharacteristic and jarring. It's also rich in a lot of queer stereotypes that added nothing to the story. I honestly feel bad for the author, because they're not a bad writer, per se... it's just that their editors did them a tremendous disservice. I feel with some aggressive editing and rewriting, this could've been a good story.

paguilera's review against another edition

4.0

Actual rating: 3.5 stars rounded up.

I listened to the audiobook for this, narrated by Simon Vance, and I thought it was great. I've seen this book described as "feel-good" and "cozy," and while I agree that it is, it starts out pretty sad and has some heavy moments. Some of the topics being dealt with, and the flashbacks, could be difficult to read about, and early on there is a heartbreaking chapter involving Albert's pet cat, so I recommend looking into trigger warnings or just don't go in expecting everything to be happy and light. The story was a bit slow in places, and I was disappointed not to get more time with George, but on the whole I did enjoy my reading experience. This may not be a new favorite for me, but it's heartwarming, and I think it was an important story to hear and see represented. The interviews at the end of the book were really interesting and provided further context to the events in the book. I really enjoyed listening to them, and I'm glad it they were included.

katiemagyera's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

kayaldrich's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful 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

Occasionally heavy-handed, but my god did this book rip me apart and stitch me back together. Seeing Albert transform— how he climbed out of his pit of loneliness and isolation, a place he’d occupied for fifty years, and found a rich network of friends that accept him without conditions. Chapter 33, man. What a book. What a story. What a character, who isn’t likely to leave my heart any time soon.