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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Definitely one of the best books I've read this year! I absolutely loved the story, the characters, everything!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
Started out strong and delightful, but began dragging around the 1/3 mark. I'm glad I finished, because it's an uplifting and heartfelt story, but it took some work.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I loved this!! The plot is absurd and full of laugh out loud moments, but the characters are so lovingly realized that I couldn't help rooting for them. out of desperation, Danny takes a job as a dancing panda, and learns to connect with his traumatized son. It is a story about coping with grief but it is never maudlin or manipulative. I would happily read a sequel.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Danny is having a really rough go of it. His wife died in a car accident one year ago, and his 11 year old son, Will, hasn't spoken to anyone since. Work isn't going well, and Danny's landlord is raising the rent while threatening to break some limbs if it isn't paid soon. Danny is desperate to make some quick money and decides the best option is to become a street performing panda bear, as one does. While dancing in the park he crosses paths with an unknowing Will who not only speaks to this performing panda bear but opens up about how he is feeling about his dad and the death of his mom. Danny must decide how to handle this secret exchange of feelings, how to avoid eviction and bodily harm, and how to be the dad his kid needs.
Oh this was a quirky one!! I really loved this book. The backbone of the story is tragic and the characters are so broken, but Gould-Bourn manages to keep a level of lightness throughout the book. Danny and Will are perfectly portrayed as people going through life altering pain but still living. They have grief but also friends and laughs and other concerns and new experiences. They felt relatable and, even more important, I really liked them. I was rooting for Danny and Will to find a way to bridge the widening emotional gap between them. I wanted Danny to succeed in his wild business plan. I hoped for Will to find his voice and confidence again. I wanted all of the good things for these two. Gould-Bourn does an excellent job of making us love The Malooley fellas as well as their crew of misfits. Ivan and Krystal were two extremely funny characters who brought an awesome pop to this story.
Definitely recommend this one! It gave me Eleanor Olipant, A Man Called Ove, and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett vibes.
Oh this was a quirky one!! I really loved this book. The backbone of the story is tragic and the characters are so broken, but Gould-Bourn manages to keep a level of lightness throughout the book. Danny and Will are perfectly portrayed as people going through life altering pain but still living. They have grief but also friends and laughs and other concerns and new experiences. They felt relatable and, even more important, I really liked them. I was rooting for Danny and Will to find a way to bridge the widening emotional gap between them. I wanted Danny to succeed in his wild business plan. I hoped for Will to find his voice and confidence again. I wanted all of the good things for these two. Gould-Bourn does an excellent job of making us love The Malooley fellas as well as their crew of misfits. Ivan and Krystal were two extremely funny characters who brought an awesome pop to this story.
Definitely recommend this one! It gave me Eleanor Olipant, A Man Called Ove, and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett vibes.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to audio version and enjoyed the accents the reader employed. Funny and sad, I loved coming along for the ride as the grieving father strengthened his connections with others, especially his son.
funny
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
Very light and fluffy. Tried too hard to be funny at parts, but did genuinely entertain me for the most part. I probably wouldn't read it again, but I'm not sad I read it in the first place! I enjoyed all the dancing talk too, as I LOVE to dance.