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lachimolala981's review against another edition
3.0
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.
jscole12's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
beckimoody29's review against another edition
5.0
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.
zoey_holmquistkuhn's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.75
janeyre9's review against another edition
4.0
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.
cassidyl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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.
themaggiemch's review against another edition
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
3.0
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.
brandy1512's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is the kind of book you want to hug at the end. Comprised of a motley crew of characters that become family, this book made me sad and it made me laugh. 5 stars!!!
lfinkenkeller's review against another edition
5.0
Danny's life is in shambles after his wife lost her life in a car accident. His son, Will, has not spoken a word since the accident. Danny hasn't paid his rent in over two months. His landlord is threatening to break his kneecaps if doesn't pay. To top it all off, Danny loses his job.
After watching street performers in the park and seeing that they made decent money, he decides to become a street performer dressed as a panda.
One day, Danny ses three boys picking on Will while he is in the park performing. Danny dressed as the panda breaks it up, and Will says, "Thanks." This is the first word Will has spoken in over a year. Will starts talking to the panda. Danny is afraid that if he tells Will he is the panda, Will will stop talking again. Danny doesn't know what to do.
While the book deal with grief and loss, it very funny and moving.
I loved this book, and I can easily see it turned into a movie.
After watching street performers in the park and seeing that they made decent money, he decides to become a street performer dressed as a panda.
One day, Danny ses three boys picking on Will while he is in the park performing. Danny dressed as the panda breaks it up, and Will says, "Thanks." This is the first word Will has spoken in over a year. Will starts talking to the panda. Danny is afraid that if he tells Will he is the panda, Will will stop talking again. Danny doesn't know what to do.
While the book deal with grief and loss, it very funny and moving.
I loved this book, and I can easily see it turned into a movie.