Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Read this in one evening; a sweet, easy binge read. It’s not great literature, it’s actually pretty trite, but it has loveable characters, a perfect bookshop on an island setting, a little mystery, a little love story and a bit of heartbreak at the end. If you’re a book lover, then you’ll enjoy this.

Content Warnings

bookfilledcottage's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So well-written, so dang sad.

I knew Gabrielle Zevin was famous for creating heart-breaking stories, but I hadn’t cried over a book for a while… not anymore. Thanks for that!

I loved the cozy space that Island Books has become in my mind, despite the tragedy around it.

I loved the characters and how real and raw and hilarious they were.

I also really loved both the idea for the plot itself as well as the themes explored though I may not agree with them.

Essentially, a book for book lovers who are suckers for a little cry and a little inspiration.

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thetomatowriter's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

4.25

I think the book moved a little fast for me at points given the way it was more of a character study, but the characters were so lovable and I grew really attached to Island Books.

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taliac's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A

3.5

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, and although it followed a lot of stereotypes of this kind of story it was well written and made for a pleasant and page turning read.

I don't think it is anywhere near as special or as 'strong' as the authors more recent work but still with a read of you are looking for a nice easy story.

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bethanybaratelli's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-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

5.0

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makaylagrace0's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.5

A solid quick read, took me 3 days. The book is just like the title suggests, it’s the story of a man named A.J. Fikry’s life. I gave it 3.5 because it’s wasn’t bad, but not really something I would recommend to a friend.

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agirlnamedellie's review against another edition

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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

5.0

Absolutely loved it. Very quick and easy read but so emotional and funny. Loved the characters and they stuck with me. The story could have been real life and it felt like you were reading about real people's problems and how they dealt with them. So many things happened in such a small book! Will be thinking about this book for a very long time.

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