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leanneymu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
A gentle, sweet book, that went to some surprisingly dark places, but was ultimately very uplifting. Just what I needed after reading a few hard-hittin recently.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Xenophobia, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, Suicide, and Racism
lhodgson26's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
<spoiler > I adore Mike Gayles books and this one may be my favourite one yet. Like his others the characters are so real and they make their way into your heart. The book helps to make you believe in humanity again and that there are genuinely good people like Hubert and Asheligh out there. Some really important themes of loneliness, drug abuse, racism , alzhimers and grief were all showcased throughout this book. Told between the present day and the past we learn of Huberts life from how he left Jamaica and came to England to start a family and all of the heartbreak he experienced. The plot twist towards the end that Rose wasn't really alive and he'd been talking to a ghost for the last five years was heartbreaking. But I loved the sense of community andall his friends he then made as he tried to rebuild his life from his oldest friend Gus to his new friendship with Joyce. Just when you think he finally got his happy ever after it was then only eighteen months later when he died but no doubt reunited with his beloved wife and his daughter.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Racial slurs, Racism, Drug abuse, and Child death
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.0
this was very very similar to a man called ove, but with a twist. unsurprisingly, i loved it. it was a total cheese fest but if you’re okay with that, it’s really enjoyable and wholesome. there are also some darker themes which gives the book more substance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Car accident, Chronic illness, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Mental illness, Racism, Terminal illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
akshade's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Terminal illness, Classism, Drug use, Death, Racism, and Addiction
Minor: Car accident
sophcart_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Alcoholism
Minor: Racism
mariannevoyager's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Drug abuse
morna's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I am so happy. I am so happy I'm finally done with this book.
I read it because it came recommended by someone who liked a lot of the same books I did. And after DNF-ing several other books this year, I tried my best to stick with it.
First, I ignored the poor writing.
Second, I ignored the complete and utter lack of any substance. I thought - well, let's just try to enjoy it as a light read.
By the time I realized I should have quit a long time ago I was so far in I wanted to see how the whole thing ended.
The writing is... it's not even mediocre, it's poor. The author clearly got inspired by A Man Called Ove (and possibly by Eleanor Oliphant) but forgot to actually make sense. What we end up with is just a string of short episodes with no logic between one another. Things happen, without ever being resolved. Things happen, without any relevance for the plot. Tons of unnecessary details. Pages of Hubert deciding whether or not he'll go out to get cat food (and you'd expect something amazing happens when he eventually does/doesn't, but no). An elaborate description of Jan ordering hot chocolate. Characters that disappear, but don't add any value to the story.
The characters lack any credibility. I would say the characters are very one-dimensional, but in truth - they're more zero-dimensional - they're often not even consistent with themselves. Their choices are odd. Their relationships are based on nothing.
And then you get towards the end and the big unexpected thing is revealed, and then it removes *any* rationale for the rest of the plot.
I've learned my lesson - I'd rather DNF fifty more books this year than sit through another one like this one.
If you want a story about a lonely old man and community - please read |A Man Called Ove.
If you want a story about a person unhealthily coping with their past - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is a decent book!
If you want a story about racism in London - may I suggest Girl, Woman, Other?
Might downscale the rating to 1 star later.
[Edit] Downscaled to 1 star. Really can't find any redeeming qualities to warrant 2.
I read it because it came recommended by someone who liked a lot of the same books I did. And after DNF-ing several other books this year, I tried my best to stick with it.
First, I ignored the poor writing.
Second, I ignored the complete and utter lack of any substance. I thought - well, let's just try to enjoy it as a light read.
By the time I realized I should have quit a long time ago I was so far in I wanted to see how the whole thing ended.
The writing is... it's not even mediocre, it's poor. The author clearly got inspired by A Man Called Ove (and possibly by Eleanor Oliphant) but forgot to actually make sense. What we end up with is just a string of short episodes with no logic between one another. Things happen, without ever being resolved. Things happen, without any relevance for the plot. Tons of unnecessary details. Pages of Hubert deciding whether or not he'll go out to get cat food (and you'd expect something amazing happens when he eventually does/doesn't, but no). An elaborate description of Jan ordering hot chocolate. Characters that disappear, but don't add any value to the story.
The characters lack any credibility. I would say the characters are very one-dimensional, but in truth - they're more zero-dimensional - they're often not even consistent with themselves. Their choices are odd. Their relationships are based on nothing.
And then you get towards the end and the big unexpected thing is revealed, and then it removes *any* rationale for the rest of the plot.
I've learned my lesson - I'd rather DNF fifty more books this year than sit through another one like this one.
If you want a story about a lonely old man and community - please read |A Man Called Ove.
If you want a story about a person unhealthily coping with their past - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is a decent book!
If you want a story about racism in London - may I suggest Girl, Woman, Other?
Might downscale the rating to 1 star later.
[Edit] Downscaled to 1 star. Really can't find any redeeming qualities to warrant 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Child death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Dementia
Minor: Infidelity
spinesinaline's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was wonderful and also there was no need for it to be so sad
This book is beautiful and heartbreaking, and a lovely portrait of a senior man finding new love for life. It packs a punch but it’s such a beautiful story with so many characters I’d love to know in real life.
Thanks to Grand Central Pub for a review copy
This book is beautiful and heartbreaking, and a lovely portrait of a senior man finding new love for life. It packs a punch but it’s such a beautiful story with so many characters I’d love to know in real life.
Thanks to Grand Central Pub for a review copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Racism, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Dementia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Child death, and Physical abuse
honestlyrussell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Dementia, and Alcoholism
kelly_e's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
Title: All the Lonely People
Author: Mike Gayle
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5
Pub Date: July 13 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Heartbreaking • Heartwarming • Authentic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In 1958, Hubert Bird moves from the West Indies to Britain for a better life. Despite some initial difficulties, especially being a black immigrant, he manages to do just when he meets the love of his life, Joyce. Years later when Joyce dies, Hubert descends into a darkness, and yet he looks forward to his weekly phone calls with his daughter, Rose. It is during these phone calls that Hubert, tells her of his many outings with a group of friends he has entirely created. When out of the blue, Rose decides to come visit, Hubert goes in search of friends or face telling Rose of his endless lies and loneliness. All the Lonely People is a story of love and grief, of loneliness and companionship, of kindness and human connection.
💭 T H O U G H T S
A favourite for 2021!
There are books, and then there are books that completely consume you, and All the Lonely People is one of those books for me. Every once is awhile, a character comes along and completely steals your heart - Hubert is that character! Mike Gayle has managed to create a cast of secondary characters equally as charming and quirky as Hubert, while weaving race and mental health flawlessly into the story. Beautifully written from a third person perspective and in alternating time lines the hardships of Hubert's life unfold at the perfect pace, evoking both laughter and tears. The emotional journey I experienced while reading this book is everything I want when reading a book.
This is definitely one of those books I'll be finding a copy of for my favourites shelf! Equal parts relatable and hopeful, it felt as though this book was written just for me, and I am grateful to have picked it up. The sub-genre involving curmudgeons is easily becoming one I love.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• everyone!
• fans of A Man Called Ove
• readers who love curmudgeons
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Sometimes, thought Hubert, you have to try the impossible to work out whether it is impossible. Sometimes, as his Joyce used to say, instead of waiting around for somebody else to do something, you have to be that person. Sometimes you just have to go big or go home."
"He'd become so accustomed to seeing Joyce in distress or pain and now here she was looking so peaceful, so serene, finally free from the prison of this terrible disease. Sitting back down, he took her hand and pressed it to his lip. 'Thank you, Joyce Pierce,' he whispered. 'Thank you. For everything.' "
"People like Hubert - the ones who have been let down by life and feel like giving up - are the very ones who need this most."
" 'Me thought me was beat,' he said, 'that me had enough life, that nobody needed me. And me let that bitterness and that sorrow eat me right up inside.' He paused and considered the crowd properly for the first time since he'd begun speaking, and was surprised to see that they were hanging on his every word. 'And me probably would've stayed like that until my dying day,' continued Hubert, 'but then out of the blue there was a knock at my door and that's when me met someone who change my life.' Ashleigh squeezed his hand. 'You see, the key to helping other people out of them loneliness is nothing more difficult than good old-fashioned perseverance. It's not always easy, me know that, but you've got to be willing to keep doors open, to carry on trying even if it doesn't look like it's working. You've got to refuse to give up on people, even if them given up on themselves.' He paused again, reflecting on just how lonely he'd been all those years, how cut off from the rest of the world."
"'And that's the funny thing about life. Extraordinary thing can happen to ordinary people like you and me, but only if we open ourselves up enough to let them.'"
"To continue living wasn't a betrayal of Joyce, of Rose, of David, of any of the life that had led him to this moment. In fact, to choose to continue living was to honor the memory of those he had loved and lose, a celebration of the life they had once shared."
Author: Mike Gayle
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5
Pub Date: July 13 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Heartbreaking • Heartwarming • Authentic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In 1958, Hubert Bird moves from the West Indies to Britain for a better life. Despite some initial difficulties, especially being a black immigrant, he manages to do just when he meets the love of his life, Joyce. Years later when Joyce dies, Hubert descends into a darkness, and yet he looks forward to his weekly phone calls with his daughter, Rose. It is during these phone calls that Hubert, tells her of his many outings with a group of friends he has entirely created. When out of the blue, Rose decides to come visit, Hubert goes in search of friends or face telling Rose of his endless lies and loneliness. All the Lonely People is a story of love and grief, of loneliness and companionship, of kindness and human connection.
💭 T H O U G H T S
A favourite for 2021!
There are books, and then there are books that completely consume you, and All the Lonely People is one of those books for me. Every once is awhile, a character comes along and completely steals your heart - Hubert is that character! Mike Gayle has managed to create a cast of secondary characters equally as charming and quirky as Hubert, while weaving race and mental health flawlessly into the story. Beautifully written from a third person perspective and in alternating time lines the hardships of Hubert's life unfold at the perfect pace, evoking both laughter and tears. The emotional journey I experienced while reading this book is everything I want when reading a book.
This is definitely one of those books I'll be finding a copy of for my favourites shelf! Equal parts relatable and hopeful, it felt as though this book was written just for me, and I am grateful to have picked it up. The sub-genre involving curmudgeons is easily becoming one I love.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• everyone!
• fans of A Man Called Ove
• readers who love curmudgeons
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Sometimes, thought Hubert, you have to try the impossible to work out whether it is impossible. Sometimes, as his Joyce used to say, instead of waiting around for somebody else to do something, you have to be that person. Sometimes you just have to go big or go home."
"He'd become so accustomed to seeing Joyce in distress or pain and now here she was looking so peaceful, so serene, finally free from the prison of this terrible disease. Sitting back down, he took her hand and pressed it to his lip. 'Thank you, Joyce Pierce,' he whispered. 'Thank you. For everything.' "
"People like Hubert - the ones who have been let down by life and feel like giving up - are the very ones who need this most."
" 'Me thought me was beat,' he said, 'that me had enough life, that nobody needed me. And me let that bitterness and that sorrow eat me right up inside.' He paused and considered the crowd properly for the first time since he'd begun speaking, and was surprised to see that they were hanging on his every word. 'And me probably would've stayed like that until my dying day,' continued Hubert, 'but then out of the blue there was a knock at my door and that's when me met someone who change my life.' Ashleigh squeezed his hand. 'You see, the key to helping other people out of them loneliness is nothing more difficult than good old-fashioned perseverance. It's not always easy, me know that, but you've got to be willing to keep doors open, to carry on trying even if it doesn't look like it's working. You've got to refuse to give up on people, even if them given up on themselves.' He paused again, reflecting on just how lonely he'd been all those years, how cut off from the rest of the world."
"'And that's the funny thing about life. Extraordinary thing can happen to ordinary people like you and me, but only if we open ourselves up enough to let them.'"
"To continue living wasn't a betrayal of Joyce, of Rose, of David, of any of the life that had led him to this moment. In fact, to choose to continue living was to honor the memory of those he had loved and lose, a celebration of the life they had once shared."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Moderate: Car accident, Child death, Death, Dementia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Addiction
death of a partner