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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
The reality is that loneliness is a reality in life. The entire story is the current life of an 84 year old Jamaican man and the flashbacks to his past. You understand the title the best around 3/4 of the way through the book and I loved the character development that really got to the punchline. We see the entire story from his arrival in England as a young adult and the way his life turned out. The prejudices of race in the 1950/60's, the hardships of health deteriorations, drug addictions and regular life experiences are all touched on in this book. The moment of truth 2/3 in, the bombshell was large but it was the next chapters that really broke my heart. Definitely a crying book. The last chapter was easily one of my favorite endings of a book like this. So well done.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
It took me a little bit to warm up to the story but it really got me about half way through. It definitely inspired me to make an effort to see things from other people’s perspectives.
2.5 stars.
Admittedly this is not my usual type of reading (it's a book club pick), but it was quite charming and had me openly crying toward the end.
Admittedly this is not my usual type of reading (it's a book club pick), but it was quite charming and had me openly crying toward the end.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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 stars
I enjoyed reading this book while it was happening, and there were several very touching moments, but it just didn’t hit home for me the way it seems it has for others. Much of the story felt contrived, and maybe I’m just cynical but a campaign to end loneliness in a suburb making the creators local celebrities just…doesn’t work for me. I can appreciate the sentiment behind this story and I think it’s worth the read, I just wasn’t Moved.
I enjoyed reading this book while it was happening, and there were several very touching moments, but it just didn’t hit home for me the way it seems it has for others. Much of the story felt contrived, and maybe I’m just cynical but a campaign to end loneliness in a suburb making the creators local celebrities just…doesn’t work for me. I can appreciate the sentiment behind this story and I think it’s worth the read, I just wasn’t Moved.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read on audiobook June 2025.
Shoutout to library bingo for recommending this book for intergenerational friendships. I think it’s a poignant window into aging. I do think it throws a lot at you, which can feel a bit like a checkbox instead of really digging into the topics:racist family, drug abuse, dementia, unhoused, suicide, car accident, robbery, etc I think the friendship between Ashley and Hubert is so sweet. I think loneliness is a really important issue. I do also feel like I’m still unclear on what exactly they are asking people to do about it. It’s still a very sweet friend group! I didn’t expect the 18 months later at the end to be Hubert’s funeral! I also didn’t expect his daughter, Rose, to have died in a car accident. I thought the storyline with David was kind of brushed over. I understand that Hubert tries to help him many times. Hubert was also really judgy about drug use and houselessness. This characters aren’t perfect, and I didn’t always love them, which makes them real.
Shoutout to library bingo for recommending this book for intergenerational friendships. I think it’s a poignant window into aging. I do think it throws a lot at you, which can feel a bit like a checkbox instead of really digging into the topics:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Classism
Minor: Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent
Widower Hubert Bird has weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia and paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun and friendship. But Hubert is lying. Truth is, he hardly sees a soul. When his daughter announces she’s coming to visit, Hubert faces a race against time to make real life friendships. Is he destined to always be one of the lonely people? ✨
“Apparently, loneliness is a bigger killer than cancer. Can you imagine that? There’s a bigger killer than cancer in the world and no one’s doing anything about it.” ✨
This book was a little gem and it just warmed my heart. The characters were really likeable and I was cheering for some during the book. There was a lovely backstory to the book with the characters all linked. I was in tears by the end and it really got me thinking of how loneliness plays a part in people’s lives especially during the pandemic. Another fantastic read from Mike Gayle and another 5
“Apparently, loneliness is a bigger killer than cancer. Can you imagine that? There’s a bigger killer than cancer in the world and no one’s doing anything about it.” ✨
This book was a little gem and it just warmed my heart. The characters were really likeable and I was cheering for some during the book. There was a lovely backstory to the book with the characters all linked. I was in tears by the end and it really got me thinking of how loneliness plays a part in people’s lives especially during the pandemic. Another fantastic read from Mike Gayle and another 5
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
If you like Fredrik Backman and in particular A Man Called Ove then this is an absolute must read. It's a story of grief and overcoming loneliness and how ordinary connections can lead to extraordinary friendships.
📖 84 year old Hubert Bird is a British-Jamaican widower. His successful daughter Rose lives in Australia and phones him every week. He tells her of his perfect retirement and vibrant social life but in reality, he's withdrawn from the world and largely isolated.
When his daughter announces she's visiting, Hubert must quickly make his fake life a reality before she discovers the truth.
✨ Review ✨
This is such a bittersweet story exploring sadness and reflections on loss and grief, but there are also moments that are so heartwarming making the perfect balance. It shows how people can find meaning and purpose in their lives by reaching out to others. Through it all Hubert stole my heart.
We follow two different timelines 'Then - beginning in 1958' and 'Now - current times'. These two timelines weave together perfectly and add such depth to how Hubert got to where he is.
This also explores the UKs 'windrush generation' showing the challenges and racism immigrants faced during this time. The windrush generation refers to people who migrated to the UK from Commonwealth countries between 1948 and 1973. A time when Britain needed people to fill jobs in the health service, transport system and postal system. Despite there legal entitlement to stay they faced much discrimination.
This story broke my heart and put it bad together again.
📖 84 year old Hubert Bird is a British-Jamaican widower. His successful daughter Rose lives in Australia and phones him every week. He tells her of his perfect retirement and vibrant social life but in reality, he's withdrawn from the world and largely isolated.
When his daughter announces she's visiting, Hubert must quickly make his fake life a reality before she discovers the truth.
✨ Review ✨
This is such a bittersweet story exploring sadness and reflections on loss and grief, but there are also moments that are so heartwarming making the perfect balance. It shows how people can find meaning and purpose in their lives by reaching out to others. Through it all Hubert stole my heart.
We follow two different timelines 'Then - beginning in 1958' and 'Now - current times'. These two timelines weave together perfectly and add such depth to how Hubert got to where he is.
This also explores the UKs 'windrush generation' showing the challenges and racism immigrants faced during this time. The windrush generation refers to people who migrated to the UK from Commonwealth countries between 1948 and 1973. A time when Britain needed people to fill jobs in the health service, transport system and postal system. Despite there legal entitlement to stay they faced much discrimination.
This story broke my heart and put it bad together again.
All the Lonely People is a wholesome story that is both heartfelt as well as thought provoking. The characterisation is superb, and I just adored Hubert. it was one I didn't want to end as I so enjoyed getting to know everyone. It covers some tough topics that pulled on my emotions but was wonderfully handled. A story and characters that will stay with me for a long time.