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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I enjoyed the story. there were definitely some plot chasms and it felt like maybe the writer went to some sort of writer camp where they give you lots of ideas of how to try to plot twist and he wanted to try them all in one book. like a plot twist sampler platter.
I cried quite a bit which suckes because I was listening on audiobook and driving.
I cried quite a bit which suckes because I was listening on audiobook and driving.
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes
Such a great story of a man who had a rough go of it finding his happiness. Well done Mike Gayle.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
I had an idea of what to expect with this book. It wouldn't be my first grumpy old man is dragged kicking and screaming into a "found family," and his life is changed dramatically for the better by a quirky cast of stereotypes. I remember I originally picked up the book though because I liked the idea of the premise of a solitary grumpy old guy trying to scramble some "friends" together to cover up for having lied to their daughter and not wanting her to worry about his loneliness.
Almost none of the above is what this book is really about. Hubert is a grumpy and lonely old man, yes, but he is the one who decides to change. He is the one who starts to open up and reach out to people after he caves to one favor for his chatty neighbor and realizes how much it benefited him too. He earns the loyalty and support of the people around him.
The book is also thoroughly interspersed with chapters from his past, and not all of them are even from his perspective. There are vivid illustrations of the racism and classism of the late 1950s, contrasted with a different but not totally improved society of today.
There's also a massive plot twist that really blindsided me and I'm still not sure how to feel about it. Some threads are also not quite resolved, but such is the case with real life. You don't get closure for everything.
The audiobook narrator's voice was a little tough to understand sometimes, but I think it suited the setting and main character.
Almost none of the above is what this book is really about. Hubert is a grumpy and lonely old man, yes, but he is the one who decides to change. He is the one who starts to open up and reach out to people after he caves to one favor for his chatty neighbor and realizes how much it benefited him too. He earns the loyalty and support of the people around him.
The book is also thoroughly interspersed with chapters from his past, and not all of them are even from his perspective. There are vivid illustrations of the racism and classism of the late 1950s, contrasted with a different but not totally improved society of today.
There's also a massive plot twist that really blindsided me and I'm still not sure how to feel about it. Some threads are also not quite resolved, but such is the case with real life. You don't get closure for everything.
The audiobook narrator's voice was a little tough to understand sometimes, but I think it suited the setting and main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Dementia
Minor: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent
4.5/5
So I was recommended this book and it was pitched for fans of A MAN CALLED OVE, which I think is a great comp. For the first 60 pages or so, this felt like a bit of a rip off of that (neighbor with a kid tries to make friends with grumpy widower). But the deeper it gets the more unique it becomes. Hubert's backstory as a Jamaican who immigrates to England as a young man and falls in love with a white woman at a time when interracial marriage was deeply discouraged added a whole new layer to the grumpy old man tale. Then we learn about his kids and there are several twists I did NOT see coming (who thought these books could have twists). Anyway, I devoured the final 200 pages of this book last night and sat up sobbing at 12:30 am. It can be a little didactic at times and it's a bit plainly written (plus the beginning I felt fairly neutral about), but by the end I was hooked and I think this book is severely underrated!!!
So I was recommended this book and it was pitched for fans of A MAN CALLED OVE, which I think is a great comp. For the first 60 pages or so, this felt like a bit of a rip off of that (neighbor with a kid tries to make friends with grumpy widower). But the deeper it gets the more unique it becomes. Hubert's backstory as a Jamaican who immigrates to England as a young man and falls in love with a white woman at a time when interracial marriage was deeply discouraged added a whole new layer to the grumpy old man tale. Then we learn about his kids and there are several twists I did NOT see coming (who thought these books could have twists). Anyway, I devoured the final 200 pages of this book last night and sat up sobbing at 12:30 am. It can be a little didactic at times and it's a bit plainly written (plus the beginning I felt fairly neutral about), but by the end I was hooked and I think this book is severely underrated!!!
Gobsmacked! I'm one that frequently predicts events that will happen in movies, shows and books. It is rare when I'm shocked. So when I started reading this I thought I had it all figured out. Then it happened....what? wait? did that just happen?!?!
I won't get into it due to spoilers, but I can say I loved the characters but Hubert was definitely my fav. I fell in love with him. It was a great book that spoke about community, loneliness, love and how each of us have our struggles. It was inspiring.
Fav Quote:
"Extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people like you and me, but only if we open ourselves up enough to let them."
I won't get into it due to spoilers, but I can say I loved the characters but Hubert was definitely my fav. I fell in love with him. It was a great book that spoke about community, loneliness, love and how each of us have our struggles. It was inspiring.
Fav Quote:
"Extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people like you and me, but only if we open ourselves up enough to let them."
Oh my goodness this is an emotional rollercoaster ride - so much joy and so much heartbreak. Have lots of tissues nearby.
Hubert Bird is an 84 year old Jamaican immigrant living in London. He is a widower and his children aren't close - one is physically distant, and the other is physically and emotionally distant. He talks to his daughter Rose weekly and regales her with stories of adventures of he and his friends from the senior center. Rose lives abroad in Australia teaching at university and hasn't been home in years and his stories assure her that he has a full life and is surrounded by so many loving and caring people. When she calls with the good news that a sabbatical will bring her home for a long visit, Hubert is both thrilled and...anxious. He has been lying to Rose. He has been living the life of a hermit. Determined not to disappoint his daughter, he sets out on a mission to build the life he's been describing to Rose in the few weeks before her arrival.
This book alternates between Hubert's present and his past. We get to see Hubert as a new immigrant struggling to make his way in a new country despite the racism, falling in love, building a life with his family and all the triumphs and devastating challenges they face throughout the years until his past meets up with his present. In the present, we watch Hubert open himself up to new people and experiences. He even takes a leadership role in a very public community project! It's just glorious and heartwarming to watch his growth and to see his life expand.
I love Hubert Bird and I want to wrap him up in so much love. However, I was left wondering if Hubert has a mental health issue that goes unexplored in this book. Or maybe that's just another way grief manifests, or both and. I wish we saw him get some professional help.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is fantastic. There are a few different immigrants from places other than Jamaica. The narrator did a great job capturing the different voices and accents.
Thanks to LibroFM and the publisher for the ALC.
Hubert Bird is an 84 year old Jamaican immigrant living in London. He is a widower and his children aren't close - one is physically distant, and the other is physically and emotionally distant. He talks to his daughter Rose weekly and regales her with stories of adventures of he and his friends from the senior center. Rose lives abroad in Australia teaching at university and hasn't been home in years and his stories assure her that he has a full life and is surrounded by so many loving and caring people. When she calls with the good news that a sabbatical will bring her home for a long visit, Hubert is both thrilled and...anxious. He has been lying to Rose. He has been living the life of a hermit. Determined not to disappoint his daughter, he sets out on a mission to build the life he's been describing to Rose in the few weeks before her arrival.
This book alternates between Hubert's present and his past. We get to see Hubert as a new immigrant struggling to make his way in a new country despite the racism, falling in love, building a life with his family and all the triumphs and devastating challenges they face throughout the years until his past meets up with his present. In the present, we watch Hubert open himself up to new people and experiences. He even takes a leadership role in a very public community project! It's just glorious and heartwarming to watch his growth and to see his life expand.
I love Hubert Bird and I want to wrap him up in so much love. However, I was left wondering if Hubert has a mental health issue that goes unexplored in this book. Or maybe that's just another way grief manifests, or both and. I wish we saw him get some professional help.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is fantastic. There are a few different immigrants from places other than Jamaica. The narrator did a great job capturing the different voices and accents.
Thanks to LibroFM and the publisher for the ALC.