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A review by dogoodwithbooks
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lucy Gilmore's The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a charming tale of finding community within the love of books in unlikely places.
Sloane Parker prefers the quiet nuances of everyday life as a local librarian, even if it means the occasional argument with the town grump, Arthur McLachlan. Yet, when Sloane finds out about Arthur's recent hospitalization, she decides to assist in Arthur's recovery and eventually forms a makeshift book club made up with the town's misfits.
Going between the book club members: Sloane, Maisey, Matteo, Greg, and Arthur himself, this book really explores themes of belonging and community excellently. Each of the characters with their own set of problems and how their involvement in the book club changes their lives for the better, Gilmore does a great job with balancing out this ensemble cast with their own moments to shine.
Now, I listened to the audiobook version of The Lonely Hearts Book Club through my local library and it was a bit of an investment. The chapters can be a bit long and the transitions between the different POVs, as well as their subsequent chapters, isn't as smooth as it could be. However, Angie Kane, sole narrator for The Lonely Hearts Book Club, provides an excellent narration for the book and conveys every single emotion found in the page with authentic acting.
If you are looking for a contemporary, found family novel featuring an ensemble cast bonding over a love of books, you might want to read The Lonely Hearts Book Club.
Sloane Parker prefers the quiet nuances of everyday life as a local librarian, even if it means the occasional argument with the town grump, Arthur McLachlan. Yet, when Sloane finds out about Arthur's recent hospitalization, she decides to assist in Arthur's recovery and eventually forms a makeshift book club made up with the town's misfits.
Going between the book club members: Sloane, Maisey, Matteo, Greg, and Arthur himself, this book really explores themes of belonging and community excellently. Each of the characters with their own set of problems and how their involvement in the book club changes their lives for the better, Gilmore does a great job with balancing out this ensemble cast with their own moments to shine.
Now, I listened to the audiobook version of The Lonely Hearts Book Club through my local library and it was a bit of an investment. The chapters can be a bit long and the transitions between the different POVs, as well as their subsequent chapters, isn't as smooth as it could be. However, Angie Kane, sole narrator for The Lonely Hearts Book Club, provides an excellent narration for the book and conveys every single emotion found in the page with authentic acting.
If you are looking for a contemporary, found family novel featuring an ensemble cast bonding over a love of books, you might want to read The Lonely Hearts Book Club.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer