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A review by hedonicbooks
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
5.0
I've been racking my brain for almost two weeks, trying to come up with something more intelligent than excited mumblings.
The thing is that this book is so understatingly beautiful, that I can't seem to find the right words.
The Guncle tells the story of Patrick, gay uncle to Maisie and Grant, who have recently lost their mother, Sara (Patrick's friend from college and his brother's wife) and come live with him for a few months while their Dad goes to rehab to take care of his pills addiction.
There's nothing that I didn't love about this book. Everything made sense and I just adored how down to earth and balanced the writing was. You'd expect some drama or some over the top ending or some unnecessary conflict, but no. This story is just smooth waters, beginning to end. I love that. It felt so real and raw and beautiful.
Patrick's relationship with his niece and nephew is priceless. It's just perfectly portrayed, without playing the gay uncle card comically. It felt like a healthy relationship between family members that are going through grief, even if Patrick often feels overwhelmed and poorly equipped to handle the kids in these specific circumstances.
The healing that happens throughout this book felt natural, unforced. It was a marvellous thing to witness.
I particularly enjoyed Patrick's heart to heart with his brother, towards the end. It was really emotional and it just struck a chord. Their relationship is so genuine and effortlessly good, like family should be.
Anyway, the thing is I laughed (Patrick has an awesome sense of humour and the kids are just so freaking adorable), I cried (because I'm ridiculously empathetic and I felt these characters' grief), I ached (because getting to know Patrick's guilt and pain was heartbreaking), I loved (because every character was just so lovable and served a purpose).
It's the perfect book if you just want to feel good and hopeful. I love it so much.
________________________
Initial reaction after finishing this book:
Ugh, this book is so beautiful. I promise I'm gonna write a longer review as soon as I calm down. But this book!!!! aaaaah ❤️❤️❤️
The thing is that this book is so understatingly beautiful, that I can't seem to find the right words.
The Guncle tells the story of Patrick, gay uncle to Maisie and Grant, who have recently lost their mother, Sara (Patrick's friend from college and his brother's wife) and come live with him for a few months while their Dad goes to rehab to take care of his pills addiction.
There's nothing that I didn't love about this book. Everything made sense and I just adored how down to earth and balanced the writing was. You'd expect some drama or some over the top ending or some unnecessary conflict, but no. This story is just smooth waters, beginning to end. I love that. It felt so real and raw and beautiful.
Patrick's relationship with his niece and nephew is priceless. It's just perfectly portrayed, without playing the gay uncle card comically. It felt like a healthy relationship between family members that are going through grief, even if Patrick often feels overwhelmed and poorly equipped to handle the kids in these specific circumstances.
The healing that happens throughout this book felt natural, unforced. It was a marvellous thing to witness.
I particularly enjoyed Patrick's heart to heart with his brother, towards the end. It was really emotional and it just struck a chord. Their relationship is so genuine and effortlessly good, like family should be.
Anyway, the thing is I laughed (Patrick has an awesome sense of humour and the kids are just so freaking adorable), I cried (because I'm ridiculously empathetic and I felt these characters' grief), I ached (because getting to know Patrick's guilt and pain was heartbreaking), I loved (because every character was just so lovable and served a purpose).
It's the perfect book if you just want to feel good and hopeful. I love it so much.
________________________
Initial reaction after finishing this book:
Ugh, this book is so beautiful. I promise I'm gonna write a longer review as soon as I calm down. But this book!!!! aaaaah ❤️❤️❤️