amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read Steven Rowley’s The Guncle first, not his later backlist but since he is publishing another book soon I wanted to read his other novels to play catch up on my tbr. You can tell this is a early work from him because while I felt for Ted and the tumor that was in Lily’s body, as a grown man he came across as immature and now how I imagined a 42 year old was supposed to act ? Then again maybe this is why we are introduced and brought in to his therapy sessions because it seemed like he needed them to adjust / make sense of his emotions. I never owned any pets but I can only imagine the huge loss it feels when they are gone. Steven Rowley did ok with this one but thankfully his writing and characterization has improved in the last several years since this one. Ironically, Michael Yerger is the audiobook narrator in this one and he voiced Marcellus in Remarkably Bright Creatures. How fitting ;)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Terminal illness
vanesst's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Infidelity, Vomit, Cursing, Dementia, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Racism
readtheroomjess's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it’s beautifully written, heartwarming, and made me think a lot about how much I love the dogs at my feet. However, it was also heartbreaking in a way that felt gratuitous at times. I’m not sure any dog parent wants to hear a story about this . I also think a big part of the point is how much Ted used his relationship with Lily as a crutch to avoid “real life”, and that can be a cautionary tale for those of us who put our lives into our beloved animals. I suppose I’m glad I read this book, but I also kind of wish I never had.
Spoiler
(this being pet illness and death)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Animal death
marinapaso11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I would’ve given it 5 stars if it wasn’t for the tiny mention of the stereotypical Inuit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Grief, Terminal illness, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol and Mental illness
Minor: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, and Dementia
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