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earth_to_mars's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Guncle was interesting to me. I'm still reeling from one of the worst books I've read this year (maybe ever), so maybe I'm biased, but whatever. I had fun!
The Guncle is about Patrick O'Hara, a washed up celebrity sit-com actor who has to take care of his six-year-old nephew (Grant) and nine-year-old niece (Maisie) after the death of their mother and his best friend, Sara. Why? Because their father (his brother), Greg, self admitted to rehab for the summer.
When I started reading this I got heavy BoJack Horseman vibes, specifically the first season. The themes and overall mood is trying to strike a balance between funny and sad, grief and humor. And that's not a bad thing. There were parts where I cringed, parts where I laughed, parts where I teared up. It was enjoyable.
The characters are endearing, the kid's aren't annoying (just regular kid annoying, but in a way that doesn't impede on the reading) and Patrick's realization that he is isolating himself because he refuses to grieve his past lover, Joe, is a really strong character arc. The Guncle's version of The Telescope (the episode of BoJack Horseman that was a turning point from typical adult comedy to something more serious) comes in Chapter Twenty, whenPatrick rereads a letter to Joe he wrote in therapy after his death .
This was the emotional shift that really solidified the four star rating for me. I also enjoyed the scenes with Patrick and his sister Clara. It's messy, it's hard. But it's realistic. Where both have issues with one another, valid criticisms and complaints between the two (other complaints not so much or not their fault), but at the end of their fight, they still manage to come together. I also love the flashbacks with Sara. We get to know her without her being there, she's more than just a mother, a wife, a friend. The person she was lives with Patrick, with Greg, with the kids. And it's heartwarming.
I loved watching Patrick's walls come down with the kids, it's humbling and honestly, nice to watch unfold.
Overall, it's lighthearted, yet heartfelt. It's a story of a broken family, all of them grieving their relationships in different ways, where they come together and slowly start their path of healing together, that's definitely worth the read.
The Guncle is about Patrick O'Hara, a washed up celebrity sit-com actor who has to take care of his six-year-old nephew (Grant) and nine-year-old niece (Maisie) after the death of their mother and his best friend, Sara. Why? Because their father (his brother), Greg, self admitted to rehab for the summer.
When I started reading this I got heavy BoJack Horseman vibes, specifically the first season. The themes and overall mood is trying to strike a balance between funny and sad, grief and humor. And that's not a bad thing. There were parts where I cringed, parts where I laughed, parts where I teared up. It was enjoyable.
The characters are endearing, the kid's aren't annoying (just regular kid annoying, but in a way that doesn't impede on the reading) and Patrick's realization that he is isolating himself because he refuses to grieve his past lover, Joe, is a really strong character arc. The Guncle's version of The Telescope (the episode of BoJack Horseman that was a turning point from typical adult comedy to something more serious) comes in Chapter Twenty, when
This was the emotional shift that really solidified the four star rating for me. I also enjoyed the scenes with Patrick and his sister Clara. It's messy, it's hard. But it's realistic. Where both have issues with one another, valid criticisms and complaints between the two (other complaints not so much or not their fault), but at the end of their fight, they still manage to come together. I also love the flashbacks with Sara. We get to know her without her being there, she's more than just a mother, a wife, a friend. The person she was lives with Patrick, with Greg, with the kids. And it's heartwarming.
I loved watching Patrick's walls come down with the kids, it's humbling and honestly, nice to watch unfold.
Overall, it's lighthearted, yet heartfelt. It's a story of a broken family, all of them grieving their relationships in different ways, where they come together and slowly start their path of healing together, that's definitely worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
bookwitch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
This was a great little contemporary novel. Heavier themes than originally assumed, though I really appreciated the conversations and how they were handled. Some parts actually had me laughing out loud, which is for some reason really rare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
brittanylee0302's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was super cute, fun & really dived deep into allll the emotions. I found Patrick, Mazey & Grant to be the cutest trio & loved their interactions. While this book was funny & kept me laughing, it also dove deep into grief & coping with it from different perspectives & both from Patrick's adult perspective, but the kids as will. Sometimes books struggle with doing a good job of reflecting all these emotions but this job did a phenomenal job along with exploring a variety of other themes. Im really looking forward to the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
rhiannon814r's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
shenelle_h's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Car accident
readwithkel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.5
This took me a little bit to get into, but I just loved it.
The characters, the dialogue, and the little bits of comedy made this book so enjoyable. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series!
The characters, the dialogue, and the little bits of comedy made this book so enjoyable. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Car accident
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
pazfauxster's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The reason I took up The Guncle was that I needed something light to read, something funny and positive as a palate cleanser between the weird shit I usually get myself into. Did it live up to my expectations? Partly, yes, and here's why.
The Guncle is, indeed, a light read. It's written in a language that's accessible but never really plain. Steven Rowley portrays the characters with unending empathy and an attentive eye: they're all quirky, somewhat complicated, flawed, human. I especially adored the kids—Maisie and Grant. They have distinct personalities and feel very authentic. Maisie, my gender-defying science-loving queen, I shall always be your fan.
What I did not expect when starting the book was just how teary-eyed I would get at times. It does not shy away from heavier themes. There's addiction, suicidal ideation, depression, and the most attention is given to loss and grieving. At times, it was all rather visceral, and I found myself with a lump in my throat.
That being said, it is in no way a bleak book. It's filled with kindness and hope, it's genuinely funny, and it's comforting like a cup of hot tea for the soul.
The Guncle is, indeed, a light read. It's written in a language that's accessible but never really plain. Steven Rowley portrays the characters with unending empathy and an attentive eye: they're all quirky, somewhat complicated, flawed, human. I especially adored the kids—Maisie and Grant. They have distinct personalities and feel very authentic. Maisie, my gender-defying science-loving queen, I shall always be your fan.
What I did not expect when starting the book was just how teary-eyed I would get at times. It does not shy away from heavier themes. There's addiction, suicidal ideation, depression, and the most attention is given to loss and grieving. At times, it was all rather visceral, and I found myself with a lump in my throat.
That being said, it is in no way a bleak book. It's filled with kindness and hope, it's genuinely funny, and it's comforting like a cup of hot tea for the soul.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
Minor: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
vanessagrausam's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
oxfordcommas91's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I truly loved Steven Rowley’s “The Celebrants” so wanted to give this one a try upon recommendation from a friend. It wasn’t nearly as satisfying as The Celebrants but kept me busy for a few days. While the kids were delightful, I think I missed some of the charm that their gay uncle (“Guncle”) was supposed to bring to the table. His life felt a bit difficult to relate to and disconnected from the storyline happening. Nonetheless, a nice story about grief and finding/discovering joy in unlikely places. There was a lot of heart in this book and a fair amount of laugh out loud moments, but I wasn’t as invested in this story as I would have liked to be!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
Minor: Drug use
_serena_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
I loved the humorous take on loss and grief. It’s done well and tastefully. Patrick’s sarcasm and humor are so lighthearted. It really helps in tackling these big topics like parental loss, romantic partner loss, grief, suicidal ideation, loss of innocence.
Patrick’s love for his niece and nephew is immense! But I love that this was as much of a healing journey for Patrick as it was for the children.
Patrick’s love for his niece and nephew is immense! But I love that this was as much of a healing journey for Patrick as it was for the children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Suicidal thoughts