The Guncle: a novel Paperback – 5 April 2022

It is hard to know what to say about a book that has been reviewed by so many people, so I supposed it is best just to say what it meant to me.Prior to reading this book, I had just finished reading another book that was about grief and found myself turning to this sunny cheerful cover, desperate for some light relief. You see the other book I had read, written by two authors, had such a melancholy feel about it that is left me in quite a dark place. In their book, grief was portrayed as more of an anchor, keeping their protagonist locked in the past. The book had an air of gloom that seeped from the pages and left you feeling so much despair. “The Guncle” however is the complete opposite of that and one that is the biggest celebration of “living” than most other books out there. Steven Rowley has written a character, a series of characters in fact, that take you through a process that is so often spoken about in somber hushed tones, but instead they shout about it in the hope that we see the glory that is to be had in living.After Maisie and Grant’s mother dies, these 2 young children are sent to live with their Uncle Patrick, their mother’s best friend and the brother of their father. The depiction of these three central characters is outstanding and through them Steve Rowley takes us through a process of grief, as seen through the eyes of a child and an old TV actor who is himself still grieving after the death of his partner 12 years earlier. Similar in style to the film “Mame”, “The Guncle” is about how 2 children slot into the life of an uncompromising man, who refuses to change who he is to accommodate these “two annoying little people”. But, as you might suspect, the children start to change Patrick and in turn he starts to help them process the loss of their mother.Steve Rowley has written such a wonderful book which is such a breath of fresh air that gives you hope for all that life has to offer. It is funny, it’s heartbreaking, it’s stylish and it’s clever. But most of all it’s joyous. The comedy is off the charts funny, but the insights he has are so profound and moving. I loved spending time with Partick and the kids and was so sad when the book eventually came to an end. I wanted to spend more time with the children and see how Patrick moves forward with his life and career. Thankfully Steven Rowley has read my mind and this summer we will be getting a sequel.As an author he knows how to pace a book and make it funny and sad at the same time, all the while offering wonderful insights into life. He is a voice I want to hear more from and a confirmation that there are really great writers out there who are still writing timeless classics. I heard rumours that this book is being optioned to be made into a film. If that is true I beg you to read the book first because no one will ever be able to match the experience the book gives you. Reading it you get to hear this story in the author’s own words. And if you listen to the audiobook, you actually get to hear the author’s own words as spoken by the author himself! Something I recommend.

Living a self imposed exile in Palm Springs Patrick O’Hara a former successful comedy series star has his isolation upended when he is asked to look after his niece and nephew after the death of their mother.Together they learn to grieve for Sara and in Patrick’s case also for his former partner/lover/boyfriend who died in a car accident and for whom Patrick has never really properly grieved over.Although this sounds like a dark subject it is in fact written with humour wit and enormous empathy. It is an exploration of connections and family both natural and found. Steven writes in such a way as to make you experience the joys and the heartaches that Patrick, Maisie and Grant (the young niece and nephew) as deeply as they do.With a cast of brilliantly depicted supporting characters including Greg and Clara, his widower brother and his sister, JED the gay throuple who live in the property behind, Cassie his prospective agent, Emory who may or may not prove to be a new love interest and Rosa his housekeeper who fill out and give depth to Patrick, Maisie and Grant’s story this is one story that will remain with me and that I know I will come back to reread.

4.5 stars rounded up. A touchingly bittersweet novel, mainly about the aftereffects of grief and how you can either lose yourself completely and forever wallow in the mire, or on the flip side, allow yourself enough time to grieve [which obviously varies from person to person] and surround yourself with people that can help you get stronger by the day. [nb.. kudos for the Wang Chung mentions, loved them].I fell hard for GUP [gay Uncle Patrick], for Grantelope and for Maisie [who hated skirts] 😍😍😍. The Guncle Abroad will be read tout de suite when the kindle edition is published...I must discover whether everyone survives the next five years.

Simple and funny

It’s a very sweet book, which needed to be either a bit less so or a lot shorter. I don’t regret the hours I’ve spent on it, but I don’t recommend that anyone else should.

A book with no substance, very frivolous and inconsequential. I had seen great reviews, but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations. Was a Did Not Finish for me.

Loved this book. ...gorgeous, thoughtful, funny, touching, warm, witty......I would recommend this to EVERYONE.....and it's going to be on TV....perfect

This was almost a DNF but I persevered and was glad to because it did improve towards the end. However it was frustrating, Patrick was unlikable, there was a single running joke about the children not knowing completely random stuff about showbiz, initially amusing but soon grew old. It did deal with grief well though and the kids are funny, and Patrick showed some character growth.