Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.
So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.
With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.
My Rating - 4.5 Stars!
The Guncle is a wonderful book by Steven Rowley. It's an impressive mix of comedy and seriousness.
There's a lot going on in this story. Patrick is charming, funny, and full of heart. He's also hiding away from the world and grieving.
I absolutely adore the way Patrick reluctantly stops everything to help with his niece and nephew. The relationship he has with the kids is amazing, and I love his sacrifices. I mean, seriously, they call him GUP, aka Gay Uncle Patrick. That alone helps you understand the tone of this story. And dear lord, I love those kids. They are so damn funny with their comments and questions. Be prepared to laugh a lot.
Patrick's career is another issue in this book. He hasn't been acting in a while, but he can't get away from it. He's purposely given up his career, but they keep on knocking on his door. Literally.
The book definitely has some extremely serious aspects, such as grief, the loss of a parent, and addiction. But, most of it's addressed in a heart felt manner, with plenty of humor surrounding everything, helping to keep things more of a medium/light.
Honestly, Patrick's grief is heavy at times and definitely had me wanting to cry. As well, I appreciate the way anger is addressed. And, omg the way Patrick talks to the kids about it is impressive. He is wonderful with them, as they are all grieving their mom/his friend in different ways.
And damn, this is a summer that is helpful for everyone involved.
My favorite quotes are
"I want you to really live. To live is the rarest of things. Most people merely exist."
"Pain doesn't lift until you feel it."
"but sometimes life is more fun with someone else." So damn true!
Basically, Patrick is a spectacular character and his journey is fun, charming, heart felt, and full of healing! I love the way he thinks, as well as the innuendoes and banter.
The writing is wonderful, written with heart and humor. The pace and flow is perfect throughout this enjoyable read. It's a memorable journey of hope and second chances. And the secondary characters are ever adding to the adventure. It isn't just the kids who are awesome; there are plenty of characters to keep you entertained.
The Guncle is a brilliant tale. Steven Rowley definitely entertains throughout this journey of healing, family, and life.
