The Guncle by Steven Rowley (Author, Narrator),
A National Bestseller An NPR Book of the Year Finalist for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer. 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, overwhelmed. 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 acting 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. Read more
Patrick is 43. He's retired/hiding out in Palm Springs after the end of a TV series that made him rich and famous. When his sister-in-law, Sara, dies of cancer, he attends the funeral in Connecticut, where his brother, Greg, a lawyer, admits he dealt with Sara's decline by taking drugs. He's going to rehab in the desert, a place near Patrick's house, and asks that he take their two children back to PS to live with him for three months. Patrick is beyond flummoxed. No way. He's a gay bachelor with a kid-unfriendly house and life. He's a recluse. He's terrified of attachment. The love of his life was killed in a car accident, with Patrick in the passenger seat. And Patrick's grieving Sara. He knew her first. Twenty years ago, they were roommates in NYC. Best friends. Soulmates. So he doesn't have anyplace in his life for two grieving little kids. He's messed up enough himself. But because Patrick is a good man, he does. The scene of the flight home with Maisie, 9, and Grant, 6, is worth the price of the book. But there's more. For the next 90 days, Patrick and the kids struggle forward together, growing closer, getting better. Because Patrick needs to finally move beyond his double load of bereavement and get back to living. I loved this story so much, I'm reading it again. Patrick is so funny! He's beyond witty, never talks down to the kids (in fact, the humor comes from him talking to them as adults and their childlike reactions). The author knows kids. Maisie and Grant are so realistic, I felt like I was reading about my own grands. There are rich, deep, moving passages (like when Patrick tries to tell his self-centered, self-pitying, but nuanced sister how gay people deal with assimilation). There are so many really funny scenes with the kids as Patrick creates his own version of a dad. And he's so good. What a hero. This book is great. Highly recommended.
Download Books The Guncle Full Access
(Read Online Books) The Guncle
*Download P.D.F The Guncle /a>
*(D.o.w.n.l.o.a.d) E.P.U.B The Guncle Books Full Page
(Skaffa nya bocker) The Guncle
Comments
Post a Comment