The Guncle

The Guncle is getting a lot of hype and is a heartwarming story about self-discovery and complicated family dynamics, with a touch of humour and a strong focus on the sensitive issue of grieving.

GUP (aka Gay Uncle Patrick) is a former TV star who takes on his nine-year-old niece and six-year-old nephew for three months shortly after their mother (his sister-in-law and best friend) dies and their father undergoes treatment for addiction. Much of the humour relies on gay stereotypes and the 'fish out of water' vibe for this single man who has extremely limited experience with kids.

This is a very simple story with many pop culture references and a bit of a vague plot that shows how this family bonds over a tragedy that has touched all of their lives. We get more of a superficial glimpse of the issue of grief, but this is a sweet read that will hit many readers in the feels.

I enjoyed this read but didn't quite love it as much as other readers. It is an entertaining read with a good story that was told with compassion and humour as readers witness the characters navigating unresolved traumas and devastating loss. Word on the street is that this book has been optioned by Lionsgate Films and I think it would make a cute movie.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Steven Rowley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQIA+

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Pages: 336

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

First Published: May 25, 2021

Opening Line: All right, here goes nothing.

Book Description from GoodReads: 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 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.