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44 pages 1 hour read

The Guncle

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Steven Rowley

The Guncle

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Palm Springs, California • Contemporary

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Steven Rowley's The Guncle, former sitcom star Patrick O’Hara takes in his niece Maisie and nephew Grant after their mother dies and their father enters rehab. Set in Palm Springs, the trio navigates grief and healing through humor and heartwarming connections, with Patrick stepping up as their caregiver and finding a new purpose in life.

Heartwarming

Humorous

Bittersweet

Emotional

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.3

176,471 ratings

81%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Guncle by Steven Rowley is praised for its humor, warmth, and heartfelt portrayal of grief, as an ex-sitcom star becomes guardian to his niece and nephew. Readers appreciate the blend of witty dialogues and emotional depth. However, some find the plot predictable and the handling of serious themes occasionally superficial. Overall, it is a charming, feel-good read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Guncle?

Fans of heartfelt, humorous, and touching stories will cherish Steven Rowley’s The Guncle. Readers who enjoyed the wit and warmth of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove or the endearing family dynamics in Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette will find this novel equally captivating.

4.3

176,471 ratings

81%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

Patrick O’Hara

A 43-year-old former sitcom star living in isolation in the Palm Springs desert, who navigates grief and reemerges to engage with the world and industry, sparked by a summer spent with his niece and nephew.

A nine-year-old girl who grapples with her mother's death with a fierce and resilient spirit, forming a deep bond with her uncle while exploring new digital territories.

A six-year-old boy who experiences each day as an adventure, preferring immediate joys like the pool and dinosaurs to dwelling on long-term sadness.

Patrick's brother and the father of Maisie and Grant, who sends them to live with Patrick for the summer while he goes to rehab, sharing unresolved tensions with Patrick.

Patrick's older sister, who values structure and stability but struggles to see beyond conventional norms to accommodate her grieving niece and nephew's needs.

Three men in a loving, stable, long-term relationship who live near Patrick, offering him a different perspective on family and companionship.

An ambitious assistant who becomes Patrick’s agent, helping him find new professional opportunities through her insightful understanding of his career potential.

A young actor with an interest in Patrick, who offers a fresh perspective on Patrick's seclusion and encourages him to face his past with renewed hope.

Patrick’s close friend and sister-in-law, whose adventurous spirit and enduring presence influence the narrative, fostering Patrick's bond with her children.

Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Palm Springs, California • Contemporary

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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