The Lonely Hearts Book Club

Lucy Gilmore’s 2023 novel The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a work of contemporary literary fiction. The novel’s publication coincides with the publication of parallel works of literature exploring the power of books and reading that examine the ways in which literature can connect and heal unlikely characters. Gilmore’s self-declared love of reading and previous “Up Lit” (uplifting literature) publications provide authentic avenues into her chosen subject matter and genre.

In The Lonely Hearts Book Club, small-town librarian Sloane Parker has been trapped by her loneliness and grief ever since her sister, Emily Parker, died years prior. Her parents live nearby, she’s engaged to Brett Marcowitz, and she’s friendly with her coworkers. However, Sloane doesn’t re-engage with her life until she meets a persnickety, elderly library patron named Arthur McLachlan. Arthur ridicules and insults Sloane whenever he visits on her shifts. However, over time, the two develop an inarticulable connection. They soon establish a book club out of Arthur’s house, which grows to incorporate Arthur’s neighbor Maisey Phillips, Sloane’s coworker Mateo Sharpe, and Arthur’s grandson Greg McLachlan. Together, the characters discover The Healing and Transformative Power of Literature, The Dynamics of Unlikely Friendships, and The Importance of Community Support. When new conflicts and life changes threaten the book club’s sustainability, the friends must fight for what they believe in and use their literary understandings to communicate effectively.

This guide refers to the 2023 Sourcebooks Casablanca paperback edition of the novel.

Plot Summary

Sloane Parker lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and works at the local public library. Her parents live close by, and she’s engaged to a likable chiropractor named Brett Marcowitz. However, Sloane spends most of her time at the library or alone. When she isn’t working, she’s most often reading. Her sister, Emily Parker, died years prior, and she hasn’t had a real friend since.

One day, an elderly patron named Arthur McLachlan starts visiting the library on Sloane’s shifts. Sloane has heard her coworker Mateo Sharpe complain about Arthur’s bad attitude and soon discovers that Arthur is as mean as Mateo said. Over time however, Sloane grows accustomed to Arthur’s presence, and the two start to enjoy one another’s company.

Sloane panics when she realizes that Arthur hasn’t been to the library in almost a week. She breaks library policy and procures Arthur’s information using the library system. She then travels to Arthur’s house to see if he is okay. Outside, she meets Arthur’s neighbor, Maisey Phillips. Maisey explains that Arthur has just gotten out of the hospital and needs all the support he can get.

Together, Sloane and Maisey start taking care of Arthur. The women then decide to form a book club with Arthur. They begin by reading and discussing The Remains of the Day. Maisey is particularly moved by the book and cries while sharing her insights into it.

Mateo, Sloane’s coworker, and Arthur’s estranged grandson, Greg McLachlan, also join the group, which the women have named the Racing in the Rain Book Club. Like Maisey, neither Mateo nor Greg is as bookish as Sloane and Arthur. However, they readily engage with the group because Greg wants to make amends with Arthur, and Mateo wants to support Sloane.

Meanwhile, Sloane continues to plan for her wedding. She invites Arthur to a party with Brett and his family. During the party, one of Brett’s sisters reveals that Sloane plans to relocate to the East Coast with Brett. Arthur is so upset, he nearly collapses. He begs Sloane for a ride home. In the car, they discuss Sloane’s future.

Arthur calls upon his old rival, Nigel Carthage, for help. Arthur and Nigel have been enemies since Nigel tried to steal Arthur’s wife Eugenia Pittsfield from him. In the narrative present, Nigel wants to make amends. Arthur opens up to Nigel and reveals his fears of losing Sloane. Nigel suggests that he communicate his feelings for Sloane the way he communicated his feelings for Eugenia years prior. Arthur agrees.

The men invite the rest of the book club to join in their project. Because they all love Sloane, they all agree to help Arthur convince her to stay in Coeur d’Alene. They buy a copy of her and Arthur’s favorite book, Anne of Green Gables, then they each highlight passages that convey their love for Sloane. The friends talk while they work. During their conversation, Arthur learns that Nigel is dying. He collapses from shock.

Sloane learns that Arthur is back in the hospital while she and Brett are researching new apartments. Brett insists that Arthur is fine, but Sloane refuses to abandon him. Brett drives her to the hospital. Outside, Sloane admits that she doesn’t love Brett and can’t marry him.

Inside, Sloane finds the book club gathered around Arthur’s bed. The friends express their feelings for one another, and they give Sloane the Anne of Green Gables gift. Sloane is moved by the book, realizing how happy she is for her new community.