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One of:
Oprah Daily's Best Beach Reads to Help You Escape
Washington Post’s Feel-Good Books to Brighten Your Summer
E! News's 18 Best Books to Check Out in May
USA Today’s 5 Books Not To Miss
LAMBDA Literary's Most Anticipated LGBTQ Literature of May
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 humour 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.
Author: Steven Rowley
Paperback Published 1 April 2022 336 pages
Originally published in hardcover 1 June 2021
"Wise and hilarious." –People
"A laugh-out-loud heartwarmer." –Oprah Daily
“Rowley’s depth and humor will warm even the most jaded hearts.” –Washington Post
“The author of Lily and The Octopus and The Editor delivers arguably his funniest and most poignant novel yet.” –E! News
“[A] brilliant tale of loss and love.” –GMA.com
“[A] heartwarming, hilarious tale of family ties that even the deepest grief can’t shake.” –Southern Living