The Guncle (Unabridged)
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- 165,00 kr
Publisher Description
Winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor
National Bestseller • Wall Street Journal Bestseller • USA Today 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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
This tale of a flighty uncle reluctantly becoming a responsible parental figure is a feel-good gem. Patrick is a pretty good GUP (affectionately short for Gay Uncle Patrick) to nine-year-old Maisie and six-year-old Grant during their few yearly visits. But after their mother, Sara, tragically dies, their dad succumbs to addiction, leaving the kids in the temporary care of—you guessed it—their very uncertain GUP. Watching Patrick struggle to become a little less self-involved and a tad more caring and protective is every bit as achingly sweet as you’d imagine. It’s also hysterically funny, especially early on. Even at his most unenthused and ill prepared, Patrick is a character we’re always rooting for, and author Steven Rowley’s narration is delightfully droll. This is the kind of heartwarming listen you can safely play from a speaker when family’s around.