The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
A Novel
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4.3 • 881 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
“Marvelously optimistic about the future of books and bookstores and the people who love both.”—The Washington Post
A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, its unexpected arrival gives Fikry the chance to make his life over--and see everything anew.
“This novel has humor, romance, a touch of suspense, but most of all love--love of books and bookish people and, really, all of humanity in its imperfect glory.” —Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow Child
“You won’t want it to end.” —Family Circle
“A natural for book groups.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch
“A reader’s paradise of the first order.” —The Buffalo News
“A fun, page-turning delight.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Captures the joy of connecting people and books . . . Irresistible.” —Booklist
“A wonderful, moving, endearing story of redemption and transformation that will sing in your heart for a very, very long time.” —Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain
“Readers who delighted in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Letters from Skye will be equally captivated by this novel.” —*Library Journal, starred review
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A crotchety bookstore owner on a windblown island off the Massachusetts coast plans to drink himself to oblivion after losing his wife, but a shocking delivery alters his life forever. Author Gabrielle Zevin has concocted a marvelous love letter to reading—and a supremely fun and moving story about connection and community that will appeal to fans of The Rosie Project and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Drawn in bright colors and hilarious detail, Zevin’s characters are perfect company.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bookstore owner A.J. Fikry is a bitter curmudgeon, but, as we soon learn, his sour attitude masks deep sadness and loneliness about the death of his wife. The mysterious arrival of a baby girl in A.J.'s shop with a note asking him to care for her brings about events that open his heart to love, hope, and life. Brick's empathetic narration captures A.J. perfectly in all his cantankerous and tender moods, and particularly when he rhapsodizes over books, in which he finds not only comfort and enjoyment, but a lens through which to interpret life. Brick voices A.J. in a way that sounds entirely natural for example, when A.J. is trying to work something out, Brick speaks slowly, as though searching for the right words to express his thoughts, and then sounds startled and triumphant as A.J. has a realization. His warm, compassionate, thoughtful reading will draw listeners in throughout this gentle, sweetly satisfying tale. An Algonquin hardcover.
Customer Reviews
Good book but irritating lapses in time.
I really enjoyed reading this book and for the most part, I would recommend it to other readers. However, I feel that by the author skipping years at a time in between chapters, the storyline is hard to follow at times. I feel like if the author would have gone the route of telling the whole story with even the small details in more of a chronological order, then it could have made a great series rather than just one book about the topic.
What a Beautiful Book...
I cannot recommend this book highly enough - there is something very special about this book, as it describes a way of life, and love and books, in only the way someone who has lived it, pulls back the veil and asks you to come on in - it is a mood of the moment, which meets you half way, and walks you across the threshold as you are invited in the slice of life through the intersection of so many, who laugh, and cry, and hold, and turn away and rekindle those special moments and people, all at just the right time, as well as just the wrong time - you must get this book, and curl into your favorite reading corner, with a Do Not Disturb sign, as you savor each page, and each passage....there is just something very special about this book, and I know I will come back to passages again and again....thank you....
Wishing for a little more anticipation
Easy and quick read. I was hoping to fall deeper into the characters and await with anticipation as stories unfold. However, the reader doesn’t have to use any imagination or wonder as things are always laid out in advance for the reader.