When his aunt dies, twenty-three year old Tyler inherits her house in rural Connecticut. He also inherits her gun collection and the responsibility of taking care of her six cats. Working as a Hollywood propmaster, Tyler is used to creating fake realities for movies but he’s not prepared for the demands of being a real-life adult. He hire Lou as his assistantāa crusty Vietnam vet who prefers guns over pussycatsāand starts to get the place in order. But when Tyler meets local boy Abe and falls for him, life suddenly gets complicated. As he wrestles with questions about love, duty, and what it means to be a man,Tyler discovers that home isn’t just where you hang your hat; it’s where your heart is too.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and wants to read about someone going through the same struggles that they may be experiencing. It is also a great read for those who are interested in learning more about the LGBTQ+ community.
Pros :
- The Guncle is a beautifully written and deeply moving story of love, loss, and self-discovery.
- Rowley’s characters are richly drawn and the reader can’t help but fall in love with them.
- The novel tackles difficult subjects such as grief, homophobia, and masculinity with sensitivity and grace.
Cons :
- The prose can be a bit stale in sections
- The plot is somewhat predictable
- It’s not the most exciting book to read
Learn more about the author
Steven Rowley is the author of the novel Lily and the Octopus. He has been published in The New York Times, LitHub, Salon, and elsewhere. A graduate of the writing program at Columbia University, he currently lives in Los Angeles.
Reader Reviews
“Tyler is lovable and relatable, even when he’s making mistakes. His interactions with Lou are some of the best parts of the novel.”
“A sweet and endearing story about finding your place in the world.”
“The characters feel so real I wanted to call them up and see how they were doing.”
“The Guncle is a beautiful story about love and home. Tyler must come to terms with his past, present and future in order to find happiness. This is a powerful novel that I highly recommend.”
