ICYMI: This is a heartwarming book from the author of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow about books, second chances, and finding hope when all seems lost.
When I reviewed Gabrielle Zevin's recent novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, I was reminded that ages ago I loved her (very different) book The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, and that I hadn't yet posted a review on Bossy Bookworm.
A.J. Fikry is the grumpy owner of Island Books, on Alice Island. His wife has died, his sales are down, his favorite collection of poems has been stolen, and he's drawing more and more deeply into an isolated existence--despite the best efforts of a few select people in his orbit who are determined to bridge the gap and reach him. Even books hold no joy for him anymore.
Then a mysterious package arrives at the shop, and A.J. Fikry is suddenly...changed.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is about second chances--and finding hope again.
I loved Zevin's characters, dialogue, and the bookish focus here. So much so that I repeatedly annoyed friends at the beach when I was reading this by cackling and reading aloud passages.
This was a fast read and a lovely story.
Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book?
Gabrielle Zevin is also the author of The Hole We're In, Margarettown, Elsewhere, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, the Anya Balanchine series, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, a book I loved and gave five Bossy stars.