I knew this one would have an element of sadness, but I went into it thinking the main characters would be safe since our leading man has already suffered a deep loss. You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, What is your favorite book? Gabrielle Zevin, The Storied Life of A.J. If you haven’t read the book, and don’t want to be spoiled, stop reading now! I typically hate to give spoilers, but since this is a much older book, and I can’t think of how to review it without spoilers, I’ll be including hints to major spoilers, without coming out and saying what it is specifically. I was getting major Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society vibes, a novel I rave about often… until the ending didn’t go the direction I wanted it to go.Īnd I apologize in advance for this meandering review. I adored the writing-sharp wit wrapped in a blunt delivery. I read this charming novel in one day, almost one sitting. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin on my tbr for years and when I was invited to read the book to promote the film adaptation, I jumped at the chance. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.’s world or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn’t see coming. It doesn’t take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It’s that unexpected arrival that gives A. It’s a small package, but large in weight. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.Īnd then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who’s always felt kindly toward Fikry from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.’s bad attitude. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.Ī. On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto “No Man Is an Island Every Book Is a World.” A.

The storied life of a