Fiction
2014 Algonquin Books
Finished on February 3, 2022
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. 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. 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. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.
And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It’s a small package, but large in weight. It’s that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn’t take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; 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. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love.
This was my second reading of Gabrielle Zevin's delightful novel, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. My book group is discussing it later this month and I decided to reread it in order to refresh my memory of the details. It's amazing how much I'd forgotten! Unfortunately, it wasn't quite as great as the first time I read it. I thought my disappointment was due to the fact that I'm no longer working in a bookstore and all the nods to bookselling and publishing might be less meaningful, but I love books about books, especially when the author includes conversations about specific titles that I've read and loved. I think the real reason I wasn't as crazy about the book as I was in 2015 is because I just finished reading Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet, which is a very lyrical and lush novel. Zevin's book is an endearing story, which I enjoyed, but it felt somewhat simplistic in comparison to O'Farrell's. It will be interesting to hear what others in my book group have to say about the writing. There may not be a lot to discuss.
Click here to read my previous review, which includes a couple of favorite passages.
I loved The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry! I'm sorry you didn't love it as much as the first time you read it!
ReplyDeleteVicki, some books are great when read a second time, but you just never know. I did enjoy this book, but it was as wonderful as the first time around.
DeleteI remember really enjoying this one. It was so different from my normal reads.
ReplyDeleteDiane, it's a much lighter read than what I typically read, too.
DeleteIt sounds very different from my usual reads.
ReplyDeleteMystica, it reminds me a little bit of Fredrik Backman's books.
DeleteI haven't read a ton of books set in bookshops, but the ones I've read I really enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteHelen, this is somewhat of a light read, but not completely so. It's definitely worthwhile and pretty quick.
DeleteI had this on my list for so long, then sort of forgot about it. Now, I need a copy and a commitment to actually read it!
ReplyDeleteJen, it can easily be read in a couple of days.
DeleteI read this novel around 2015 and I thought it started out strong & fun but then later I found it becomes pretty sentimental or sweet and I thought it would delve more into books and the bookstore than it actually does, darn. While I liked the novel, I didnt end up overly loving it. But I would read the author again (though so far I havent).
ReplyDeleteSusan, it is a bit sentimental. I'm eager to find out what the members in my book group think. I've only read one other by Zevin (Young Jane Young), which was very good on audio. I'm getting Elsewhere (a YA novel by Zevin) today at the library and will keep you posted. It's supposed to be very good.
DeleteI enjoyed this and will likely read it again. But now you have me wanting to read Hamnet!
ReplyDeleteLaurel, it was good the second time around, but now I'm looking forward to reading one of her YA books (Elsewhere), which I'm picking up today at the library. Stay tuned!
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