The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Mon, 03/27/2017 - 4:40pm -- BHanley

Don’t let the unusual title fool you. This is the warm, humorous, and transformational story of Mr. Fikry, an island bookstore owner who has lost his reason for being. You’ll initially get to know him as a middle-aged curmudgeon. His wife died, his store is not doing well, and he rages against people and any books that he dislikes. Various people, including, but not limited to, the police chief, a publishing company’s sales rep and an abandoned baby who is left in his store, gradually help him to move out of his apathy. The characters are well developed and varied. Each chapter of the book is preceded by one of Fikry’s book recommendations – readings that you just might want to explore! There is also an interesting Rhode Island connection included within this tale. Fikry’s evolution can be summarized in a quote from the front book flap, “We are not quite novels. We are not quite short stories. In the end, we are collected works.”

Blog Category: 
chat loading...