Book Review: A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
I enjoyed Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry so much that I recommended it not only for Great New Books, but for my neighborhood book club as well. In that book club we are passionate readers of all different ages and backgrounds, and we rarely unanimously like a book. A.J. Fikry passed that rare test. And we are not alone.
The novel has been a New York Times bestseller, a #1 Indie Next Pick, and the #1 Library Reads Selection.
Why did we all like this one much? If I had to pick one reason I’d say it’s because Zevin managed to accomplish so much story and character development into less than 300 pages. Too often I read a book that is over 400 pages, and I end up saying to myself, This book could have been 100 pages shorter. Gabrielle Zevin took her inherent knowledge of pacing from her successful young adult novels and applied them to this adult story.
In The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, we get the perfect setting for anyone who loves bookstores, the imagined Island Books on Alice Island somewhere in the Northeast. We get some quirky small town characters that reminded me of the cast of Gilmore Girls, and we get a taste of love, friendship, the meaning of family, suspense, betrayal, crime, death, and plenty of literary references. We also get the most unlikely hero in A.J., who owns Island Books and begins the story as the snobbish curmudgeon that most readers (at least in my book club) detest on the spot, but grow to love. In the first chapter, A.J. tells a sales rep coming to show him the new catalogue from her publishing company the kind of books he will not read or order for his store:
“I do not like postmodernism, postapocalyptic settings, postmortem narrators, or magic realism. I rarely respond to supposedly clever formal devices, multiple fonts, pictures where they shouldn’t be — basically gimmicks of any kind. . . I do not like genre mash-ups à la the literary detective novel or the literary fantasy. Literary should be literary, and genre should be genre, and crossbreeding rarely results in anything satisfying. I do not like children’s books, especially ones with orphans, and I prefer not to clutter my shelves with young adult. I do not like anything over four hundred pages or under one hundred fifty pages. I am repulsed by ghostwritten novels by reality television stars, celebrity picture books, sports memoirs, movie tie-in editions, novelty items, and — I imagine this goes without saying — vampires.”
You can imagine how he feels about ereaders.
A.J., not quite 40 when the book opens, has good reason to be so mean and unhappy. His wife has recently died, his store is failing, and his only friend is his former brother-in-law. Then early in the novel someone steals his most valuable rare book and someone leaves a priceless “package” in his store. A.J.’s life circumstances immediately change and his personality slowly changes as well. While the book starts out with a negative tone, the overall story is uplifting and entertaining.
I can’t tell you anything else more specific without ruining the plot points of this refreshingly short but packed novel. Just trust me and trust my book club, it’s a worthwhile read.
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24 Responses
Thanks for the book recommendation. My book club is looking for new finds.
I adore Pink. I saw her last year in concert and she delivers an unforgettable performance. I will definitely check out the song you featured.
Ello? Not a clue, so you will definitely have to fill me in.
Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri recently posted..The Most Important Tool in Your Life
It’s a GREAT book club book! You can skip Ello so far for sure!
I’m VERY cautiously curious about Ello, but if there’s anyone’s assessment on it I’d trust, it’s yours (you’ve always steered us right with twitter).
But so far I’m just wondering if I need more of that in my life, when what I think I need more of is just…life.
Natalia Sylvester recently posted..The Masculine & the Feminine & the Power of our Words
So far, I’m not into at all. You?
Conrgats on your article in Edina Magazine! Nice photo too. 🙂
I’ve not heard of Ello before. Another social media platform? I’m not sure I have the patience to figure it all out.
Jackie Cangro recently posted..The One With Rain on the Parade
You skip Ello. It’s not much to see. And thank you re: Edina Mag!
I literally cried watching that video too – even more the second time. As usual after reading your Friday finds, I have a bunch of tabs open to check out – thank you! Have an easy fast, Nina.
Dana recently posted..On being neighborly and naked
I love to hear that (about the tabs!) Thank you! I might have to watch that video again. I’m surprised they were so negative on the kugel! But when you think about it . . . it is kind of icky.
Congrats on being on the pages of Edina Magazine! Very cool and so deserved! I’m currently refusing to join Ello.
tracy recently posted..The Jan Brady Syndrome
Thank you! And so far there is nothing happening there so you’re not missing a thing.
I need some comedic relief/distraction this AM so I am about to head over to that video–thanks! But I think I’m going to sit out (at least for now) on the Ello. I think my husband might leave if I am pulled in by yet another social media platform!! (Report back if I’m missing out–I can always play the “but I’m not on Pinterest” card with him haha!)
Kristen recently posted..What I Care About: Then vs. Now
Ello seems very beyond me. So far, I would not bother.
Wow… I haven’t listened to Pink in a long time, so I’m surprised that’s her. It’s such a beautiful, melodic song! Loved your book review, too. Of to look at your magazine article online. Congrats, Nina! Lots of fun stuff for our “Friday Finds.”
Melissa Crytzer Fry recently posted..Lucking Out
So glad I got to be the one to introduce you to it! Benefit of having to sit through Happy Feet Two a dozen times. 😉
Glad you enjoyed TSLoAJF as much as I did, Nina – it’s a wonderful little book-lover’s novel.
Cynthia Robertson recently posted..The Paying Guests – a review
Yes! I think you have to get through the first “downer” pages and then it’s gold.
I had the same reaction to Ello. I don’t get it but, then again, maybe I’m not their target audience.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and an easy fast.
Mo at Mocadeaux recently posted..Road Trip!
Really really don’t get it.
Congrats on the Edina mag article! My parents get it — I’ll have to check it out! I’m excited for the HSP class, too, and glad to be helping out. And now I’m going to check out Ello…. because I need more social media :-p
Sarah @ LeftBrainBuddha recently posted..Mindful Mantras for Teachers
Have not done a thing a Ello. I still don’t get it.
Congratulations on the article! Also, thank you for saying the falling asleep thing about certain blog classes. There are times when I think we try to put a little too much science into writing, then again, I’ve never hit it big, so maybe I need more science 😉
Also, Ello, I’m in, but in name only really.
Amanda recently posted..Quiet Your Doubt
Ha! Well, same for me. Not a viral type. Maybe that’s good when I say it that way. 😉
I love Pink’s music, but I hadn’t heard “Bridge of Light” yet. It’s so beautiful! Thanks for sharing that one — truly a find for me.
Annie Neugebauer recently posted..It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
yay! Glad to be the one to find it for you. I had just heard it recently for the first time too while my kids were watching Happy Feed Two.