Read Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry if you need a hug. Set on a fictional New England island, the contemporary novel follows independent bookstore owner A.J. Fikry as he navigates grief, friendship, and love. If you’re considering picking it up, I beg you to only read the synopsis on the back of the book. Skip the in-depth reviews (besides mine, which is entirely free of spoilers!) and Goodreads synopsis because a major element of the book is better kept a secret until you discover it amongst the pages. In fact, in my best attempt to give you a great reading experience, I will be completely omitting a crucial facet of the plot in my review! Read on to safely learn why The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is easily a 5-star book.
“Methinks I have grown soft in my middle age. But me-also-thinks my latter-day reaction speaks to the necessity of encountering stories at precisely the right time in our lives.”
Humor is the star of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. I smiled from the very first chapter, and laughed out loud reading several scenes. Most of the comedic moments occur in characters’ inner thoughts, when they are their most honest and vulnerable versions. The book contains several heartbreaking moments, but Zevin lightens them with a matter-of-fact tone and refreshing humor.
Comedic elements don’t retract from the impact of the serious scenes, and Zevin excellently conveys emotions and feelings through subtle actions, trusting the reader to pick up on her intended tones. The novel often jumps forward in time, sometimes by years, and she has faith that you’ll notice her quick clues regarding character updates – fully respecting the reader’s intellect. Matching the fast plot pacing, Zevin doesn’t waste your time with her writing. She slips in character descriptions and doesn’t formally introduce unnecessary characters – often referring to them in such ways as “The boss,” or “A.J.’s mother.” As a result, you won’t waste your energy remembering characters who make few appearances. Overall, the writing will cause you to laugh and potentially cry, as you follow several characters through the years.
“He is a reader, and what he believes in is narrative construction. If a gun appears in act one, that gun had better go off by act three.”
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is set on the cozy, quaint, and entirely fictional Alice Island – placed near Boston, Massachusetts. At its core, it’s a novel celebrating independent bookstores, books, and readers. Hints of the plot are given at the start of each section with notes written by the title character, A.J. Fikry. At just over 250 pages, the novel moves quickly yet skillfully – readers linger just long enough in each phase of the characters’ lives before moving ahead by months or years. Despite its short length, it has a tender and heartbreaking plot.
An interesting device utilized by Zevin is dramatic irony. The reader witnesses several shocking admissions, but many characters never discover the truth. Despite the title of the book, the focus isn’t solely on A.J., but also includes his closest friends and family. In a nod to one of the major themes, the story follows several community members brought together by books. It’s a tender, fast-moving novel set on a charming fictional island, featuring an exploration of intertwining lives, heartbreaks, and connection.
“You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, What is your favorite book?”
If you’re searching for a story with middle-aged characters, I nominate The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry for your consideration. A.J., at the start of the novel, is in his late 30s, with a snobby and cynical personality. He’s slowly drinking himself into oblivion after the death of his pregnant wife (I promise that’s not a spoiler) leaves him the sole owner of Island Books, and his hurt traps him in loneliness. His heart slowly reopens as the story progresses, and the reader discovers his more positive qualities – like his deep devotion to the people closest to him. Those already in his life (his kind yet deeply unhappy sister-in-law, Ismay, and her unfaithful author husband, Daniel Parish) and the characters who enter his small world throughout the novel (a gentle and empathetic police officer, Lambiase, and a quirky and colorful book agent, Amelia Loman) break down his defensive walls and encompass him with love. Overall, the novel is a portrait of middle-aged characters gradually opening their hearts, connecting, and renewing their purpose.
“’Why are you crying?’ ‘I was reading.”’
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry highlights the power and importance of community, and the ability of books to connect people. A.J., embracing the fact that he lives on an island a little too much, attempts to isolate himself after he loses his wife, but he learns that he can’t be alone for the rest of his life. He conveys meaning through books and heals from his trauma. It takes time for love to reveal itself to him, but it is ultimately worth the wait. The novel is a reminder that grief doesn’t last forever – when you’re ready for it, love will reappear to heal you.
“I want you to be mine. I can promise you books and conversation and all my heart…”
The heart and emotional punch of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is ultimately the reason it has become one of my favorite books. I recommend going in blind to the plot so it’ll have the best impact. Inside, you’ll discover laugh-out-loud humor, a heartwarming storyline, relatable characters, and a reminder of the importance of community. Give it a shot when you’re feeling sad or lonely – you won’t regret it.
You might like The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry if you enjoy:
- Stories about books and bookstores
- Character-driven fiction
- Heartfelt, uplifting stories
- Found-family themes
- Gentle, emotional novels with quirky characters
Buy a copy of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry at the following links:
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