Patrick is a TV star, winner of a Golden Globe, self-professed connoisseur of classic films, master of a turn of phrase, and now he is also a GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick), in Steven Rowley’s latest, The Guncle.
Upon hearing the news of his sister-in-law/best friend’s passing, Patrick rushes from sunny Palm Springs, California to Connecticut to be at his brother’s side. That’s when Greg, his brother, spills all the tea: to deal with the mounting stress from work, raising two children, and his wife’s illness, he’s developed an addiction to prescription pills. However, he’s doing the right thing and checking himself into a rehab center near Palm Springs. Wanting his kids as close to him as possible, Greg asks Patrick to take them in for the nine weeks in which he will be in rehab.
Patrick is reluctant at first. Reclusive after the loss of his life partner, Joe, four years ago, Patrick has cut off all ties with civilization. Well, mostly. He still keeps in close contact with his housekeeper, Rosa, and his throuple neighbors JED — a monicker composed of the first letter of their names: John, Eduardo, and Dwayne. Patrick has cut himself off from the world and lives his life from the comfort of his desert mansion, avoiding having any collusion with real life.
Although the idea of being responsible for his nine-year-old niece, Maisie, and six-year-old nephew, Grant, staggers him, having had literally no previous experience with children, Patrick refuses to pass them on to his sister, Clara — an angry feminist who judges Patrick not just for his gender but for always wanting to be the center of attention — when she suggests she’s better prepared to look after the kids, having already helped raise her stepchildren.
Patrick, Maisie, and Grant embark on the strangest summer of their lives, filled with seemingly innocent but profound questions — “Who invented swear words? Why do we have two eyes but see only one thing?” — a Christmas party in the middle of July, meals where cotton candy is the first course, all interspersed with the wisdom only a Guncle can give in the form of impromptu, numbered rules.
Patrick held his phone out to Maisie. “Here. Record me. I’ll show you how it’s done.” Maisie started to protest, but Patrick wouldn’t hear of it. “Tsk tsk tsk.”
Maisie reluctantly accepted her uncle’s phone and held it up to record him.
“Higher,” Patrick said.
“What?”
“Higher. Stand up.”
Maisie stood.
“Higher!” Patrick leaned forward and coaxed Maisie’s arms in the air. “Honestly, it’s like you want me to have four chins. Guncle Rule–What number are we on? Know your angles. Everyone has a good side. Even children, who should be photographable from all sides but aren’t.”
— excerpt from Steven Rowley’s The Guncle
Beyond the quirky occurrences, The Guncle is a story that deftly balances humor with deep sentimentality. Perfectly folded into the lines of Rowley’s narrative is some of the wittiest banter mixed in with some of life’s most philosophical lessons. As Patrick maneuvers tantrums, bedtime insecurities, and tooth fairy mishaps, for the first time ever, he also explores the meaning of grief by teaching the children how to live in the moment and that, in spite of the intensity of the pain of losing someone, life goes on and one must keep finding ways to give life meaning. As he explores these themes with the aim of helping the kids cope with grief, Patrick himself reflects on his own life, learning a thing or two from his own advice about moving on after the loss of a loved one.
Patrick talks to the children as adults but is also really a child himself — not in an immature way, but in ways that allow him to marvel and feel curiosity for life which allow him to connect with his kid “niblings” — the nickname he makes up for his niece and nephew. As someone who’s seen the harsher side of life, living as an openly gay man, he encourages Maisie and Grant to pursue only that which brings them happiness and satisfaction.
“Normal is a terrible thing to aspire to,” Patrick had said. “Aim higher.”— excerpt from Steven Rowley’s The Guncle
When you think of a lighthearted read with depth, The Guncle is exactly the kind of book that comes to mind. If I were to say that it would have you turning page after page based only on Patrick’s clever witticisms, it would be accurate. However, Rowley creates a wholesome narrative that digs deep beyond the surface, past the drollery, pulling at heartstrings and keeping the reader hooked with his tactful intuition for a beautifully balanced dramedy.