The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Product Details
Web ID: 16778481Kinda drags on but also couldn't put it down
Slow read for me, even though I read it in 1 day. I couldn't seem to put it down. I cried with this book, but not at the ending. The ending made me angry. Seemed very lazy, rushed, and sloppy. I also really don't like the random, out of place cursing. Cursing it fine, but this was random and took away scenes for me. I finished the book feeling angry. Nor because I wanted a sequel or because I was angry it was over. No. I was angry the last few chapters of the book. Super random ending. Not enough emphasis on love or Maya's story, and the characters I was simply not drawn to. Felt cold. So mad at the rushed ending. Also, a bit of a slow burn and dry read. Like a wine that's too dry. I'm just annoyed! Not sure why they made this a movie, this book has a huge opportunity here to go a totally different way and that opportunity was not taken. The main character is actually pretty detached and cold. Ughhhh so frustrated at this lol I still recommend it though lol identify even know why.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Book club selection
I enjoyed this selection that was chosen for our monthly book club. I didn't think I would like it because of the writing style (more of a telling style) but I thought wrong. Not going to lie; I was emotionally invested enough that I cried.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A "feel-good" read!
I loved this book! I heard about it through an email that Barnes & Noble sent to me three years ago. The email included a list of "Feel Good Fiction" books, and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry was on the list. A.J. Fikry is a 39-year-old cranky bookstore owner. Some of the events in his life hardened his heart, but new events softened it. I won't give it away, but as others have said, it is a hidden gem! I have quoted parts of the book when talking with people. If you like this book, and I think you will, you might enjoy the following "feel-good fiction" books: A Man Called Ove, Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, and Where the Crawdads Sing.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Reluctance to enter the Future
Loved this story of a curmudgeon who enters each new phase of his life reluctantly. I have copied quotes to share with family
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Hidden gem
This book was an unexpected pleasure. I picked it up because it took place in a bookstore and knew nothing else about it. I was pleasantly surprised that it was witty and heartwarming and genuine. No extra sentimentality when it wasn’t needed. Read it!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Brilliant Story
(4.5) Wow! With this many reviews I don't think I'm going to take up a lot of your time here. I'll just throw my quick two cents in and move on. This is where my recap/book explanation would go but I'm thinking you probably have a good idea of what is all about by now. This is the life of bookseller A.J Fikry and what happens after a very mysterious package is left at his bookstore. You don't need anything more than that to get started. Any more than that and you've sort of ruined the book for yourself. Go in blind. You'll take so much more out of this story if you do. This book is excellent. It's well written, shows every single emotion one can have over the length of the book, has characters you'll have a hard time forgetting, will be one you'll likely want to reread or pass on someday (or both), and will leave you feeling everything when you close that last page. Do I recommend this? Yes, I do. It's not incredibly long so you don't need to take a lot of time to read it and it's worth it in the case you wind up really liking it.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Good
I couldn't decide between a 3 and 4 so in the end give this 4 stars. I really liked the characters, the writing style, pacing and especially the setting and bookstore. I wasn't sure about some characters at first, but the more I read the more you get to know them and want to keep reading. Really good read.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Just a wonderful story
Storied life of ajf is a wonderful story. Unusual today, it is a story about nice poeple doing nice things. No cia spies, no girl returning home to find that---, no murder by a window. Well written, it moves along nicely, and has a good ending, albeit not one i would choose, but ok. And the literary referencing is fun. I liked it better than the Bookshop of Yesterdays by Meyerson, also set in a book store, of course. I heartily recommend this book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com