Book Review: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
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Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Adult Fiction/ Contemporary
Buy: Yes
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Synopsis
On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.
A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.
And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, but large in weight. It's that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love.
From the very first page, I was hooked by how the story line is. I always love books with lots of life values that I can learn from. Magical books about real life just like Cecilia Ahern's books. Yes, I do love most of her books. There's so many points in our life that we need to read about someone else's life to be inspire and to be strong. I realize that this book is one of the book that you can read whenever you need something as a reminder that you're not alone and how lucky you are.I'm lucky that I was attracted to this book when I was in the bookstore. I don't really have any thoughts at first and I rarely understand synopsis very well. I just trust my guts to read this book without knowing what its offer me. I was mesmerized at the very first page and was thinking to myself that this book is what I need, Felt very weird like you've met the long lost best friend. And I was excited for one whole day reading this book.
First the character A.J. is totally awesome guy. He's very strict and stubborn person. But the way he's thinking is beyond my level. When he was encounter with some strange situation, he didn't avoid it. Instead he's thinking that there's a reason for that situation happen to him. And gladly accept it. If I'm in the same situation as him, I'll be scared to death and trying my best to avoid it in any costs. Because of the unexpected situations that he's been through, he became someone new. Better person. He learns to be a better man. I love this part and I really cried in joy while reading it because I know it's hard for him to change the way he is. I'm really proud at his growing character. From stubborn and mean personality to a reasonable and lovable man.
And there's Amelia looking for love. I see myself in her character. She's really inspired me to try my best in everything I do. I love how this kind-hearted woman finally found her happiness. I really rooted for her happy ending because she deserve it.This book is funny as well. There's so many parts in this book really touch my heart. I'm thinking that maybe if I try to look everything in positive light, I'll be happy and settle just like A.J. and Amelia. And yeah a bookstore, that's all I want.
Book Quotes
(may contain spoiler)
She is thirty-one years old and she thinks she should have met someone by now. And yet. Amelia the bright-sider believes it is better to be alone than to be someone who doesn’t share your sensibilities and interests. (It is , right?)
The things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also life.
“I worry for you.If you love everyone, you’ll end up having hurt feelings most of the time. I suppose, relative to the length of your life, you feel as if you’ve known me a rather long time. Your perspective of time is really very warped, Maya. But I’m old and soon, you’ll forget you even knew me”.
Once someone had asked A.J. if Maya was his. “You’re both black but not the same kind of black”. Maya remembers this because the remake had made A.J. use tone of voice she had never heard him use with a customer. “What is the same kind of black?”. A.J. had asked. “No, I didn’t mean to offend you”, the person had said and then the flips flops had backed their way to the door, leaving without making a purchase.
She thinks he’s about to hug her, but instead he shakes her hand, the way he would greet a colleague- perhaps an author visiting the store. A sentence occur to her: The day my father shook my hand, I knew I was a writer.
He will try again. He will never stop trying. “Maya, we are what we love”. Maya is shaking her head. “Dad, I’m sorry. I don’t understand”.”We aren’t things we collect, acquire, read. We are for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we loved. And these, I think these really do live on”.
Further Reading Suggestion
A place called here, If you could see me now, My best friend's girl.
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p/s: Goodreads review
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