The movie adaptation of The Storied Life of AJ Fikry was a flop but the book went down well with our members
In July, the club went even more bookish as it tackled The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Set in a New England bookshop on the fictional Alice Island, it was made into a less successful film which does not seem to have ever been released in the UK.
The book though was generally a hit with members, who enjoyed its humour, heart and literary references. There was appreciation for twists that members did not see coming, but added to the emotional impact. Although the setting was fictional, it did also seem well-realised.
Members felt the novel was well-written and pacey, perhaps too pacey for who felt slightly disconcerted by the regular jumps in time that took place. There was though general engagement with the cast of characters, who had enough depth to feel real.
AJ in particular felt well-drawn, though some members felt his transformation from curmudgeon to caring partner and father felt a little too easy. Members also warmed to the police chief Lambiase, who provided much of the humour and heart.
Members also largely appreciated and enjoyed the author's decision to open each chapter with a description of a short story by the title character, and overall the literary references added to the enjoyment.
There was a sense that some of the story came together slightly too conveniently, with the adoption of Maya in particular happening a little too easily. Members were prepared to forgive though a little lack of realism.
Some members felt Maya was perhaps a little too precocious, and did not always act her age, but that may have been consistent with her character and upbringing in the bookshop.
There was some discussion about the choice to end the book with a tragedy. Some members felt it was unnecessary, and also failed to pack the emotional punch it should have done, exposing some weakness in the storytelling.
Overall though members enjoyed being immersed in AJ Fikry's island and relished their time being trapped on Alice Island.
The book though was generally a hit with members, who enjoyed its humour, heart and literary references. There was appreciation for twists that members did not see coming, but added to the emotional impact. Although the setting was fictional, it did also seem well-realised.
Members felt the novel was well-written and pacey, perhaps too pacey for who felt slightly disconcerted by the regular jumps in time that took place. There was though general engagement with the cast of characters, who had enough depth to feel real.
AJ in particular felt well-drawn, though some members felt his transformation from curmudgeon to caring partner and father felt a little too easy. Members also warmed to the police chief Lambiase, who provided much of the humour and heart.
Members also largely appreciated and enjoyed the author's decision to open each chapter with a description of a short story by the title character, and overall the literary references added to the enjoyment.
There was a sense that some of the story came together slightly too conveniently, with the adoption of Maya in particular happening a little too easily. Members were prepared to forgive though a little lack of realism.
Some members felt Maya was perhaps a little too precocious, and did not always act her age, but that may have been consistent with her character and upbringing in the bookshop.
There was some discussion about the choice to end the book with a tragedy. Some members felt it was unnecessary, and also failed to pack the emotional punch it should have done, exposing some weakness in the storytelling.
Overall though members enjoyed being immersed in AJ Fikry's island and relished their time being trapped on Alice Island.
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