The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Gabrielle Zevin. 2014. 260 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: On the ferry from Hyannis to Alice Island, Amelia Loman paints her nails yellow and, while waiting for them to dry, skims her predecessor's notes. "Island Books, approximately $250,000.00 per annum in sales, the better portion of that in the summer months to folks on holiday," Harvey Rhodes reports.
Premise/plot: A.J. Fikry, a widower, has a bookshop--Island Books--on Alice Island. Since his wife's death, well, he's been a tad crankier than usual. His grumpiness startles saleswoman Amelia Loman for a bit. (She'll have to adjust her approach if she hopes to sell him any books for the store.) The day they meet is memorable--in hindsight. He heats up a frozen dinner, gets drunk, can't remember much of anything. But the next day, well, he discovers that his most valuable (rarest) book, a book by Edgar Allen Poe, has been stolen from his home. This book wasn't valued for its contents, mind you, but for the hope it represents. He could at any time sell the book at auction and have enough money to live on. He doesn't *have* to depend on Island Books for income. But without the book, well, he'll have to make some effort--consistent effort--to provide for himself....
But such is life, he won't be alone for long. For that very weekend a BABY (well, a toddler) is left "on his doorstep" (so to speak) with a note. The mother is leaving her child to him because she values books and wants her to have a better life. The child's name is Maya...
Thus follows the adventures and misadventures of a single father raising a little girl....not quite on his own...but mostly. For this little girl changes him and brings him into the community in a way that he hasn't been active...at least since his wife's death.
Each chapter opens with HIS notes on a particular book (short story, poem, novel, whatever). His notes sometimes mention Maya by name. So readers learn these notes are for her.
My thoughts: Despite the opening paragraph not being all that wonderful a hook, I soon found myself engaged with the unfolding drama. It reminds me very much of Silas Marner. Perhaps more enjoyable but same idea--a man is forever changed by a child. The "worst" of circumstances lead to the best of outcomes.
The book does need a warning label. Is it happy? Is it sad? It may be a matter of is the glass half full or half empty. I am glad I read it...at least once. I'm not sure I'd revisit it knowing the ending. This isn't a matter of the ending being out of sorts with the text. Everything is leading up to that specific ending...but still.
Quotes:
They had only every discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?
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 in life.
Who are these people who think a book comes with a guarantee that they will like it?
"Love you," Maya says. "Yes, she keeps saying that," A.J. says. "I warned her about giving love that hasn't yet been earned, but honestly, I think it's the influence of that insidious Elmo. He loves everyone, you know?"
We read to know we're not alone. We read because we are alone. We read and we are not alone. We are not alone.
© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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