The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry: A Novel

Don't miss Gabrielle Zevin's new novel, Young Jane Young, coming in August 2017.

"Funny, tender, and moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry reminds us all exactly why we read and why we love."*

A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, its unexpected arrival gives Fikry the chance to make his life over--and see everything anew.

"This novel has humor, romance, a touch of suspense, but most of all love--love of books and bookish people and, really, all of humanity in its imperfect glory." --Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow Child

"Marvelously optimistic about the future of books and bookstores and the people who love both." --The Washington Post

"You won't want it to end." --Family Circle

"A natural for book groups." --Richmond Times-Dispatch

"A reader's paradise of the first order." --The Buffalo News

"A fun, page-turning delight." --Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Captures the joy of connecting people and books . . . Irresistible." --Booklist

"A wonderful, moving, endearing story of redemption and transformation that will sing in your heart for a very, very long time." --Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

"Readers who delighted in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Letters from Skye will be equally captivated by this novel." --*Library Journal, starred review

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Published Dec 2, 2014

288 pages

Average rating: 7.66

728 RATINGS

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juleskshi

May 22, 2025

10/10 stars

wow i’m sobbing. this was probably one of the best books i’ve read in a while. this book felt like a warm hug. i think i have to read all of gabrielle zevins books now.

AnnaKata

Mar 14, 2025

4/10 stars

This was a cute fast read. I picked this book up because it was cheap. The ending was cute and despite it being only about 150 pages it was fair. This is the kind of book you read on a vacation to keep you relaxed.

Kanake7

Feb 04, 2025

4/10 stars

I felt like this story was on the verge of going somewhere but it never really did. The characters were surface level and bland. Overall a depressing read.

Klabardee

Jan 03, 2025

6/10 stars

This is a charming book about a man who at first take is as lonely and isolated as the island he lives on. As the story unfolds, however, so does Mr. Fikry and the journey he is on.

richardbakare

Dec 28, 2024

10/10 stars

I thought “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” was a singular masterpiece piece by Gabrielle Zevin. It’s hard for any writer to craft such moving stories again and again without recycling a lot of tropes and characters. “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrey” was a precursor to what I now see as the magnum opus for Zevin. Both books stand apart yet share a mastery of human emotions. What really stands out for me is how Zevin can shape her stories into tributes to a particular craft. In this case, we get an homage to the book industry and creative process. Along with glimpses into the complexities of love in small-town life, betrayal, self-discovery, and gut-wrenching heartbreak that you have to make yourself not look away from. This one is a book lover’s book that underscores the best parts about the family we make versus the ones we are born into. I am surprised; I had not heard more about it before. I’d recommend it as a great book club selection as well. But, be warned, Zevin knows how to break your heart into a million pieces with no apologies or sugarcoating the facts. You will need your Kleenex close by.