All the Lonely People

In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship, and fulfillment. But it's a lie. In reality, Hubert's days are all the same, dragging on without him seeing a single soul.

Until he receives some good news—good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on. The news that his daughter is coming for a visit.

Now Hubert faces a seemingly impossible task: to make his real life resemble his fake life before the truth comes out.

Along the way Hubert stumbles across a second chance at love, renews a cherished friendship, and finds himself roped into an audacious community scheme that seeks to end loneliness once and for all . . .

Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows, will he ever get to live the life he's pretended to have for so long?

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Grand Central Publishing

Book club questions for All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

For Hubert, it was the death of his daughter that led him to a life of loneliness. Who in your life inspires you to live life to the fullest?

Ashley makes a huge leap of faith by setting out on her own to raise her daughter. What kind of strength does it take to create the type of life you want while raising a child?

Hubert didn’t allow the color of his skin to dictate who he loved or the life he wanted to live. Have you ever defied someone else’s expectations or prejudices to pursue what makes you happy?

Discuss the moments of obvious/subtle racism Hubert had to overcome throughout the story. What can non-immigrants be aware of/do to help immigrants transition to life in a new country?

Gus’s descent into loneliness took on a dramatically different form than Hubert’s. While Hubert’s home still provided him the comforts he needed, Gus’s degraded and left him living in unhealthy conditions. Why do you think Gus found himself living like this?

Hubert grieves by keeping to himself. What are different ways of grieving and what kind of support do people need?

Hubert reluctantly left his loneliness behind to connect with his community and past friends. What have you reluctantly done that resulted in an unexpected joy?

Joyce stood up against racism to be with Hubert even though things in her life may have been easier without Hubert in it. What does that tell you about who Joyce is as a person and her values in life?

Hubert has a difficult relationship with his son. What caused David to turn to drugs and could Hubert have handled the situation differently? If yes, how?

Life is filled with joy, but also sadness. Discuss times when you felt like giving up, but your friends and family helped you find your joy again.

Hubert crafts an exciting lifestyle for himself in a notebook instead of going out and living it. Discuss why he does this even though he knows that it’s not his daughter on the phone that he’s telling these stories to.

To Hubert, his family was everything and he was willing to do anything for them. What does family mean to you?

If you could start a movement in your community, what would it be? And why?

All the Lonely People Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the All the Lonely People discussion questions

“Hubert Bird is a gentle hero and I loved him. A book that is perfect for the times we live in, but also one to treasure for many years to come.”―Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things

"This thoughtful novel is warm, funny and gives you all the feels."―Good Housekeeping

“A winning tale…Readers will be touched.”―Publishers Weekly

“Mike Gayle is on World Beating Form with All the Lonely People. It's the right book at the right time and you're going to love it.”―Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner

“I'm such a fan of Mike's, and think this is absolutely his best yet. The characters are so warm and so real, and the issues of loneliness and displacement are so very topical and important.”―Clare Mackintosh, New York Times bestselling author

“A heartwarming story about the power of community and human connection. Hubert Bird stole my heart.”―Beth O'Leary, author of The Flat-Share

“A tremendous read, as always. A funny, warm, heartbreaking, wonderful story about family and friendship and the power of caring in an imperfect world. Hubert, Ash & the gang are unforgettable characters.”―Tracy Rees, author of Amy Snow

"With a winning main character, this absolutely heartwarming story unfolds with just enough surprises and heft to keep readers engaged. A natural choice for fans of Helen Simonson's Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand or any of the myriad recent books about cranky men finding late-in-life joy."―Booklist