The Guncle

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled acting career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting–even if temporary–isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.

With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

These book club questions are from the publisher, Penguin Random House.

Book club questions for The Guncle by Steven Rowley

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

Patrick and his sister, Clara, each has a different viewpoint on what would be best for Maisie and Grant after their mother’s death. Which approach did you agree most with? Did that change by the novel’s end? Patrick is meant to take care of his niece and nephew for the summer, but Maisie and Grant prove to be just as impactful on Patrick. What do the children teach their uncle? Discuss the ways in which they learn from one another. The Guncle asks the question: At what point does one stop being a kid? How is this explored in Maisie’s and Grant’s life? What about Patrick’s? Did you have a favorite Guncle Rule? If so, which one? How would you implement it in your own life? If you had to create a new Guncle Rule, what would it be? JED are an unconventional—and hilarious—set of neighbors. How does the throuple play a role in this novel? What were some of your favorite moments with them? Grief is a major theme throughout The Guncle. Discuss the different ways in which Patrick, Grant, and Maisie each learn to cope with their grief. How do Patrick’s memories of Sarah come to impact all of them? Does the endless sunshine of Palm Springs help or hurt them in these darker moments? Why do you think Emory is the first person Patrick considers opening his heart up to since Joe’s death? How is Patrick now ready to explore a relationship? By the novel’s end, Patrick has decided to revive his acting career. Were you surprised by his choice of project? What type of performance would you love to see Patrick do? Patrick is always his authentic self, something he draws on as a guncle. In what ways does he encourage the kids to celebrate their own unique qualities? Have you had a guncle or Auntie Mame–type figure in your own life? If so, what have you learned from them? What do you think happens next for Patrick? For Grant and Maisie?

Patrick is meant to take care of his niece and nephew for the summer, but Maisie and Grant prove to be just as impactful on Patrick. What do the children teach their uncle? Discuss the ways in which they learn from one another.

The Guncle asks the question: At what point does one stop being a kid? How is this explored in Maisie’s and Grant’s life? What about Patrick’s?

Did you have a favorite Guncle Rule? If so, which one? How would you implement it in your own life? If you had to create a new Guncle Rule, what would it be?

JED are an unconventional—and hilarious—set of neighbors. How does the throuple play a role in this novel? What were some of your favorite moments with them?

Grief is a major theme throughout The Guncle. Discuss the different ways in which Patrick, Grant, and Maisie each learn to cope with their grief. How do Patrick’s memories of Sarah come to impact all of them? Does the endless sunshine of Palm Springs help or hurt them in these darker moments?

Why do you think Emory is the first person Patrick considers opening his heart up to since Joe’s death? How is Patrick now ready to explore a relationship?

By the novel’s end, Patrick has decided to revive his acting career. Were you surprised by his choice of project? What type of performance would you love to see Patrick do?

Patrick is always his authentic self, something he draws on as a guncle. In what ways does he encourage the kids to celebrate their own unique qualities? Have you had a guncle or Auntie Mame–type figure in your own life? If so, what have you learned from them? What do you think happens next for Patrick? For Grant and Maisie?

What do you think happens next for Patrick? For Grant and Maisie?

The Guncle Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the The Guncle discussion questions