TL;DR: I was looking for a book that would make me cry and well, this definitely got the job done! 😅 The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is every bit as wonderful as everyone told me it would be and I’m so happy that I’ve finally read it! I definitely understand why it’s so well-loved by many. There’s something about Zevin’s storytelling that’s so compelling, emotional and human—flaws and all. I would recommend this to those who enjoy a character-driven slice-of-life story that takes place over part of a lifetime, and for those who love a book about books!

I’ve had this on my TBR for years. It’s a story that many of my bookish friends have recommended to me countless times saying it’s a story I’d love, and they weren’t wrong! Despite enjoying this as much as I expected to, I kind of want to preface this review by saying that I don’t think there was anything particularly “outstanding” about the writing or the story. It has themes that are written about often—loss, love, and life and there were even moments in the storytelling that made me go “hmm, that doesn’t seem right or that’s awkward or I’m not entirely sure that works for me”. Yet, I think there’s something to be said about the simplicity of this slice-of-life story with its messy and realistic characters who are at once flawed, quirky, pitiable, and somehow wonderfully charming. Of course, it’s also a love story to books and the art of stories and storytelling, and what’s not to love in a book about books?

When we meet A.J. Fikry he’s going through A Time™️ with the loss of his wife, a penchant for drinking until he passes out at least once a week, and an increasing apathy for life. He’s the quintessential mid-life curmudgeon who’s rude and a snob to practically everyone. I loved watching his character soften as Maya entered his life and he finally had to consider someone other than himself. Seeing him become a doting single father to the most precocious little nerd was very sweet and I loved how determined he was to ensure that Maya’s mind was constantly nourished. Maya was an adorable toddler, a charming kid, an amusing teenager and 100% a Fikry. This is a slice-of-life story told in weeks, months, and years and I loved seeing how life for father and daughter evolve over the years but also how beautifully the community comes together around Island Books. There are book clubs with the most unexpected readers and (disastrous) book events with the unlikeliest of authors. It was charming and cosy and wonderful! I love the mini-reviews for short stories sprinkled in throughout the book and when I found out what it was for, it broke my feelings just that little bit more (in the best way)!

As I mentioned, there’s a simplicity to Zevin’s writing that worked for this story but I can see why it might not work for some readers. I wouldn’t say there’s a detached quality to it but Zevin writes her characters and the events of their life in a very factual manner, with some humour and subtle heart thrown into the mix. Normally, this would also make it hard for me to connect to a character (especially when it’s character-driven) but it somehow worked for me in this and I felt invested in their happiness. It’s safe to say that by the end, I had a good cathartic cry because L I F E. Also, there was an element introduced that I wasn’t ready to encounter due to parallels in my real-life situation, and despite the “brevity” of these scenes, the impact was like a straight shot to my heart. 🥺

Despite my overall enjoyment of this book, several things kept me from giving it a full five stars. First, the relationship development with Amy felt almost non-existent. She was there in the first chapter then disappeared completely until a little more than halfway through and then suddenly love is in the air. I didn’t not want them to end up together but I also wish we got to see a gradual progression with their relationship change. Second, there was not nearly enough Maya in the end and she’s such an important character that it felt like a big missed opportunity (and a pity she wasn’t given that limelight considering where the story goes).

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Also, I just need to throw this bonus in because I don’t know how to explain why this song comes to mind when I think of this book. I’m definitely taking the lyrics more literally than it’s meant (it’s about Dante’s Inferno after all) but it’s heartbreaking, powerful, beautiful, and full of love, much like this book.

Have you read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry or is it on your TBR?

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