"Sometimes books don't find us until the right time."
- Gabrielle Zevin, The
Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.
A.J. Fikry owns a bookstore on Alice Island, located off the coast of Cape Cod. His wife passed away recently, his business isn't doing well , and he's become something of a recluse and a curmudgeon, who doesn't have many friends. But his world is about to change in ways that he can't imagine. A young child named Maya is left in the bookstore, with a note asking A.J. to take care of her. He also crosses paths with Amy, a publisher's sales rep, who's trying to pitch him on titles to stock in his store. Both of these events will have a profound impact on A.J.'s life.
That's the premise of Gabrielle Zevin's marvelous novel The Storied Life
of A.J. Fikry. In addition to A.J., Amy and Maya, Zevin also creates a
well-drawn supporting cast, including A.J.s sister-in-law Ismay Evans, and
local cop Nick Lambaise, who becomes A.J.'s friend
and confidant. This is a moving tale that will make you smile and tug
at your heartstrings in equal measure. The positive effect that Maya and
Amy have on A.J.'s life, and those in his circle, is at the heart of
this terrific tale, which some readers might notice takes a bit of inspiration from George Eliot's classic novel, Silas Marner.
If you love books, and emotionally centered stories of life and love filled with joy, along with a touch of sadness, you'll enjoy The
Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Another essential part of the novel's
appeal is A.J. and Amy's passion for books, several of which are quoted and
referenced throughout the narrative. The novel was adapted into a movie in
2022, featuring Lucy Hale, Kunal Nayyar and Christina Hendricks. It's a fairly
faithful adaptation of the story. The film version is
currently streaming on Netflix. Here's a look at
the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dDTHI67SLk.
