Agent: Rob Weisbach, Rob Weisbach Creative Management. Readers will find this delightful and illuminating. Rowley finds humor and poignancy in the snappy narrative, ordered by a series of “Guncle Rules” (“number five,” applying to the adult content in Patrick’s apps: “If a gay man hands you his phone, look only at what he’s showing you”) and deepened by lessons the grief-stricken children learn via Patrick from generations of gay life. Fortunately, he has help from a new agent the “throuple” of three men next door and his sister, Clara, despite Clara’s skepticism over the value of Patrick’s screwball antics for the children. As Patrick navigates his grief and responsibilities for the children, who call him their “Guncle” (or “GUP,” for gay uncle Patrick), he contemplates a comeback. Patrick agrees to watch over Greg’s children, Maise and Grant, nine and six, while Greg spends a few months in rehab.

While Patrick is in Connecticut for the funeral, widower Greg confesses he’s developed an addiction to painkillers. Patrick O’Hara is four years out of the limelight and living in Palm Springs, Calif., when he learns his best friend and sister-in-law, Sara, has died after a long illness. He regrets his decision to take them in, until he starts to recognize that his outsize lifestyle and unusual life wisdom could bring about a season of healing that redefines their understanding of family, and finally lead Patrick back to himself.In this heartwarming, hilarious novel from Rowley ( The Editor), an erstwhile sitcom star ends up taking care of his niece and nephew. Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire Magazine as one of the Best Books of 2019, and The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and semi-finalist for The Thurber Prize in American Humor. Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his own great love and managing a stalled career. But when tragedy strikes, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. His Palm Springs home and reclusive lifestyle aren’t exactly welcoming to children.

Patrick O’Hara has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant - from a safe distance. From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew.

The guncle by steven rowley