Review: All The Lonely People

All The Lonely People

Mike Gayle

Hubert Bird is alone. After his wife died and his daughter moved to Australia for a job, he lost touch with most of his friends, and he hardly ever goes out. Instead, he spends his time alone with his cat while he invents stories about imaginary friends to tell his daughter Rose over the telephone. He doesn't want her to think he's lonely. One day his new neighbor, Ashleigh, needs help and Hubert reluctantly agrees to babysit while Ashleigh goes to a job interview. This one act changes the course of his life, and he soon learns that not only does he have new friends but a new purpose in life as well.

I loved All The Lonely People, and especially its main character Hubert. I couldn't help but hope all the good things he deserved would come his way. I enjoyed this novel's back and forth structure, which gave me the chance to learn about Hubert's experience as an immigrant and his life with his wife Joyce as they set out to start a family and the hardships and hurdles they had to overcome. Mr. Gayle has a lovely writing style that makes this a story that is sad, funny, charming, and utterly absorbing. It gives one hope that all will be well if we open the door and let someone in once in a while. I'm so glad I got to read this one.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.