NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A heartfelt story of love, grief, and renewal about two unlikely friends who discover that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found them “A dazzling debut novel.”—O: The Oprah Magazine“Tremendously moving.”—The Wall Street Journal“Touching and ultimately hopeful.”—People 1987. The only person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June … hopeful.”—People
1987. The only person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus is her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can be herself only in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down.
But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life. At the funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail containing a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and that this unexpected friend just might be the one she needs the most.
WINNER OF THE ALEX AWARD • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Wall Street Journal • O: The Oprah Magazine • BookPage • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • School Library Journal
more
This book took me in right away. I fell in love with the characters, complex and interesting. Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
Loved this debut novel. Hope to read more of this author. Magnificent descriptions. Very emotional. Loved.
Very well written. Great character development
I love books that are character driven. This is one of those.It is told in the voice of a 14 year old girl. I have not yet finished this wonderful and bitter-sweet novel about life, death, mourning, secrets and a love-hate relationship between teenage sisters among other things.
This book, beautifully written with insightful, loving glimpses into the personalities of people on the fringe of society, is a remarkable exploration of people who need help in a great way. Want to better understand the marginal souls on this earth? Rad this book. You will come away with great love in your heart!
I loved the very complicated characters, especially the main character. The story was great, though seemed a little slow and repetitive at times. Definitely recommend this book.
This book goes on the favorites shelf. Read it.
Loved it. Very different but wonderful
My all time favorite book! How someone can write in the voice, heart, and mind of a 14 year-old girl is just amazing. A loving, tragic, and tearfully beautiful book that I now cherish!
A good read, couldn’t put it down at the end. Liked the ending.
One of those books where I was sorry to come to the end. Eagerly awaiting more from this writer.
Read this book! It is worth reading for the wonderfully skillful writing, the characters, the story–everything.
I always know how well I liked a book by how long I think about it after finishing it. It’s been a month and I still think about the family, the love, the sadness. Very touching.
A wonderful book. It captures the fear and hysteria at the beginning of the AIDS crisis and the impact of the disease on a family. A powerful coming of age novel. Beautifully written. Well worth your time.
I really loved this book a lot and found the characters to be very realistic and interesting. The subject matter isn’t one I’ve seen addressed before but I was fascinated with the way that the Uncle’s illness impacted all his relatives. Wonderfully written. A few tears along the way but well worth it!!
This book was a good read. The only thing I didn’t like about it is its repetitiveness and tendency to drag out the storyline.
Great book about a quirky family!
Beautifully written
Expected a story about werewolves, not about the angst of a couple of misunderstood teens and the loss of their uncle to AIDS.
Loved the characters and the story. This book made me cry, its one of those few books that you read and get inmersed in. Would highly recommend.