Rowley's protagonist is a modern-day Auntie Mame with every bit of that unflappable flapper's sharp wit and fabulous wisdom. 'Steven Rowley has triumphed again with his new novel The Guncle, an exuberant but tender story about life, death, family, and love.

Christopher Castellani, author of Leading Men

A cleverly subversive story about what makes a family.” You’ll root for his two adorable charges as they navigate a terrible loss, and for Patrick’s own heart to make a long-overdue comeback. “Patrick, the hero of Steven Rowley’s effervescent, utterly charming, and affecting novel, is the dearest friend you haven’t met yet. Gary Janetti, author of Do Your Mind If I Cancel? Love, loss, and Palm SpringsĪre the perfect ingredients for a delightful cocktail.' 'THE GUNCLE is super funny, charming, and tender. Andrew Sean Greer, winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Less 'A joyous Auntie Mame spritz! A reading pleasure pour yourself a tall glass and enjoy, preferably poolside. With the humor and heart we've come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times. Quickly realizing that parenting-even if temporary-isn't solved with treats and jokes, Patrick's eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you're unfailingly human. Despite having a set of 'Guncle Rules' ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick's brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays.

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.

The guncle steven rowley