The Stats

Title: All the Lonely People

Author: Mike Gayle

Narrated By: Ben Onwukwe

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (23 July, 2020)

Time: 12 Hours 21 Minutes

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Contemporary, Historical Fiction, British Lit

Trigger Warnings: Dementia, Death, Drug Addiction, Racism, Mentions of Suicide/Mental Health

Read if you like: A Man Called Ove

All the Lonely People was the June selection for The Gloss Book Club.

The Review

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle is a captivating and moving story that explores the themes of loneliness, friendship, and the power of human connection. The book follows the life of Hubert Bird, an elderly Jamaican immigrant living in London. A practiced liar, Hubert has spent years fabricating stories about his active social life to his daughter Rose during their weekly phone calls. When Rose announces her plan to visit him, Hubert realizes he must find real friends to maintain the façade he has created. Along the way, he encounters a diverse cast of characters who contribute to his journey of self-discovery, showing that no matter your age, you could always use a friend.

The chapters alternate between the present and the past to provide a well-rounded view of Hubert’s life and the reasons behind his current state of loneliness. Gayle skillfully delves into Hubert’s backstory, including the challenges he faced as a Black West Indies immigrant in 1950s London and the impact of his interracial relationship with his English Rose wife, Joyce. We also learn the reason behind why his former friendships fizzled out, and why Hubert cares so deeply about “ending loneliness in Bromley for good.”

The highlight of All the Lonely People, however, is the exceptional character development in this book. Hubert’s evolution throughout the story is beautifully portrayed, and readers will empathize with his triumphs and struggles. The secondary characters – Ashley, Latvian Emil, Jan – are equally well-developed, adding depth and richness to the narrative.

Mike Gayle’s writing is superb, tackling topics of racism, mental health, and addiction with sensitivity. The story seamlessly weaves together humor, heartbreak, and hope, leaving a lasting impact on readers. The plot twist takes readers by surprise and adds to the book’s emotional resonance. As I was short on time, I chose to listen to the audiobook instead of reading “All the Lonely People,” and I highly recommend it. The audiobook version, narrated by Ben Onwukwe, truly brings Hubert to life. Onwukwe provides excellent narration, capturing the essence of the character and enhancing the overall experience. The longer the novel went on, the more I understood why the other characters loved Granddad Hubert.

Overall, All the Lonely People is an unforgettable novel that explores the complexities of life and the importance of human connection. Though it was slow in the beginning, I became deeply invested in the novel and Hubert’s life. The big twist was one I did not see coming but helped shape the novel as a whole. It is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read that will leave readers laughing, crying, and filled with hope. Whether you’re looking for a feel-good story or a book club selection, this book is a must-read.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars!

Short Review (AKA TLDR)

“All the Lonely People” by Mike Gayle is a captivating and moving novel that delves into the themes of loneliness, friendship, and the power of human connection. Set in London, the story follows the life of Hubert Bird, an elderly Jamaican immigrant who has spent years fabricating stories about his active social life to his daughter. When his daughter plans a visit, Hubert realizes he must find real friends to maintain his façade, leading him on a journey of self-discovery. Through skillful character development and alternating chapters between the past and present, Gayle explores Hubert’s backstory as a Black immigrant in 1950s London, the challenges he faced, and the impact of his interracial relationship. With sensitive writing that tackles racism, mental health, and addiction, the story weaves together humor, heartbreak, and hope. The plot twist takes readers by surprise, adding emotional resonance to the narrative. The audiobook, narrated by Ben Onwukwe, brings Hubert to life and enhances the overall experience. “All the Lonely People” is an unforgettable exploration of life’s complexities and the importance of human connection, leaving readers with a mix of laughter, tears, and hope.