Summary and Reviews of All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

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Moments before Hubert met Ashleigh for the first time, he had been settled in his favorite armchair, Puss curled up on his lap, waiting for Rose to call. When the doorbell rang he gave a tut of annoyance, wagering it was one of those damn courier people who were always trying to make him take in parcels for his neighbors.

"Would you mind accepting this for number sixty-three?" they would ask.

"Yes, me mind a great deal!" he would snap. "Now clear off!" And then he would slam the door shut in their faces.

As he shifted Puss from his lap and stood up to answer the door, Hubert muttered angrily to himself.

"Parcels, parcels, parcels! All day, every day, for people who are never in to receive the damn things! If people want them things so much why them no just buy it from the shops like everybody else?"

With words of scathing condemnation loaded and ready to fire, Hubert unlocked the front door and flung it open only to discover that the person before him wasn't anything like he...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Ashley makes a huge leap of faith by setting out on her own to raise her daughter. What kind of strength does it take to create the type of life you want while raising a child?
2. Hubert didn't allow the color of his skin to dictate who he loved or the life he wanted to live. Have you ever defied someone else's expectations or prejudices to pursue what makes you happy?
3. Discuss the moments of obvious/subtle racism Hubert had to overcome throughout the story. What can non-immigrants be aware of/do to help immigrants transition to life in a new country?
4. Gus's descent into loneliness took on a dramatically different form than Hubert's. While Hubert's home still provided him the comforts he needed, Gus's degraded and left him living in...

Please be aware that this discussion may contain spoilers!

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All the Lonely People overflows with poignant moments. Pick one that was the saddest or heartbreaking for you.
On page 276 the author beautifully describes what is is like to be sitting vigil at a loved one's deathbed when they finally choose to let go. I wanted to ask him if he had experienced this scene because it is so realistic. The waiting is ... - millicentg

Are there things non-immigrants can be aware of or do today to help immigrants transition to life in a new country?
As a bilingual person I help many Hispanic immigrants in my community with translations at doctor's offices and at their children's parent teacher conferences. The immigrants I help have a very limited knowledge of English. Of course not... - viquig

Ashley makes a leap of faith by setting out on her own to raise her daughter. What hardships did she encounter? What kind of strength does it take to create the type of life you want while raising a child?
She was all alone in an unfamiliar place. She was a single mom with no support system or job initially. Child care seemed to be one of her biggest hardships, which is how she first met Hubert. Ashley was an outgoing social person, so she craved ... - margiec

Did the plot twist about Hubert's daughter surprise you?
Yes! I was shocked. But after that shock, I realized that Hubert himself didn't admit his daughter had died until that moment. His mind had been helping him cope by "making up" the phone conversations and the imminent arrival of ... - carolt

Gus’s descent into loneliness took on a dramatically different form than Hubert's. Why do you think Gus found himself living like he did?
Loneliness is loneliness, how one deal’s with loneliness determines how one’s life will be led. - kathleenq