The Guncle

While Patrick claims to be done with the dehumanizing business of Hollywood, the reverence with which he treats his Golden Globe award suggests that a small piece of him at least still values the recognition that comes with fame. When Grant tries to take the statuette as a gift from the tooth fairy, Patrick reacts with horror: “That’s mine. It has my name on it” (61). As the narrative progresses and Patrick begins to bond with Maisie and Grant, however, Patrick gains some necessary perspective. After the earthquake, both Grant and the Golden Globe are damaged, but only Grant’s injuries matter. “Priorities realign,” Patrick realizes, and when Maisie points out the dented award, Patrick responds, “Fuck my Golden Globe” (209)—he’s come to see that things, unlike people, are replaceable.

Memory is a powerful theme in the novel, and photographs are the most obvious physical manifestation of memory. During a midsummer Christmas celebration, Patrick gives Maisie and Grant framed photographs of their mother taken “mid-laugh, her thick, reddish hair cascading effortlessly behind her back” (163). The image symbolizes Patrick’s idea of the friend he loved: The photo was taken just before he and