The Guncle | Piña Colada Smoothie
Grief is a tricky beast. It hides in wait, affecting our lives and decisions in ways we aren’t aware of, until it rears its head and forces us to face it. In The Guncle, Patrick is keeping his niece and nephew for the summer after the loss of their mother - his best friend. But Patrick is already suffering from his own grief, that has turned him into a bit of a hermit. As he helps the children deal with their loss, he comes face to face with his own, and just maybe they will help him just as much as he helps them.
A turning point in the book comes from an important conversation while they float in the pool sipping on smoothies (loud slurping noises included). A good showcase of how this book balances hard subject matter with lightness and humour. What better drink can you imagine poolside in Palm Springs than a Piña Colada Smoothie? All the flavours of the classic but able to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Piña Colada Smoothie
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 can light coconut milk
1 frozen banana, chopped
4 cups frozen pineapple
1 cup pineapple juice (not from concentrate)
Optional: splash of rum or rum extract
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Serve immediately.
Hi I’m Cheri, I’ve been staying up too late reading since I was a kid hiding under the covers with a flashlight.