Learning to love

Learning to love others is one of the major themes in "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry." At the beginning of the novel, the main characters are fairly isolated from intimate relationships: A.J. is a widower who acts like he wishes to be alone the rest of his life; Maya is ignored by her biological father and abandoned by her biological mother; Amelia would rather be alone than in bad company; Ismay is in a loveless marriage full of betrayal; and Lambiase is divorced and longs for connection and companionship.

For some of these characters, such as Maya and Lambiase, learning to love other people comes naturally. Maya quickly accepts A.J. as her father, loving and trusting him immediately upon their meeting. She also takes to Lambiase as well as Amelia. Despite having been abandoned, which could create a host of...