The Wedding People: A Novel

When a book is this popular, it may seem like there's not much left to say. But I have to weigh in, because this is one terrific book, full of heart and hope and humor, despite the fact that it seems, in its opening pages, to be going in a dark direction (it's not). I loved Alison Espach's writing, her quirky observations, and the surprising turns in the plot. And the characters are without exception engaging and likeable (I have a special, sneaking affection for the bride). When I really enjoy a book, it becomes something like a companion -- you just really want to spend time with it and share it with others. This one? I've recommended it to at least a half dozen people, and though I bought it only last February, I've read it myself three times. It's a treat.

The Wedding People is darkly funny, messy, and surprisingly tender. Set over a chaotic wedding weekend, the story explores grief, divorce, infertility, and the strange ways people start rebuilding their lives after everything falls apart. The humor is subtle and sometimes uncomfortable—in the best way. More than once I found myself laughing and then wondering if I was supposed to. This is a very character-driven novel, and the wedding setting works perfectly as an emotional pressure cooker. Everyone is emotionally feral and no one quite knows what to do about it, which makes the interactions feel messy, honest, and very human. The ending felt quietly hopeful and satisfying, though I did wish there had been an epilogue—I wasn’t ready to let these characters go and wanted to know what happened next.

When reviewing a book I often think of this truism: there is the truth and then there is everyone's perception of the truth. Most if not all of us bring our own experiences and life choices to what we read as well. Hence, divergent opinions from readers about any selected book being reviewed at the time. Fortunately there are thousands upon thousands of authors writing books from which we can choose. So, then, one person may think there is too much descriptive material which slows the narrative down while another will want more. Of course some authors are better than others at writing narratives about places, clothes, food and the like but if they did not include such tangible items then we would all be reading nothing but short stories. Another divergent point is how realistic should the narrative be? In my opinion, an author has done his/her job when some facet of the human condition, whether negative or positive but certainly negative, is turned into a great read as nuanced, as wise and as powerful as THE WEDDING PEOPLE: A NOVEL by Alison Espach. Even though suicide is a serious topic and is not treated lightly in the book, it should be noted that those suffering depression have our concern and our hope for those needing it to seek help. On a positive note however, statistics show that people who were saved or rescued from the final act are grateful that they did not succeed regardless of how the "rescue" happened. Add Phoebe Stone, the MFC, to such a "literary" saved list! I try not to include spoilers but Phoebe's intentions for checking into the exclusive Victorian Hotel have been mentioned several times already so consider that even though she meant it, she did not realize she had checked into the hotel with improper equipment for such a final act. However, regardless of her plan, the contrast is startling between her self-agonizing, self-criticism and constant worry about how others see her compared to the bombastic over-the-top, her-first-concern-is-herself, Lila, the bride. What better way to lift Phoebe up than being put in a position to help others with less weighty concerns than her own--or are they less weighty to each particular individual? Phoebe's upbringing was so quiet and calm that she could not step outside what she assumed others thought of her, even when she was married. Once she met the crew in Lila's wedding party, Phoebe started broadening her outlook for the first time in her life. How all this happens is a serious, laugh out loud, shed a few tears very believable fictional narrative about self discovery and self determination. Each character contributing to Phoebe's evolution is fully presented as being different from one another with each having their own quirks, hangups and personalities. Then there is Clay, the groom, a person Phoebe could look in the eye and be totally honest with about her feelings and opinions. Phoebe's growing relationship with each person is clever. Special note: there is a scene about a vintage car that will have readers laughing for days. Books that have stood the test of time are not compact, quick reads though many of us enjoy those too but rather are about the difficulty we have growing up then living a "normal" life (whatever that is) or that are written about unforgettable subjects i.e. the orphanages of Dickens day and then the "snake-pit" mental hospitals in the early 20th century (and do not forget the future--1984) and so on. One of the reasons so many of those books are still being read today is that they took a terrible situation and turned it into a story most of us could relate to while being grateful the situation(s) were eventually adequately resolved. I believe we will be reading this book for a long time. I loved it, read it in a day and will read it again, something I have only done one other time in all the centuries I have been an avid reader (LOL). With no hype or personal fixations, just simply my truth: the best book of the year.

This book was chosen for my book club, so I did read it in its entirety. I would not otherwise have finished it. As someone who struggles with clinical depression and suicidal ideation, I cannot really recommend it. I understand the book is light-hearted and seen as a beach read. It certainly has elements of humor and some insights about marriage or life. I highlighted many quotes that were interesting and worth remembering. However, its treatment of depression is off-base. I resent the idea that a truly suicidally depressed person with that much trauma in her life could suddenly be cured by an an influx of money and attention. Money, drinking, partying, and meeting a new man, especially one with baggage currently in a relationship, is not a cure for depression. To my mind, this book perpetuates a simplied view of depression and promotes the negative stereotype that finding the right person / relationship will fix someone's mental health. I know the book is ficiton and probably not intended to be so deep, but suicide is not a topic that should be treated in such a manner.

Fun romp. Compelling and developed characters, sweet story. My only issue was Mel/Juice. The writer has her as an 11 year old, but her dialog doesn't ring true for that age.

The Wedding People, by Alison Espach, is a coming-of-age (coming-to-life) comedy novel. It is the story of a suicidal protagonist who awakens to her life as an inadvertent addition to a week-long wedding party she disapproves of entirely. Her name is Phoebe, and she unexpectedly bonds with the bride. What ensues allows for revealing high humor. The loquacious and self-absorbed bride, Lila, bursts into Phoebe’s deep depression, to ask, “How do you like my hat?” In another scene, Phoebe returns clothing she borrowed from Lila’s mother and notices two bedside books: How to be Your Own Best Friend, and We Die Alone. Espach uses the week-long wedding as a character study of participants and their humanity as a platform for what might be obscured in the overreaching excess of a such a thing. Phoebe, unincluded in her own life, becomes personally involved as a foil for emotional honesty. She is sense and truth confronting a big happy day – a week, actually — dressed up like a life. Swept into it, Phoebe disapproves, pointedly and hilariously, of the whole idea. Alison Espach’s writing is funny, sharp, and smart, using humor and character development to great effect: Lila confides that her future mother-in-law mentions the bride’s dress is a little short. “That’s code…” Lila’s wealthy widowed mother: “’I fell in love with what Henry gave me. And he gave me so much. But loving someone like that doesn’t make you a better woman. Only losing them does.’” This seems a cynical comment but it is an honest appraisal of wrong judgement. It is the voice of experience, and Phoebe is listening to it. The Wedding People is filled with such occasions of unguarded sincerity. This makes for moments of poignancy as well as humor. Awakening to yourself is the undergirding theme of The Wedding People. Author Espach knows she is in territories of a dangerous stereotype. Yet, like her protagonist, Espach confronts emotional traps and rabbit holes of catastrophe to seek perspective. “Phoebe looks at her green dress. Six days ago she was ready to die in it. In some versions of this story she would already be buried in it. But in this version, Lila had it laundered by the hotel staff.” There are many ways to seek redemption. Throughout the wedding week Phoebe’s sharp mind functions like an analytic recorder, observing this contretemps and that message flashing between eyes, or wildly costly gestures unable to conceal misgiving hovering in the near and actual chaos encountered at the Newport RI. setting. Phoebe struggles to know how irony and satire carry the real message of truth. Frantic attempts to be perfect, no matter the cost, cultural fashion, or mandate, inevitably leave a wake of what it means to be human. And everybody’s truth is different. -- Tom Casey

Phoebe Stone, an English professor from St. Louis, wants to kill herself at a lovely oceanfront hotel in Rhode Island. However, upon arrival, she encounters a hotel full of people ready for a six-day vacation wedding. Like most suicidal people, Phoebe tells someone about her agony - the bride-to-be. They end up engaging in honest conversation, and the bride-to-be begs Phoebe not to ruin her wedding week. Phoebe ends up not killing herself and gets drawn into the wedding activities. She discovers that the looming marriage has cracks all over it - and all over the wedding party. In the nascent friendship with the bride, Phoebe finds that the bride has habitual problems being authentic with anyone except herself. She also discovers that the couple themselves has potential red flags in their relationship just a few days before the big event. Much drama ensues, including the exposure of a whole lot of hidden affections. The story unwinds with everyone - including the truth-telling, suicidal Phoebe - coming to terms with being themselves more fully. The whole event is one massive coming-of-age tale for each major character. If you like a narrative filled with drama, this book has it in spades. The main thing I didn't like was an overemphasis on sex and an over-abundance of the f-word. I'm not a prude, but sometimes, it seemed that the whole party was one giant verbal orgy played out over several months. Instead, I wished more nuance and drama could have followed instead of just having everyone talk about having crude sex with each other. Still, this book offers an entertaining diversion that shines a light on human nature - and the reader's own humanity. It speaks about being true to yourself and your feelings while weaving through complex relationships, filled with betrayal, death, and confusion. Despite its dark beginning, it ends up celebrating life in all its forms, most of all in its deeply human form.

I LOVED this book; arguably one of the top 5 fiction books I've ever read. From the first page, you are in. I loved the main characters unfolding as they did- all of them. This is a story of discovery of self, authenticity, friendship, and love. I loved it, and you will too.

Grappig, leest makkelijk weg. What are the odds, maar wel een vermakelijk verhaal!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a good yarn with a bit of romance thrown in. The two women, Phoebe (the narrator character) and Lila (the bride) form the irresponsible dual focus of this escapade, with the men thrown in as supporting, but timid and weak, characters. Other women are portrayed with bit parts and only the receptionist, Pauline, seems to have grown up. The child "Juice", a progeny of the widowed groom's first marriage, also seems to exhibit maturity denied to the adults. The characters are all caricatures like in a cartoon, and bash each other in the same way. It contains a fair bit of American style humour (humor) like altering the hotel decor to fit personal style, and American style assertiveness, particularly in Lila whose personal insecurity is manifest in demanding thoughtless behaviour. The crass adults all have tragic backstories which might go some way to explaining their idiosyncrasies, but the main driver is merely the screenplay like a theatre farce, to drive the rapid progression of one slapstick to another. However, the yarn is supported by an excellent understanding of human behaviour, and thoughts and emotions, and these are expressed by the characters in highly unlikely private discussions, or in Phoebe's own thoughts rendered into text to convince the reader that she is a real person. In addition, most, if not all the adult characters indulge in episodes of coupling, which personality attribute is further enhanced by the booking of a sex lady for the hen night. These insights make the book much more enjoyable than if it was merely the child's cartoon that the actions alone might portray. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but you must take it on the level it is written and don't reject it simply because real people are not like these characters at all; it is a good story, just enjoy it.

I started off quite disliking this book. At first I scanned a few passages of descriptive as I found them excessive and unnecessary. But gradually as more dialogue developed, it became a real page-turner. And this is where the book shines; the sparkling, witty, amusing dialogue. It's all very middle-upper class New York, highly entertaining, funny, sad and engrossing. A very engaging book, thoroughly recommended.

The condition of the book was really well, it is one of my birthday gift. So I really appreciate the way I received it. And plot of the book was really good. The book was anyways supposedly recommended multiple times so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. :)

Hermosa novela, con personajes reales, en movimiento y bien definidos. Es difícil cortar la lectura para seguir luego, te engancha desde el inicio. Mucho humor, diálogos exquisitos y una trama finamente armada. Muy recomendable.