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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I liked the concept and the actual funeral scenes but the rest of the book dragged for me. There was a Glee reference which is a major slay for me!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this for a book club and was very skeptical, mainly because I'm so sick of seeing this type of cover art (and I'm not much into contemporary fiction) but I was pleasantly surprised. It was really touching and poignant at times. So, don't judge a book by it's cover, I guess.
Audiobook – I think red by the author. Regardless, perfect narration. I had to put this book down after the first chapter because of my father‘s illness but I’m so glad I picked it back up a few months later, and finished it . Six friends who move on as five, make a pact to come together, when any one of them calls for their “funeral.“ The pact was a guarantee that the people who knew you best would have a chance to tell you how amazing important and loved you are before it’s too late. Divorce, prison, illness. All great reasons to call for an early funeral. I love this author. He has an amazing way of getting all the details of friendship and the families we choose just right, the good and the bad.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Though a little more serious in nature than The Guncle, I still very much enjoyed this story.
College friends vow to never lose touch, with a pact for what they call ‘Living Funerals.” The idea is that each of them has one opportunity to send out a beacon to the group, in a time of need, and they will all gather to host a living funeral for that person, to express their love and appreciation for their existence.
At first I missed the more developed back stories of each character, but then I realized that the focus was on their relationships with each other, so this was likely very much intentional.
There were a few hilarious moments (skydiving
College friends vow to never lose touch, with a pact for what they call ‘Living Funerals.” The idea is that each of them has one opportunity to send out a beacon to the group, in a time of need, and they will all gather to host a living funeral for that person, to express their love and appreciation for their existence.
At first I missed the more developed back stories of each character, but then I realized that the focus was on their relationships with each other, so this was likely very much intentional.
There were a few hilarious moments (skydiving
Gets a bump in stars because happy-sad tears are the best tears.
(Consarn you, Steven Rowley!)
(Consarn you, Steven Rowley!)
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
This was such a feel good read, which seems odd for a book about a group of friends throwing each other living funerals to remind them of the value of life. But by the end, I was left with a full heart and the feeling that life is a gift to be treasured.
The Celebrants follows five friends - Jordan, Jordy, Noami, Craig, and Marielle - who, years ago in college, created a pact that they would each get a living funeral as a way to remind them how loved they are. At the start of the novel, all funerals have been had, except for Jordan and Jordy's. The book goes back in time to show each characters' life and how it led to them activating the pact, all leading up to the end where Jordan and Jordy have their own living funeral.
I love stories that center familial and platonic love, so I figured I would like this book. A bit into reading, I made note of the fact that this is typically the kind of book I would get bored easily by - there's not a lot of action, and the plot is simple and flexible. It's more of a character and life study, an exploration of these people and their friendships and passions. But not one part of this book was boring, and it wasn't super dense either. It was honestly a fairly quick read, because as I got more into the characters and the story, I wanted to know more. The characters all care for each other so much and it's evident in how they interact, and it's heartwarming. This novel is all about finding life and love in the mundane, which is always a nice reminder. It's also a reminder that I needed, so this book was perfect for me at this time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel; this review reflects my honest opinions.
The Celebrants follows five friends - Jordan, Jordy, Noami, Craig, and Marielle - who, years ago in college, created a pact that they would each get a living funeral as a way to remind them how loved they are. At the start of the novel, all funerals have been had, except for Jordan and Jordy's. The book goes back in time to show each characters' life and how it led to them activating the pact, all leading up to the end where Jordan and Jordy have their own living funeral.
I love stories that center familial and platonic love, so I figured I would like this book. A bit into reading, I made note of the fact that this is typically the kind of book I would get bored easily by - there's not a lot of action, and the plot is simple and flexible. It's more of a character and life study, an exploration of these people and their friendships and passions. But not one part of this book was boring, and it wasn't super dense either. It was honestly a fairly quick read, because as I got more into the characters and the story, I wanted to know more. The characters all care for each other so much and it's evident in how they interact, and it's heartwarming. This novel is all about finding life and love in the mundane, which is always a nice reminder. It's also a reminder that I needed, so this book was perfect for me at this time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel; this review reflects my honest opinions.