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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I adored The Guncle and wanted to like The Celebrants much more than I did. I loved the premise, all the more so when I realized the characters graduated college the same year I did, and there were lovely moments, but overall this book fell a little short for me on craft.
Sometimes good books come at the wrong time. This was how I felt reading The Celebrants by Steven Rowley. Rowley's novels have been hit or miss. (I loved The Gungle and The Editor!) The Celebrants. This book focuses on a group of friends who decide to host one another's funerals BEFORE they die. So much of the book focuses on death which, personally, was difficult for me. I also didn't really care for any of the characters. Much of the character's snarky humor just hit me the wrong way for some reason. Picking this book up at a different time I would feel differently about it. I guess this one wasn't for me. I do appreciate the publisher and author for gifting me with an advanced copy.
Well crafted novel and story. Someone compared it to the movie The Big Chill. I can see that. The author read the audiobook perfectly. Very enjoyable listen. I love the life long friendships as I have that in a group of 8 that gathers every year at a beach house. 30+ years of friendship and I could easily see us doing the Pact.
4.5 ⭐️
Beautifully written this drew me in and had me captivated until the last chapter. It also made me cry in the last few pages. It felt completely tied up but not too easy.
Beautifully written this drew me in and had me captivated until the last chapter. It also made me cry in the last few pages. It felt completely tied up but not too easy.
This was not what I was expecting after reading The Guncle. I thought I would be laughing and celebrations. And where there was that, there was also this melancholy just woven through this story.
I loved it... I loved the friendships. It truly was a test of their strength and being true friends that they were able to just pick up a phone and be there for each other after so many years. The conflicts seemed real and their moments of anger totally justified. But this story was really a story about grief and dealing with your grief and for that I absolutely loved it and needed it.
This story about found families and friendships that endure will be one that I recommend to friends that are struggling. I think it will be the hug they need.
I loved it... I loved the friendships. It truly was a test of their strength and being true friends that they were able to just pick up a phone and be there for each other after so many years. The conflicts seemed real and their moments of anger totally justified. But this story was really a story about grief and dealing with your grief and for that I absolutely loved it and needed it.
This story about found families and friendships that endure will be one that I recommend to friends that are struggling. I think it will be the hug they need.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
