Reviews - The Celebrants | The StoryGraph

2.94k reviews for:

The Celebrants

Steven Rowley

3.75 AVERAGE

haleyhurst01's review

4.75

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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: Complicated

This was a good one. I can’t give half-stars, but this would get 4.5, mostly because it made me cry.
After the death of their friend, right before college graduation, 5 friends make a pact to host “living funerals” for each other, so that all of them have an opportunity to truly know their impact on each other. And rather than wait until til they’ve each died, they want to do this while they are still alive to be able to feel the love and support and gratitude. These “funerals” span the next 25 years, each coming at an opportune time. And, in the meantime, life unfolds and each of them navigates the hand they’ve been dealt, while at the same time supporting each other.

pennypm's review

2.0

I struggled with this one. I really like The Guncle and am disappointed. The characters, esp the female ones, were not very likable. Tough to finish.

alabarrett's review against another edition

3.0

emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved the concept of themis book: a group of friends getting together when one of them is having a hard time to host a "funeral" so they can remind each other how important they are. Unfortunately, it just didn't give what I was needing from it. I really didn't like the characters so I couldn't route for them or commiserate with them.

Content Warnings

ehill86's review

3.0

I really loved The Guncle, so I was excited about this book. The Celebrants had its moments, but it honestly seemed too much like The Big Chill to me (and that is one of my favorite movies). Also, the chemistry was off sometimes between the friends. I felt like there was too much irritation and anger between some of them that it made it hard to believe some of them would want to be friends.

heyyyitsericm's review

4.0

Makes me wish I could go back in time in college and have something like these friends have…

Even though I was emotional (and full of regret?) for most of the book.

But of course I cried at the end.

I do wish all the characters were a bit…softer. It seemed like they were all hard-edged and always arguing. And I know that’s what friends do, but at times it felt like they actually WEREN’T friends the way they spoke to each other.

sarareuschel's review

4.0

What a beautiful reminder to live life to the fullest and to make sure those around you know how much they're loved. This book has heart and humor and real life and sarcasm and fear all in one. I have quickly become a big fan of Steven Rowley and his ability to tell a story with so much depth while still giving you laugh out loud moments.