Scan barcode
faythd's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Alcoholism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism, Animal death, Body shaming, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
tlholmes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent, Death, Animal death, Grief, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Religious bigotry
courtneyer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, and Homophobia
louisekf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use and Grief
noladawnreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Homophobia
Moderate: Grief, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Death
bookshelf_al's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Homophobia
Moderate: Grief
savvyrosereads's review
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Chrissy Durang loves her son but has struggled to accept him for who he is, and her struggles come to a head when he arrives on her small Louisiana ranch—soon to be joined by his fiancé Ezra and Ezra’s family—for a big gay wedding the town will never forget.
For some reason the cover, title, and blurb of this one all conspired to make me expect a silly, lighthearted romp. But while this one definitely had its silly and lighthearted moments, it was so much more than that. What I got instead was a touching, thought-provoking, emotional read about a mother and her son, a grandfather and his family, and a Louisiana heritage sheep that had me absolutely sobbing (listen, you’re just gonna have to read if you want to know more).
I also love the direct and unflinching way this book explores a myriad of important and/or difficult topics, including homophobia and bigotry, organized religion, alcoholism, and death. It is a novel that mixes profound and often subtle prose with a kind of dramatic exuberance and over-the-top delivery in an absolutely perfect and decidedly memorable way. And finally, whoever thought to market this one as “Schitt’s Creek meets Father of the Bride”? You could not have been more spot on, in the best way.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Schitt’s Creek; family drama but make it funny; misfit animals
CW: animal death; homophobia; mentions of terminal illness
Chrissy Durang loves her son but has struggled to accept him for who he is, and her struggles come to a head when he arrives on her small Louisiana ranch—soon to be joined by his fiancé Ezra and Ezra’s family—for a big gay wedding the town will never forget.
For some reason the cover, title, and blurb of this one all conspired to make me expect a silly, lighthearted romp. But while this one definitely had its silly and lighthearted moments, it was so much more than that. What I got instead was a touching, thought-provoking, emotional read about a mother and her son, a grandfather and his family, and a Louisiana heritage sheep that had me absolutely sobbing (listen, you’re just gonna have to read if you want to know more).
I also love the direct and unflinching way this book explores a myriad of important and/or difficult topics, including homophobia and bigotry, organized religion, alcoholism, and death. It is a novel that mixes profound and often subtle prose with a kind of dramatic exuberance and over-the-top delivery in an absolutely perfect and decidedly memorable way. And finally, whoever thought to market this one as “Schitt’s Creek meets Father of the Bride”? You could not have been more spot on, in the best way.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Schitt’s Creek; family drama but make it funny; misfit animals
CW: animal death; homophobia; mentions of terminal illness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Grief, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
readingbetweenthevines's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’ll admit, I didn’t have Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane on radar until Booksparks sent me a copy as a part of their #SRC2023 #BooksAndRec list - and that’s a shame.
This book was everything, I genuinely snort laughed every time I saw the “Countdown to Damnation” at the beginning of every chapter. I laughed, I cried, I was angry - I literally felt all the feels. This had such an eccentric cast of character, most of whom are so loveable, even Miss Chrissy managed to win me over in the end!
Big Gay Wedding is mostly lighthearted, but also hits on some heavy topics, all in all this is one I highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Religious bigotry, Grief, Alcoholism, and Animal death
More...