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A review by savvyrosereads
Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane
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