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readingthestars 's review for:
The Celebrants
by Steven Rowley
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.