Book Club - The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Anonymous
Anonymous

This month's book is The Wedding People by Alison Espach:

A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew.

It's a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she's actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn't here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she's dreamed of coming for years--she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she's here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan--which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can't stop confiding in each other.

In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach's The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined--and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.

Feel free to comment on the book in this discussion.
If you are interested in joining our Book Club please email: [email protected]
Our next meeting is on Monday 20th April from 1930-2100.
Happy reading Relaxed
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 2 months ago

    I will be at the next book club but I feel compelled to write something about this book... I'm not going to give away any spoilers as you may not have started or finished your book.

    I really REALLY enjoyed this book! Start to finish. I liked all the characters, especially Marla, Phoebe and Juice. I loved how all the characters developed through the book, and what that added to the story as it went along. I thought the writing was good and enjoyed how it dealt with several life subjects, both seriously and humorously.

    This is going in my 'favourite reads of the year' pile. I will definitely be recommending this book and look forward to sharing my copy with one of my reading buddies to enjoy! 

    I had a paperback copy to read, not an audio book - I know this sometimes makes a difference.

    Thank you Book Club! 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 2 months ago in reply to Anonymous

    How do you get yours so quickly? I haven't even received mine yet and you've already read it See no evilRofl

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 2 months ago in reply to Anonymous

    Maybe check in with Sarah? I received my book last weekend, and have finished it this morning.

    I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has been the first book in a long time where I couldn't put it down. I've taken it with me when I've gone out, and have read it in a cafe, in the queue outside my son's school, in my campervan van whilst Eddy played outside, etc.

    I loved the internal musings of Phoebe and the frankness of the conversations between the different characters. I enjoyed the mix of humour and seriousness. The setting was well described and perfectly matched the narrative.

    Spoiler alert: I've read a review that criticised the notion that someone could overcome depression and suicidal thoughts in the space of a week, but I feel that the ending of the book is really just the beginning of Phoebe's recovery.

    In many ways, it's very similar to Ricky Gervais's Afterlife, in the sense that what follows Phoebe's suicide attempt is a freeing of herself, and the feeling that she has nothing to lose by speaking openly and doing things she wouldn't previously have considered possible.

    I think it would make an excellent film too.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 2 months ago in reply to Anonymous

    I’d received mine by the Friday (I’m sure it was the Friday or early Saturday) of BC week and literally couldn’t put it down. 

    I’ve since read the book Jayne recommended, and also enjoyed that.

    Now on my village Book Club book, All the Colours of the Dark… hoping to finish before I leave for holiday!

    My husband basically hasn’t seen me for the last 10 days Rofl 

Reply
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 2 months ago in reply to Anonymous

    I’d received mine by the Friday (I’m sure it was the Friday or early Saturday) of BC week and literally couldn’t put it down. 

    I’ve since read the book Jayne recommended, and also enjoyed that.

    Now on my village Book Club book, All the Colours of the Dark… hoping to finish before I leave for holiday!

    My husband basically hasn’t seen me for the last 10 days Rofl 

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