Phoebe Stone, an English professor from St. Louis, wants to kill herself at a lovely oceanfront hotel in Rhode Island. However, upon arrival, she encounters a hotel full of people ready for a six-day vacation wedding. Like most suicidal people, Phoebe tells someone about her agony – the bride-to-be. They end up engaging in honest conversation, and the bride-to-be begs Phoebe not to ruin her wedding week. Phoebe ends up not killing herself and gets drawn into the wedding activities.
She discovers that the looming marriage has cracks all over it – and all over the wedding party. In the nascent friendship with the bride, Phoebe finds that the bride has habitual problems being authentic with anyone except herself. She also discovers that the couple themselves has potential red flags in their relationship just a few days before the big event.
Much drama ensues, including the exposure of a whole lot of hidden affections. The story unwinds with everyone – including the truth-telling, suicidal Phoebe – coming to terms with being themselves more fully. The whole event is one massive coming-of-age tale for each major character.
If you like a narrative filled with drama, this book has it in spades. The main thing I didn’t like was an overemphasis on sex and an over-abundance of the f-word. I’m not a prude, but sometimes, it seemed that the whole party was one giant verbal orgy played out over several months. Instead, I wished more nuance and drama could have followed instead of just having everyone talk about having crude sex with each other.
Still, this book offers an entertaining diversion that shines a light on human nature – and the reader’s own humanity. It speaks about being true to yourself and your feelings while weaving through complex relationships, filled with betrayal, death, and confusion. Despite its dark beginning, it ends up celebrating life in all its forms, most of all in its deeply human form.
The Wedding People: A Novel
By Alison Espach
Narrated by Helen Laser
Text copyright (c) 2024
Henry Holt & Co.
Audio copyright (c) 2024
Macmillan Audio
ASIN B0CKLZGC6V
Length: 12:13
Genre: Fiction
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