Book Blurb:
It’s been a minute—or five years—since Jordan Vargas last saw his college friends, and twenty-eight years since their graduation when their adult lives officially began. Now Jordan, Jordy, Naomi, Craig, and Marielle find themselves at the brink of a new decade, with all the responsibilities of adulthood, yet no closer to having their lives figured out. Though not for a lack of trying. Over the years they’ve reunited in Big Sur to honor a decades-old pact to throw each other living “funerals,” celebrations to remind themselves that life is worth living—that their lives mean something, to one another if not to themselves.
But this reunion is different. They’re not gathered as they were to bolster Marielle as her marriage crumbled, to lift Naomi after her parents died, or to intervene when Craig pleaded guilty to art fraud. This time, Jordan is sitting on a secret that will upend their pact.
My Review: 4 stars
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley was a pleasure to both read and reflect on as the book touched on light and dark moments in life.
The book is about five friends that decide to celebrate (thus the title) each other’s funerals before they’ve died. It’s sharing what you love about one another and telling them how you feel while he or she is still alive. It makes a lot of sense to me.
Of course, all five characters are dealing with hurdles to overcome, with varying outcomes to each. I’m a sucker for found families and this book captures the heart and soul of that type of friendship. I laughed, I cried – all signs of an enjoyable book. Thank goodness Rowley has a wicked sense of humor and imbued that into the narrative. That levity was a welcome respite from the overwhelming emotions and stiuations these characters were dealing with.
I really enjoyed this one, however, The Guncle is still my favorite of all Rowley’s books.
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