G.P. Putnam's Sons
The Celebrants: A Read with Jenna Pick
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New York Times Bestseller
A TODAY Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club Pick
A Big Chill for our times, celebrating decades-long friendships and promises--especially to ourselves--by the bestselling and beloved author of The Guncle.
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.
A deeply honest tribute to the growing pains of selfhood and the people who keep us going, coupled with Steven Rowley's signature humor and heart, The Celebrants is a moving tale about the false invincibility of youth and the beautiful ways in which friendship helps us celebrate our lives, even amid the deepest challenges of living.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9780593540435
EAN:
9780593540435
Binding:
Paperback
Pages:
352
Authors:
Steven Rowley
Publisher:
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Published Date: 2024-26-03
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just ok… cliche’.
This book follows a group of 5 friends from their time in college to their late 40’s/early 50’s-focusing on the bond between them and the moments when you need to lean on those that love you. It is an ode to those friendships, and grief, and life. Very sweet book-great if you’re looking for a tug of the heartstrings. A “chicken soup” for the friend group soul, if you will.
Steven Rowley’s The Celebrants is a masterful exploration of friendship, mortality, and the ways we find meaning in life’s fleeting moments. The novel follows a close-knit group of college friends who reunite years later, fulfilling a pact to celebrate one another while they are still alive. Their gatherings, framed by unspoken grief and shared triumphs, become an intricate dance of laughter, tears, and poignant reflections. Rowley’s gift for blending humor and heartache shines through as he delicately balances the heaviness of mortality with the lightness of life’s small joys.At the heart of the novel lies the wisdom encapsulated in the quote: “You only live once. That was the truth of it. But if you do it right, and he felt that he had, once is more than enough.” These words serve as a cornerstone for the story’s emotional resonance, reminding readers to embrace the fullness of life despite its brevity. The characters’ struggles and victories are rendered with such raw authenticity that their journeys feel universal. This modern, relatable tale invites readers to examine their relationships and ponder what it truly means to live well.The Celebrants is a heart-wrenching yet uplifting read, filled with moments that inspire and break your heart in equal measure. Rowley’s storytelling is infused with wisdom and a deep understanding of the human spirit, offering readers not just a story but an emotional journey. Whether you’re drawn to tales of enduring friendships or simply seek a reminder of life’s preciousness, this beautiful novel is a catalyzing experience that lingers long after the final page.
This is an emotional read, and I thought it was very good. I felt he did a great job of writing the characters, so you felt like you knew them. Also a good reminder that life is what we make it.
I like this author. The book was an easy read. The story had so much potential with the 5 friends from college. Netflix has that great show “Friends From College “ with a similar story line. Unfortunately I didn’t like any of the characters and it would seem that the author sees straight white men as losers. I needed more to the back story. UC Berkeley is a tough college to get into. I wanted to understand how they became friends. How did Alex fit in. Without understanding how they were friends it was hard to like any of the characters. They hadn’t seen each other in years but they felt comfortable slapping each other across the face. They were just rude to each other. For 3/4 of the book they didn’t seem to care or relate to each other. I will say it picked up in the last 25%. Finally they seemed genuine. I am glad I stuck it out.
