The Wedding People

失意の只中で自殺予定の主人公が、結婚式会場である豪華ホテルに滞在し、明るく未来ある結婚予定の花嫁に振り回されながらも、人生の再出発に成功する。設定がユニークで引き込まれます。 コメディと割り切れば問題ないですが、自殺をテーマにしつつ、あっさりとポジティブな精神状態に変化してゆく主人公の経過が引っ掛かるかも。 新郎とのロマンス展開がありそうで、最終的にはウヤムヤになるのは、少々フラストレーションが溜まります。

主人公が自殺を考えているという暗い物語との事前情報を受け、半年くらい購入を避けていましたが、英語も簡単で、笑える箇所も多くすぐに読み切ることができました 結婚式と新郎・新婦の関係、最終的な終わり方などモヤモヤした気持ちもありましたが、主人公の境遇について、嫌でも共感してしまう部分(不妊治療の記述のところ)もあり、生きることに対する考え方の変化は希望を感じました

この作品は、多くの人が絶賛していると耳にし、ベストセラーだという点にも惹かれて読んでみました。期待していた以上に、笑いと感動が詰まった物語で、読後には心が温かくなるような余韻が残りましたね。特に、主人公のフィービーが、まさかの「部外者」として結婚式に巻き込まれていくという設定がユニークで、最初から引き込まれました。 まず、この本の最大の魅力は、登場人物たちの人間臭さが非常に魅力的に描かれている点だと思います。人生のどん底にいるフィービーが、完璧な結婚式を目指すブライドのリラ、そしてその周りの「ウェディングピープル」たちと交流することで、予期せぬ形で自身の人生と向き合い、再出発していく過程が丁寧に描かれています。特に、フィービーとリラの間に芽生える奇妙ながらも深い友情は、この物語の核だと感じました。お互いの「ベストな計画」が崩れていく中で、本音で語り合い、支え合う姿には、思わず感情移入してしまいましたね。他者の意見でも、この二人の関係性の発展が本作のハイライトだと評されているのを多く見かけ、とても共感できます。 一方で、少し気になったのは、フィービーの初期の状況がかなり絶望的であるにも関わらず、物語が比較的ライトなトーンで進む部分です。深いテーマを扱ってはいるものの、あくまでコメディタッチで描かれているため、より重厚な人間ドラマを求めている方には、少し物足りなさを感じるかもしれません。しかし、その軽やかさこそが、読者に重くなりすぎずに物語を楽しませる要因になっているとも言えます。 この小説は、人間関係の複雑さや、人生の予期せぬ展開に興味がある方におすすめです。特に、結婚式の裏側で繰り広げられる人間模様や、不器用ながらも必死に生きる人々の姿に心惹かれる方には、ぜひ読んでいただきたい一冊です。失恋や人生の転機に直面しているけれど、前向きな気持ちになりたいと思っている人にも、きっと希望を与えてくれるでしょう。読了後には、あなたの心にも温かい光が灯るはずです。

I ordered this and came the next day.. immediately read it They're all just people trying to get through life, broken, confused, and figuring things out. That's what made this book so relatable. This story resonated with me through its themes of depression, art, books, and loneliness. I also loved how the author balanced humor with heartfelt moments. Phoebe was easily likable. She's observant, witty, and the kind of character who stays with you. I also saw a bit of myself in Patricia's perspective on femininity, womanhood, and vulnerability. Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. It was easy to get immersed in the story, and every character felt like someone you could know in real life. I wouldn't exactly call it a light read, but it's definitely one l'd recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. It manages to balance emotional and heavy topics with humor in a very natural way. The story starts in a way that feels a bit intense and unusual, but the characters quickly pull you in, especially the dynamic between them. I also loved the writing style — it was engaging, easy to read, and emotional without feeling overly dramatic. Overall, it’s one of those books that makes you laugh, reflect, and feel attached to the characters at the same time. Definitely recommend it if you enjoy contemporary fiction with emotional depth and a bit of dark humor

If you are in a reading slump, without a second thought, pick this one up. There was so much hype about this book, yet I somehow didn't believe it. So finally when I decided to read the sample, ahem! Ahem. Rest was history. Phoebe Stone a divorced English Professor, decides one moning to walk out of her home, work - basically life. She flies to Newport, Rhode Islands to stay at this luxurious 19th Century Hotel. Enter bride Lila and her grand six days wedding with her extended family. And boom! Every plan that Phoebe had turns upisde down. What I really loved about the book was Phoebe's character arc - she wore her emotions on her sleeve and was so real and relatable. The story was filled with witty banter, emotional, reflective conversations and so much drama. There wasn't a moment of dullness. The plot was packed with tiny twists and surprises that I thought were going to follow a predictable line of conduct, then it totally twisted. After finishing this book, I found myself smiling and feeling sad that it ended. That's how beautifully written this story is. Everyone needs to read this book, I cannot reiterate that enough!.

Highly recommend, interesting perspectives, feels like real life but in a uniquely intriguing storyline. The characters are well developed. Read it.

This book has sat with with me for a few days and what I can tell you is it’s ALL about feelings, so many feelings 🫶🏼 The Wedding People was full of the most complex , real , raw characters and so heartfelt, and I never have related so much to a character like Phoebe. I did this as a buddy read with @thefictionphysician and I am so glad I did this with Melany because no one should ever feel alone . The crazy thing is I’ve never met Melany but the friendship we’ve made on Bookstagram shows you how you can find connections in the most unlikely places if your willing to open your heart ♥️ and for that I am thankful ! So please go check out her page and show her some love 💕 I am so glad you are Here 🫶🏼 “But it is also true that one day she can be alone in a room preparing to die, and the next, she can be preparing to be on a boat with beautiful strangers .” “Alive,” Gary says “ You struck me as a person who was fully alive . It was inspiring, actually.” This story as my dear friend pointed out is definitely targeted to a more mature audience aka 40 and up 😜 because of the relatable content with the main character Phoebe. This book is heavily weighted on mental illness and suicide but with threads of humour and sensitive touches dusted through out the story and about new beginnings and finding strength in ourselves and others . If your looking for a heartfelt read that is beautifully written then I HIGHLY recommend The Wedding People it’s filled with Unlikeable characters that the author made me feel sorry for them at times and characters you will love and be filled with so many emotions you’ll feel like a yo-yo at times and you’ll be so glad to be here ❤️