A Book A Week

Over the past two years, my family has celebrated several weddings. First, my brother married his bride, a beautiful event that concluded their extended engagement due to COVID-19 and their pursuit of PhDs. The following fall, my sister-in-law had her own wedding, an out-of-town bash that was both a fantastic party and a heartfelt ceremony, bringing both smiles and tears to many eyes in the crowd. Reflecting on these events, I was struck by the vast mix of emotions that weddings bring. They are celebrations of love, commitment, and the merging of two families. However, they are also stressful, particularly for those planning and ensuring everything goes off without a hitch. In her newest novel, The Wedding People, Alison Espach delves into the complexity of these celebrations, crafting a story that explores this mix of emotions through striking commentary, humor, and good old-fashioned storytelling.

The Cornwall Inn is renowned for its pristine condition, prime location, and hosting the most luxurious weddings. Nestled in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, the hotel and its staff excel at ensuring every event goes off without a hitch. This makes it the ideal venue for twenty-eight-year-old Lila's big day. She has meticulously planned every detail of her six-day celebration, knowing that a girl only gets one chance at the perfect wedding. Friends and family have arrived, and the festivities are set to begin.

Phoebe is depressed. There's no denying that the past year has been the worst of her life. Infertility, infidelity, divorce, and now the death of her cat have brought her to this point. She arrives at the Cornwall Inn with no bags, not planning to check out. Phoebe has sadly concluded that her life should end here, and she might as well do it in a luxurious hotel. As she enters the hotel lobby, she is immediately mistaken for one of the wedding guests. After all, everyone else is here for the celebration. She is soon roped into the festivities, leading to a chance encounter with the bride. Phoebe is the one scenario Lila didn't plan for. As the two begin to confide in each other, their unexpected meeting starts to reshape the path of both their lives.

I first encountered Alison Espach's writing through her 2022 novel Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance. That novel dealt with the sudden loss of a child from the perspective of her younger sister. Espach's ability to blend a coming-of-age story with contemplations of grief and a touch of humor made it one of my favorite reads of the year. Naturally, I was eager to read her latest novel and gladly accepted an audio copy from her publisher.

The Wedding People takes the idea of the contrasting emotions among wedding participants and maximizes it to the extreme. On one hand, we have Lila, the blushing bride, eager to start her happily ever after. On the other, Phoebe has lived a life that proves happily ever after is a myth; she's ready to end it all. By combining these characters, Espach explores the ups and downs that life can bring, delving into complex subjects such as suicide, death, infertility, divorce, and depression.

This book won't be for everyone, and I can see many choosing to avoid it purely because of the subject matter. For me, though, I appreciated the way Espach approached heavy topics with humor, grace, and zero judgment. If we could all do the same, the world would be a better place. The Wedding People is a summer read that dares to give readers something to ponder. Like her previous work, this one will no doubt be one of my favorite reads of the year.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 59)