Reviews with content warning for Drug use - The Celebrants

After reading Steven Rowley's The Guncle, and then his newest The Guncle Abroad, I was told (by my friend at the bookstore) this book of his was going to be different and it was. That being said, it was still a beautifully told story about college friends who experience a tragic loss their senior year. They decide to make a pact, a friendship pact, agreeing to celebrate each other's lives while they are living. The story focused on the past and present of each of the five friends, then each had a "celebration" during a rough time in their life. I especially enjoyed Naomi's celebration destination. I also enjoyed the somewhat subplot of Marielle's story and also the mention of the game board they played at one "funeral" !(Takes me back in time-Haha). I guess I didn't find this one as humorous but that's probably because I didn't relate to this friend group. 3.5 stars rounded up.

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foxreadsbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sad but sweet, Rowley develops characters that take you through pivotal moments in their lives. In 1995, after losing a friend just weeks before graduation, a group of friends makes a pact to hold living funerals for each other, in order to leave nothing unsaid.

I enjoyed the structure of the novel, even if the beginning gives away the end. Each character has a section of the novel dedicated to their time of need and living funeral, coupled with a present day "Jordans" chapter to tie the narrative together. Each section feels like its own short story, leaving a question to be answered in the next section.

Check trigger warnings, but if you liked the writing style in The Guncle, and you want a bit of a cry, check this out.

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mdavis26's review against another edition

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4.0

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gretchreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As a fan of The Guncle, I was so excited when my book club selected The Celebrants for our February read.

The Celebrants is a stunning story of a found family. Five college friends make a pact weeks before graduation to hold living funerals for one another - to serve as a source of support during life's challenges and as a reminder of how loved they are.

The novel spans 20 years - from the days in which the pact is made to the present day. We experience several living funerals and witness the characters' transformations as a result of these services.

It's a beautiful emotional roller coaster that had me crying into my pancakes earlier this week - in the best possible way! Make sure you have tissues nearby as you read this @readwithjenna selection!

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