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charlottelynn's review against another edition
4.0
Funerals are for the living, so why not celebrate your life when you are living? That is exactly the idea for these friends after losing a close friend in college. Each person in the pact can call, no questions asked, just show up, and have their funeral thrown for them while they are alive.
I was not sure how this would play out, would it be incredibly sad, would it be corny? I believe it played out perfectly. Each person has their funeral, their story is told in their own chapter. Their friends celebrate them, challenge them to keep living, and show them how much they are loved. I really liked that no one took making the call for their funeral lightly. The calls only came during times of need and ended up changing their lives for the better.
The Celebrants is a unique look at living life, true friends, and celebrating living.
I was not sure how this would play out, would it be incredibly sad, would it be corny? I believe it played out perfectly. Each person has their funeral, their story is told in their own chapter. Their friends celebrate them, challenge them to keep living, and show them how much they are loved. I really liked that no one took making the call for their funeral lightly. The calls only came during times of need and ended up changing their lives for the better.
The Celebrants is a unique look at living life, true friends, and celebrating living.
thomasr417's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
desertcrab's review against another edition
3.0
A group of friends reconvenes at various moments in their lives to celebrate one of their living “funerals.”Overall, I found this to be a disappointing read. I had high expectations because I thought The Guncle was superb but I found the dialogue in this grating and the characters so unlikable. Who knows, maybe I messed up by listening to the audiobook? I’m not sure, but I do know this just wasn’t it for me.
ebats's review against another edition
4.0
finishing my challenge with a squeaker! and tears in my eyes because the ending of this sent me!!!! a group of friends at berkeley gather after the overdose death of one of their posse. they vow to have living funerals" upon request, so that "nothing is left unsaid." the book chronicles some of those, filling in the intervening years and flanked with chapters about the jordans, a couple from the group who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis (and impending real death). i liked that the friend group (minus this couple) actually weren't close after college; this felt really believable. while there were parts here that dragged a BIT, i overall felt it was lovely and real fodder for considering death and what it means for both you and the ones you leave behind. i didn't mean to finish the year with two books about death; maybe it's appropriate as we leave another year behind.
rachelfreitas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gellykordon's review against another edition
5.0
It perfectly encapsulates how special college friendships can be.
nobro58's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐️ / 5, rounding up to a 5!!
Ugh, I just absolutely love Steven Rowley. I was soooo excited to read this and it did not disappoint! I feel like Steven does such a good job creating characters and concepts. Truly have not read a book I didn't like by him.
I finished this book while I was at work today (whoops, but it was a slow day). And I was CRYING in the club. Sad moments, really happy moments between the five friends in which this story follows - Jordy, Naomi, Marielle, Jordan, and Craig. SUCH an interesting and amazing and sweet concept. I really did enjoy this story and following life through the characters. Do recommend!!
Ugh, I just absolutely love Steven Rowley. I was soooo excited to read this and it did not disappoint! I feel like Steven does such a good job creating characters and concepts. Truly have not read a book I didn't like by him.
I finished this book while I was at work today (whoops, but it was a slow day). And I was CRYING in the club. Sad moments, really happy moments between the five friends in which this story follows - Jordy, Naomi, Marielle, Jordan, and Craig. SUCH an interesting and amazing and sweet concept. I really did enjoy this story and following life through the characters. Do recommend!!