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outoftheblue14's review
2.0
"The glaciers are receding," she said. Nora peered though the window as if she could see the progress of said glaciers some ten thousand miles north. "I read it in the paper. This morning".
The view, Harrison had noted before he'd sat down, was of still-green lawns and dormant rosebushes, of a wrought iron fence and a garden bench, of ornamental grasses and white pines. Beyond the considerable acreage was a steel ribbon of river and beyond that a range of mountains, blue-gray in the morning light.
I picked up A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve in the Italian translation (sorry I can't remember the name of the translator, and I already returned the book) at the library. I thought I'd never get to write the review. It is "an immensely readable book, but not a memorable one".
The novel centers around a wedding between two high school sweethearts, Bridget and Bill, who ten went on to marry other people. The wedding takes place in a Massachusetts inn in December 2001, and brings together a group of former friends, now forty-something people, who attended Kidd Academy together. They are Harrison, an editor; Agnes, a History teacher at Kidd Academy who's also writing a novel; Rob, a pianist who found fame and success after coming out; Jerry, an arrogant businessman; and Nora, the owner of the inn.
The wedding takes on a particular meaning because Bridget, the mother of a fifteen-year-old son, suffers from breast cancer and might not live longer than a couple years. To add to the melancholic mood, the group remembers Steven, a friend of theirs who used to be Nora's boyfriend and died in a tragic accident before graduation. Things escalate when the group gets snowed in, and some ugly secrets are revealed.
I found the book easy to read, but not extraordinarily likeable. In particular, I disliked the way the narration is alternated to the work of fiction which is being written by Agnes, dealing with the early 20th century Halifax tragedy. The author parallels the events in Halifax with the terrorist attacks of 9/11, with which the characters are still getting to grips; still, I found that the Halifax bits interrupted the natural flow of the rest of the novel, which I was more interested in.
This was my introduction to the works of Anita Shreve. I read somewhere this is not her best novel, so I'm going to try and read something else by hers.
The view, Harrison had noted before he'd sat down, was of still-green lawns and dormant rosebushes, of a wrought iron fence and a garden bench, of ornamental grasses and white pines. Beyond the considerable acreage was a steel ribbon of river and beyond that a range of mountains, blue-gray in the morning light.
I picked up A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve in the Italian translation (sorry I can't remember the name of the translator, and I already returned the book) at the library. I thought I'd never get to write the review. It is "an immensely readable book, but not a memorable one".
The novel centers around a wedding between two high school sweethearts, Bridget and Bill, who ten went on to marry other people. The wedding takes place in a Massachusetts inn in December 2001, and brings together a group of former friends, now forty-something people, who attended Kidd Academy together. They are Harrison, an editor; Agnes, a History teacher at Kidd Academy who's also writing a novel; Rob, a pianist who found fame and success after coming out; Jerry, an arrogant businessman; and Nora, the owner of the inn.
The wedding takes on a particular meaning because Bridget, the mother of a fifteen-year-old son, suffers from breast cancer and might not live longer than a couple years. To add to the melancholic mood, the group remembers Steven, a friend of theirs who used to be Nora's boyfriend and died in a tragic accident before graduation. Things escalate when the group gets snowed in, and some ugly secrets are revealed.
I found the book easy to read, but not extraordinarily likeable. In particular, I disliked the way the narration is alternated to the work of fiction which is being written by Agnes, dealing with the early 20th century Halifax tragedy. The author parallels the events in Halifax with the terrorist attacks of 9/11, with which the characters are still getting to grips; still, I found that the Halifax bits interrupted the natural flow of the rest of the novel, which I was more interested in.
This was my introduction to the works of Anita Shreve. I read somewhere this is not her best novel, so I'm going to try and read something else by hers.
joemdief's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second book I have read by Anita Shreve..honestly this novel sat on my shelf for years due to the titles lack of appeal, and the notion I had that it was most likely sappy and soap opera-ish. Although I would say that I may have pinned the story for what it's title seemed to give away, I dont think I misjudged. The story was interesting enough to keep me engaged for a few days, but I feel that it's climax wasnt clearly defined, as there was no clear point in my reading that I was awed, or even excited/surprised/irritated. The events could for the most part be assumed, and it's hard to determine if the book had one all encompassing meaning, or many. I did enjoy the characterization, and the way Shreve put the reader inside each of the main charaters minds and situations. Slightly boring at times, but overall a quick, flowing read.
mbowman0113's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
Twenty-seven years after they graduated from high school, seven former schoolmates meet at an inn in the Berkshires to celebrate a long-overdue wedding. During this reunion some astonishing revelations will be made. Past sins revealed, and possibly forgiven. What-ifs and Might-have-beens are examined and might lead to new choices.
I like character-driven novels that explore human emotions and motives. Shreve does a good job with her four narrators – Nora, Harrison, Agnes and Bridget. Each of them has different motives for being here. For each, the weekend will dredge up memories of a shared experience as well as the path they’ve taken to this point. I did wonder why Shreve even included the other three friends, because we really learn little about them in the book, and their interactions with the group are relatively fleeting.
Shreve also includes a novel / story that Agnes is working on – set in 1917 Halifax. Even more than the story of the wedding/reunion, the story of Innis Finch and the two Fraser sisters completely captured me, and I would really have liked to read THAT novel. I did like the way she finally dovetails the novel-within-a-novel with the story of the seven school friends, contrasting and comparing choices and outcomes, showing that while the circumstances may be different the human emotions are the same.
Twenty-seven years after they graduated from high school, seven former schoolmates meet at an inn in the Berkshires to celebrate a long-overdue wedding. During this reunion some astonishing revelations will be made. Past sins revealed, and possibly forgiven. What-ifs and Might-have-beens are examined and might lead to new choices.
I like character-driven novels that explore human emotions and motives. Shreve does a good job with her four narrators – Nora, Harrison, Agnes and Bridget. Each of them has different motives for being here. For each, the weekend will dredge up memories of a shared experience as well as the path they’ve taken to this point. I did wonder why Shreve even included the other three friends, because we really learn little about them in the book, and their interactions with the group are relatively fleeting.
Shreve also includes a novel / story that Agnes is working on – set in 1917 Halifax. Even more than the story of the wedding/reunion, the story of Innis Finch and the two Fraser sisters completely captured me, and I would really have liked to read THAT novel. I did like the way she finally dovetails the novel-within-a-novel with the story of the seven school friends, contrasting and comparing choices and outcomes, showing that while the circumstances may be different the human emotions are the same.
sam_lovett's review
3.0
An ok read. Not very much happened. Evoked the place it was set very well, but left me feeling a bit sad about humans and how they treat each other. The reason for them coming together - the wedding of two old friends - felt very contrived.
shirleytupperfreeman's review
This was okay. It's a Big Chill type story of a reunion weekend 27 years after high school graduation. The characters were filled with angst -- too much for my taste.
mschrock8's review against another edition
4.0
Old friends are brought together to celebrate a wedding between two of the group. Old stories, old hurts, old flames.
lisawhelpley's review
2.0
I put this book down several times so it took me forever to read. I kept thinking I'd start liking it. That never happened. Unrealistic. Unbelievable story line...as in not believable. And the story-within-a-story was just stupid.
katemoxie's review
5.0
LOVED this book! Hard to put down. The reference to this book being like The Big Chill is accurate.... to a point.
blebbing's review
3.0
This was okay, but I found the references to 9/11 jarring. Not jarring as in a reminder of the violence. But jarring like “Oh here I am talking about eggplant and how I love it. Don’t you remember grandpa Joe loved eggplant. He made a great pasta with it. The whole world changed on September 11th.” That stuff just didn’t flow. But the rest of the book was okay. I’ve liked other stuff of her’s much better.