The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a quirky unexpected novel about a journey. The setting is a fancy hotel called Cornwall in Newport, Rhode Island – terribly posh. The hotel is full of wedding guests and events as planned by Lila, the bride. Lila has taken care of every detail in order for everything to be perfect. At least until Phoebe Stone enters the place.
Phoebe is a professor, recently divorced and unable to become pregnant. She is finding everything overwhelming and she is so depressed that she can not handle anything more. She is sure that her life is meaningless especially after everything that has happened. She goes to Cornwall to have a last day. In the elevator Phoebe tells the bride she is going to kill herself. Lila is unable to accept this and worms her way into Lila’s life. There are shenanigans with twists and turns that are unexpected.
I was not prepared for the way the story unfolded so I found each new incident a surprise, like the friendship of Lila and Phoebe. The quirky family members, some of which I liked and disliked at the same time, were unexpected. The complexity of each story allowed each character to be showcased as intently human with all their foibles.
I did not expect to like The Wedding People by Alison Espach, even as I was reading it. However I was drawn into the story and wanted the characters to find their way. One of the points of the book certainly is about the journey we all take in life and how the various things that happen shape our journey. I don’t think you can read this novel without reflecting on the characters and maybe even your own journey. The Wedding People by Alison Espach is an unexpected novel with so much to think about.
