45 pages 1 hour read

Steven Rowley

The Celebrants

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Steven Rowley's The Celebrants follows five friends—Jordan, Jordy, Marielle, Naomi, and Craig—who regularly meet in Big Sur, California, to hold "living funerals" honoring a pact made after their friend Alec's death. These gatherings help them confront mortality and deepen their bond even as they face life's challenges and personal transformations. The book addresses sensitive topics such as drug overdose, suicide, terminal illness, and nonconsensual sex.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley is a poignant exploration of friendship and mortality that balances humor and emotion. Critics praise its well-drawn characters and insightful reflection on life, although some feel the pacing lags at times. Overall, it’s a heartfelt narrative that resonates with readers seeking both laughter and introspection.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Celebrants?

A reader who would enjoy Steven Rowley's The Celebrants is typically someone who appreciates deeply emotional narratives and explores themes of friendship, loss, and celebration of life. Fans of Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale will likely find similar resonance in Rowley's touching storytelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

LGBTQ

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Relationships: Friendship