The People We Hate at the Wedding

At one time or another, we’ve all hated people at a wedding. Which is what make this story deviously fun. It’s full of characters you love to hate. Can’t wait to see the movie.

Regret wasting my time and money on this book. The characters are despicable and boring. The writing is flat and pretentious. I have never taken the time to write a negative review of a book, but I hope this will keep at least one reader from this disaster.

Otherwise it is just depressing and cynical and I recommend you pick something that doesn't make you want to smash your head against something sharp. Totally not worth $12.99.

If someone could take the worst moments from your life, those missteps, mistakes and bad endings and then use those as your ‘headlines’ as they precede you through every interaction with family, that would just start to explain this book. Three characters are the foundation for this book about family, dysfunction, expectations and appearances as an invitation to a wedding is received. From the mother who doesn’t speak to her son, to her daughter and his sister who has always maintained a level of animosity, the three voices tell their stories in distinct and clearly presented voices. While some family stories are funny, these are the stories that cling to the worst moments for each person described: messy, often mean and unapologetically amusing, if dark – as long as it isn’t your family or your story. There are old wounds and resentments, finding life in the facades that everyone puts up, many simply for the interactions with (and because of) family. While we never actually get to the wedding, about half-way in these alternating viewpoints of the upcoming wedding and family dynamics, we see the partners of each person chiming in…. All of this presents a wonderful character study that reveals as much about the speakers as those they are speaking on: the thinly veiled insults, the pleasure in discomfiture of others, and the ability of each character to be completely blind to their own part in each dysfunctional moment. I thought that so much of the mean-spirited humor may be wearing: but sometimes the perfectly formed phrase is JUST what is needed, providing an instant (if more than slightly jaded) image of the person, moment or scene unfolding before us. Satire is meant to convey a touch of over-the-top actions and reactions, and most readers will be thankful that their own family and relations aren’t quite to this level, but there are bits that are sure to be familiar to many. Far different from what I expected, the story was quick reading, cleverly phrased and hard to put down. A favorite for those who like their wit to contain a bite, and are happy to see tumult and dysfunction that is (hopefully) far worse than that around their own gatherings. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.