Helpful Score: 8
This is not my normal genre as I am more of a mystery, horror, fantasy reader. I starting reading this not expecting to finish it and then I got caught up in the lives of these people and had to see it to the end. It draws you in and keeps you wondering about life and it's many curves and turns. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it highly!
The author is a great story teller and this was a very easy read. I really enjoyed the book Agnes was writing about the blast in Halifax in the 1930's. But I found this book very sad - about relationships that never were or missed chances. It makes me appreciate my life and my loved ones.
Helpful Score: 7
Some of Anita Shreve's books have been very enjoyable for me, such as The Pilot's Wife and The Weight of Water. Others, I have not enjoyed as much, such as Fortune's Rocks. So, I didn't know what to expect when I came upon the audiobook of this novel at my used bookstore. I was unexpectedly surprised to find that I enjoyed this novel very much. It goes into the past and present lives of several old college friends attending the second marriage of 2 in their group. The bride has terminal cancer, and having survived 2 bouts of cancer and 1 LONG bout of chemotherapy myself, I could really relate to her story. What she goes through is definitely what a cancer patient experiences. Ms. Shreve obviously has some personal knowledge of what that entails. That is the main thing that made this book so special to me. I also highly recommend it for fans of Rosamunde Pilcher or Maeve Binchy. Ms. Shreve introduces us to the main characters and builds their stories in much the same way as Pilcher and Binchy. This is one of those rare books that should be saved for a long, rainy weekend and enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa in front of the fire.
Helpful Score: 3
This is a wonderfully written story of love and life. It is a beautiful story that wanders through the lives of friends during a weekend reunion. It is about life and love, hopes and dreams, expectations and reality. I really enjoyed this book. I think it is one of her best. A true story teller's story.
Helpful Score: 3
Not my favorite Shreve book, but a good read anyway.
Helpful Score: 2
This book starts out with a bang and gradually fizzles out. I had the feeling that the author lost interest in the characters and plot and just wanted to finish writing it. I kept reading it with expectation but was sorely disappointed as the plot deteriorated into a boring, silly narration.
Helpful Score: 2
Shreve has a gift for creating stories with very realistic characters and story lines that draw you on.
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful read, friends gather for a wedding of re-united lovers. Reads fast but is still engrossing.
Helpful Score: 2
SLOW!!
I did not make it past the first 100 pages. None of the characters intrested me at all.
I did not make it past the first 100 pages. None of the characters intrested me at all.
Helpful Score: 2
Very interesting characters. Takes place over a weekend wedding. Interesting to see how former friends come together.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book, great stories and plots running side by side
Helpful Score: 1
This book changed my life.
Helpful Score: 1
A story of revelation and recrimination, forgiveness and redemption. A Wedding In December is Anita Shreve's most ambitious and moving novel to date, probing the mysteries of the human heart with the grace and skill that have made her "one of the finest novelists of her time." I enjoyed this book very much!
The story takes place over a weekend, and is very well written.
Helpful Score: 1
This novel brings seven former schoolmates together after more than 20 years to attend a wedding at an inn in the Berkshire Mountains. The tight bond held by this group of friends was shattered years earlier when one of their own died unexpectedly. The blossoming relationships and potential of each of these central characters jackknifed with the death of this friend, and the wedding reunion gives the characters an opportunity to seek out a resolution for the paths they did not follow.
This is the second book I have read recently in which the others who have read it with me have been dissatisfied. This book was chosen as our December read for my book club. Many, if not all, of the other book club members were turned off by the unhappy marriages and questionable moral behavior that plays out in the novel. (But, then again, this is a church book club!) I, however, was struck by this book. While I did not completely understand the motivation of the characters, I was moved by their strong inner turmoil and their struggles to overcome weakness and temptation.
Despite the setting (which is very appealing to the imagination), the book, like the other Anita Shreve novels I have read (The Pilot's Wife and The Weight of Water), is shrouded in sadness and regret. The characters are consumed with unhappiness and a feeling of general unease. A member of my book club shared that she felt the characters in this novel were underdeveloped. I believe Anita Shreve intentionally writes her characters to be vague. Like real people, they are complicated and troubled. The reader must infer understanding of the characters through their obscure thoughts and behavior.
The most interesting part of this novel for me was the story within a story. In the book, the character Agnes, a lonely classmate pining for a former teacher, is writing an historical fiction short story about the Halifax disaster. The explosion that occurred in the city of Halifax in Novia Scotia during the winter of 1917 parallels the tragedy of 9/11 in this book- the characters in the novel are reuniting merely two months after 9/11. The story of Innes and Hazel (as written by Agnes in the novel) is told during and after the Halifax disaster and their relationship mirrors the others in the novel in it's tempting impossibity set against a recent tragedy. Prior to reading this novel, I had never heard of the Halifax explosion and I was saddened to learn of the deaths and injuries that occurred during that significant historical event.
This book is not a good one to pick up if you are looking for a lighthearted read. While the novel is easy to follow and won't take long to finish, a melancholy feeling permeates every word and may linger for awhile after you put the book down.
This is the second book I have read recently in which the others who have read it with me have been dissatisfied. This book was chosen as our December read for my book club. Many, if not all, of the other book club members were turned off by the unhappy marriages and questionable moral behavior that plays out in the novel. (But, then again, this is a church book club!) I, however, was struck by this book. While I did not completely understand the motivation of the characters, I was moved by their strong inner turmoil and their struggles to overcome weakness and temptation.
Despite the setting (which is very appealing to the imagination), the book, like the other Anita Shreve novels I have read (The Pilot's Wife and The Weight of Water), is shrouded in sadness and regret. The characters are consumed with unhappiness and a feeling of general unease. A member of my book club shared that she felt the characters in this novel were underdeveloped. I believe Anita Shreve intentionally writes her characters to be vague. Like real people, they are complicated and troubled. The reader must infer understanding of the characters through their obscure thoughts and behavior.
The most interesting part of this novel for me was the story within a story. In the book, the character Agnes, a lonely classmate pining for a former teacher, is writing an historical fiction short story about the Halifax disaster. The explosion that occurred in the city of Halifax in Novia Scotia during the winter of 1917 parallels the tragedy of 9/11 in this book- the characters in the novel are reuniting merely two months after 9/11. The story of Innes and Hazel (as written by Agnes in the novel) is told during and after the Halifax disaster and their relationship mirrors the others in the novel in it's tempting impossibity set against a recent tragedy. Prior to reading this novel, I had never heard of the Halifax explosion and I was saddened to learn of the deaths and injuries that occurred during that significant historical event.
This book is not a good one to pick up if you are looking for a lighthearted read. While the novel is easy to follow and won't take long to finish, a melancholy feeling permeates every word and may linger for awhile after you put the book down.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book! It was so engrossing I read it in a day.
Helpful Score: 1
If you love Anita Shreve, you will not be disappointed by this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I did not finish this book, I could not get into it.
Helpful Score: 1
not the best thing i've read by shreve. it started out very slow, but got better towards the end.
Helpful Score: 1
A reunion of high school friends after 20 plus years can raise some unresolved issues. This book held my attention.
Helpful Score: 1
Another engaging Anita Shreve story.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. a little slow at first but worth the read
Helpful Score: 1
Lovely story!
Helpful Score: 1
This book is very well written. Shreve has the ability to describe scenes in such detail that you begin to imagine yourself as one of the characters. The protagonist is writing a short story at the same time that she is attending the wedding so it is almost as if you are reading two books at once. There are many parallels with the short story and the novel that are nicely woven together.
The book may leave you feeling lonely. It also leaves you feeling that anything is possible and nothing in this life is guaranteed.
The book may leave you feeling lonely. It also leaves you feeling that anything is possible and nothing in this life is guaranteed.
Helpful Score: 1
a fairly easy read - interesting look at regrets in relationships
Helpful Score: 1
Not my favorite by Shreve, but still a worthwhile read.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book, but it was a little slow in the beginning. I stuck with it and it did get better as the story went on. I didn't care very much for the story within the story written by Agnes, and found myself skipping those parts. Not one of my favorites by Anita Shreve, but a good read overall.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book..of course I don't think Anita Shreve could write a bad one!!I got involved with the characters very easily and it was realistic..this could happen to anyone of us and probably has.
Helpful Score: 1
At an Inn in the Berkshire Mts of western Mass., seven former schoolmates gather a wedding. It is a disparate crew that gathers in the gorgeous inn. Throughout the weekend, the guests uncover the choices and chances that have transformed them in the years since high school. Very interesting to read.
Helpful Score: 1
I really had trouble getting into this novel and had trouble finishing it as well. I felt the characters and subplots were too many and no one character stood out. I kept expecting it to get more exciting but it really never did.
I liked a couple of her other books better - Light on Snow, and Deep End of the Ocean. The beginning of this one was a bit slow, it picked up at the end. A lot like "The Big Chill." A group of classmates reunited after 27 years, for one of their members' wedding. They all have secrets which come out, including the circumstances of the tragic death of one of their friends back in school. Predictable.
Not one of her best.
Really good!!!!
Shreve always writes well. Past events play into the present as former classmates gather for a wedding. It's a story about their memories, rerets, forgiveness & redemption. As always, Shreve is a very good read!
Not my favorite Anita Shreve book but still a good read.
Good book. Real fast read.
Wonderful book about a reunion of high school friends
It was disappointing after reading the Pilot's Wife. I found the story to be slow and plodding with no real resolution at the end.
Very fun read..
I expected more than what I got, it was hard to finish
I bought this book, and was not impressed. I tried reading it several times, and I could never get through the first few chapters. I don't recommend it, however, if you get through those chapters, it might be great!
This is a great story of old friends getting together and learning a lot about one another and themselves. I could easily see each character and what was happening to them.
The story itself had great potential but fell short ending with a lot of loose ends. One character is writing a story that is mingled in with the story that it is a little confusing and distracting.
Poignant story of characters meeting after many years together at a wedding. This brings about memories of a tragic event that had affected the lives of hteses characters. Beautiful setting. Great story, beautifully written. Susan
One of my favorite novels from a favorite writer - in bringing together a group of friends who have, for the most part, lost contact since high school, Shreve deals with the question of "What if?" and reminds us all of the power of the past.
Wonderful story of a second wedding that re-unites high school friends after many years.
I did not find this book to be nearly as interesting as many of her other books...not enough action for my liking.. more of a psuedo-intellectual discourse she seemed to be aiming for... I think she missed her mark with this one! I'm re-posting it anyway because someone else may feel differently about it.
seven friends gather at an inn in the Berhsire mountains for the wedding of a former classmate. As they renew their friendship the tragic events of an accident that happened to them 27 years ago is revealed.
I read this book after loving the Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve and was a little disappointed. There was a lot going on in this novel with 7 main characters and then one of the characters writing a seperate story within the book. The novel didn't pick up until nearly the end for me.
Good read!!
Super!!!!!
At an inn in the Berkshire Mountains of western Mass., seven former schoolmates gather for a wedding. Throughout the wedding weekend, the guests uncover the choices and chances that have transformed them in the years since high school, and delve for the first time into what really happened that night that changed all their lives.
Story of forgotten love resurfacing...
Another Shreave great! The simplicity of the story line somehow keeps you reading on to see how things end. Touching. Realistic. And definitely another Shreave hit!
Another Shreve melodrama... no surprises, but a good storyline.
A great read.
Honestly, very disappointing. I expect better from Shreve and this was boring.
I love Anita Shreve but this is one of my least favorite of her novels, but only because of the morality of a few of the story lines. I would suggest you read it if you like Anita Shreve but it isn't in the same ballpark as The Pilots Wife and Bodysurfing.
7 former schoolmates gather at an inn in the Bershire Mountains to celebrate a wedding. It is greatert than 15 years after their high school graduation and there are surprises. Engaging--wanted to keep reading to see how the story would turn out.
Almost as good as the Pilot's Wife, this is still a good read. As usual Anita Shreve's character's are quite human and not so perfect, in other words believable.
This was a great story of love and loss and in some cases, love again. It makes one remember how fragile our lives are.
This was, by far, one of the Shreve's better books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in less than 48 hours.
I just can't get into her books. this is the third book of hers that I have tried to read and failed to get past the first 100 pages. My mom read this book and didn't think it would ever end.
A book rich in character development- I feel I know each of these individuals! Great story!
Another fabulous Anita Shreve. Her characters have so much depth. I never want the book to end.
I really enjoyed this book.
At an inn in the Berkshire Mountains, seven former schoolmates gather to celebrate a wedding. This reunion becomes an occasion of astonishing revelations as they recall an incident that touched them all many years ago.
This was a good book about old friends
Captivating characters make you want to keep reading to find out what happened to get them to this place & time.
Shreve writes from the heart
page turner
page turner
Excellent story, similiar to "the Big Chill". I couldn,t put it down. Highly recommend this one!!!!!!
I agree with another reader who compared it to "The Big Chill". Very good story. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I love all of Anita Shreve's books. This one didn't let me down.
Probably Anita Shreve's best. A wonderful, well told story.
Not her best work.
I devoured this book. Very enjoyable.
At an inn in the Berkshire Mountains, seven former schoolmates gather for a wedding, which becomes a reunion with astonshing facts that each schoolmate reveals. A good quick read.
This book was terribly slow. The first half of the book is all snippets from the characters' former lives 20 years earlier. I didn't even know what was happening until half way through, and even then what was happening was not much. Ironically, one of the characters, Agnes, was writing a story within the book, and her story was more interesting than this book's storyline. I did finish the book, but the journey to get there was painfully boring.
On a side note, I'm currently halfway through "Light on Snow" by the same author, and that book is much more interesting.
On a side note, I'm currently halfway through "Light on Snow" by the same author, and that book is much more interesting.
High school classmates come together for the wedding of two of their own. Love, loss, and secrets.
I could not put this book down, it is very stunning novel.
I couldn't get into this one. Normally I love this author!
Great book about college friends meeting for a wedding and reunion. It tells eahc of their stories and how they haqve learned about themselves.
Read carefully, Anita Shreeve never goes where you think she's going. It made me think about love and why we marry the people we do.
Unputdownable....
Anita Shreve is an excellent writer. This is the first book of hers that I've read, but it was good.
Excellent book.
OK. I liked it. Not a ton.
I love Anita Shreve's work and was really looking forward to this book. However, there is just too much going on to make sense and have a smooth narrative. Several former college colleagues reunite at a bed and breakfast for a wedding. Shreve writes intermittently about the wedding and each of the individuals and their various lives and relationships, cutting in and out of the story at hand. Lots of detailed descriptions...too many, if you ask me...which take away from the plot. I have been enjoying Patterson's suspense novels and perhaps that's why Shreve hit me as sluggish. If you have all the time in the world to be patient with rambling story lines, you might enjoy this. Otherwise, it's a disappointment.
AUDIO BOOK ON TAPE
UNABRIDGED, on 6 cassettes
Read by actress, Linda Emond
Anita Shreve is on of my favorite writers, and I think this is one of her best novels.
The story's setting is a wedding in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. It centers around a renunion, of sorts, of old high school friends whose lives were scattered by a tragedy which occurred shortly before graduation.
UNABRIDGED, on 6 cassettes
Read by actress, Linda Emond
Anita Shreve is on of my favorite writers, and I think this is one of her best novels.
The story's setting is a wedding in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. It centers around a renunion, of sorts, of old high school friends whose lives were scattered by a tragedy which occurred shortly before graduation.
Hard to follow story line as it bounced in and out of the fictional story being written by the character agnes.
Writing with the fluent narrative artistry and the acute grasp of human motivation that distinguish all of her bestselling novels, Anita Shreve tells the compelling story of seven former schoolmates who gather at an inn in the Berkshires to celebrate a wedding. Their reunion becomes the occasion of astonishing revelations, recrimination, and forgiveness as the friends collectively recall a long-ago night that forever marked each of their lives.
At an inn in the Berkshire Mountains, seven former schoolmates gather to celebrate a wedding - a reunion that becomes the occasion of astonishing revaltions as the friends collectively recall a long ago night that indelibly marked each of thier lives.
A great read as are all of Shreve's novels. The characters are complex and it has little unexpected twists and turns as do many of her novels. Wonderful story.
This is her second best book, in my opinion.
This novel stands up to Shreve's ability to hook you from the first page. When seven former schoolmates meet at an inn in New Hampshire they are threatened by old memories that ultimately reveal uncomfortable secrets from their past. They all go home with a new beginning to their lives. An excellent read!
This is not up to her usual standards. I could not even finish it.
I couldn't really get into this book but someone else might like it.
From the back of book: "At an inn in the Berkshire Mountains, seven former schoolmates gather to celebrate a wedding - a reunion that becomes the occasion of astonishing revelations as the friends collectively recall a long-ago night that indelibly marked each of their lives..."
From Publishers Weekly
ABig Chilllike group reunites for a 40-something wedding in this melancholy story of missed opportunities, lingering regrets and imagined alternatives by Shreve (The Last Time They Met). Bill and Bridget were sweethearts at Maine's Kidd Academy who rediscovered one another at their 25th reunion. Bridget was already divorced; Bill left his family; the two have now gathered their Kidd coterie to witness their hasty weddingBridget has breast cancerat widow Nora's western Massachusetts inn. The death of charismatic schoolmate Stephen at a drunken high school party hovers over the event. Stephen's then-roommate, Harrison, now a married literary publisher, remains particularly tormented by it, especially since he had (and still has) romantic feelings for Nora, who was Stephen's then-girlfriend. Abrasive Wall Street businessman Jerry, now-out-of-the-closet pianist Rob, single Agnes (who teaches at Kidd and has a secret of her own) and various children round things out. Tensions build as the group gets snowed in, and someone gets drunk enough to say what everyone's been thinking. Though Shreve's plot, characters and dialogue are predictable (as are her inevitable 9/11 rehashes), she sure-handedly steers everyone through their inward dramas, and the actions they take (and don't) are Hollywood satisfying.
ABig Chilllike group reunites for a 40-something wedding in this melancholy story of missed opportunities, lingering regrets and imagined alternatives by Shreve (The Last Time They Met). Bill and Bridget were sweethearts at Maine's Kidd Academy who rediscovered one another at their 25th reunion. Bridget was already divorced; Bill left his family; the two have now gathered their Kidd coterie to witness their hasty weddingBridget has breast cancerat widow Nora's western Massachusetts inn. The death of charismatic schoolmate Stephen at a drunken high school party hovers over the event. Stephen's then-roommate, Harrison, now a married literary publisher, remains particularly tormented by it, especially since he had (and still has) romantic feelings for Nora, who was Stephen's then-girlfriend. Abrasive Wall Street businessman Jerry, now-out-of-the-closet pianist Rob, single Agnes (who teaches at Kidd and has a secret of her own) and various children round things out. Tensions build as the group gets snowed in, and someone gets drunk enough to say what everyone's been thinking. Though Shreve's plot, characters and dialogue are predictable (as are her inevitable 9/11 rehashes), she sure-handedly steers everyone through their inward dramas, and the actions they take (and don't) are Hollywood satisfying.
This book is not a hardcover. It is a large paperback with ISBN-10 (above).
