The Wedding People
Summary
Phoebe Stone arrives at a luxurious Rhode Island hotel with a dark plan: she intends to end her life. Her marriage has fallen apart, her academic career has stalled, and she sees no path forward. But when she discovers the hotel is hosting the elaborate wedding of a seemingly perfect couple, she becomes unexpectedly drawn into the festivities. The bride, Lila, inexplicably welcomes Phoebe into the wedding party, and over the course of the weekend, Phoebe finds herself entangled in the lives of the wedding guests. As she observes the chaos beneath the wedding's polished surface—family tensions, romantic complications, and hidden anxieties—Phoebe begins to reconsider her own choices. Both darkly comic and deeply moving, The Wedding People explores loneliness, connection, and the unexpected moments that can shift our perspective on life.
About Alison Espach
Alison Espach is an American author and professor. She holds an MFA from Washington University in St. Louis and teaches creative writing at Providence College. Her previous novel, The Adults (2011), received critical acclaim. Her work often explores social dynamics and emotional complexity with wit and insight.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to guide your book club discussion or personal reflection.
- 1
How does the wedding setting—with its emphasis on celebration and new beginnings—contrast with Phoebe's initial state of mind?
- 2
What draws Lila to include Phoebe in her wedding, and what does this say about Lila's own needs?
- 3
How does the novel handle the serious topic of suicide while maintaining moments of humor?
- 4
What ultimately shifts Phoebe's perspective over the course of the weekend?