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45 pages 1 hour read

Steven Rowley

The Celebrants

Steven RowleyFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Book Brief

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Steven Rowley

The Celebrants

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • Contemporary

Topic
Publication Year

2023

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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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.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.8

47,876 ratings

59%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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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.

3.8

47,876 ratings

59%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • Contemporary

Topic
Publication Year

2023

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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