The Wedding People

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Judging from the title and cover, what did you think the novel was going to be about? What did you think its plot and tone would be? Did it meet or defy your expectations?
• Espach’s other novels, Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance and The Adults, also blend drama and humor in unexpected ways. If you have read either of these novels, how do they compare to The Wedding People? If you have not, has this novel made you interested in Espach’s other work?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• This novel deals with Phoebe’s struggle to find her purpose and sense of self. Have you ever felt as if you lost either of these things? What did you do to regain them?
• Phoebe gets swept up in the activities of Lila and her wedding. Have you ever found yourself situated among an unexpected social circle or group of friends? How did this group affect your actions and behaviors in a way that a more familiar group might not have?
• In positive and negative ways, Phoebe feels personally connected to her room in the Cornwall Inn, which is also a reflection of her character.