Behind one of literature’s most famous names is a story of devastating loss. O’Farrell places Agnes rightfully at its centre, capturing the labour of a mother left to carry on.
‘The Wedding People’ by Alison Espach
4 August 2025
by Chris
This was an enjoyable read, though I felt it skimmed the surface of some of the heavier themes it raised, suicide and depression in particular. The premise initially drew me in, and while it wasn’t quite the page-turner I expected, I was still curious enough to see how it all unfolded.
Posted by Chris
4 August 2025
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‘The Wedding People’ by Alison Espach
This was an enjoyable read, though I felt it skimmed the surface of some of the heavier themes it raised, suicide and depression in particular. The premise initially drew me in, and while it wasn’t quite the page-turner I expected, I was still curious enough to see how it all unfolded.
This was an enjoyable read, though I felt it skimmed the surface of some of the heavier themes it raised, suicide and depression in particular. At times, it seemed to soften these issues a bit too much, which could come across as trivialising to some readers.
The premise initially drew me in, and while it wasn’t quite the page-turner I expected, I was still curious enough to see how it all unfolded. I did feel the sudden reappearance of the ex-husband towards the end was a bit forced (he vanished almost as quickly as he arrived) and didn’t seem necessary for Phoebe to come to the realisation that she no longer wanted him.
That said, I was satisfied with the ending, predictable as it was. Oddly enough, I even found myself wishing it had been more literal and on the nose about where Phoebe ended up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
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‘Hamnet’ by Maggie O’Farrell
Behind one of literature’s most famous names is a story of devastating loss. O’Farrell places Agnes rightfully at its centre, capturing the labour of a mother left to carry on.
‘The Correspondent’ by Virginia Evans
A sharp, funny and deeply human portrait, told through letters that carry more weight than any modern message ever could.
‘Bring the House Down’ by Charlotte Runcie
A novel with potential that ultimately falls short – hints at big ideas about power and criticism struggle to turn into something cohesive.
‘Heart the Lover’ by Lily King
An immersive reflection on love and memory, Heart The Lover traces how early choices and missed opportunities continue to shape a life long after they are made.