Christmas Wedding (Patterson)

The Christmas Wedding
James Patterson, Richard DiLallo, 2011
Little, Brown & Co.
288 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780316097390


Summary
The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill's wedding.

Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby's four children have drifted apart, each consumed by the turbulence of their own lives. They haven't celebrated Christmas together since their father's death, but when Gaby announces that she's getting married—and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day—she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays.

But the wedding isn't Gaby's only surprise—she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever. With deeply affecting characters and the emotional twists of a James Patterson thriller, The Christmas Wedding is a fresh look at family and the magic of the season. (From the publisher.)

Author Bios
• James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977, James Patterson's books have sold more than 210 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes fulltime and lives in Florida with his family.

• Richard DiLallo is a former advertising creative director. He has had numerous articles published in major magazines. He lives in Manhattan with his wife. (From the publisher.)

Book Reviews
It's clever, light and as welcoming as an ocean breeze.
People

A lighthearted novel about a widow who suddenly decides to re-marry on Christmas Day.... A perfect plot for a Meryl Streep or Diane Lane happily-ever-after movie.
Kirkus Reviews

Discussion Questions
Use our LitLovers Book Club Resources; they can help with discussions for any book:

• How to Discuss a Book (helpful discussion tips)
• Generic Discussion Questions—Fiction and Nonfiction
• Read-Think-Talk (a guided reading chart)

Also consider these questions for The Christmas Wedding—they were kindly submitted by Sylvie Barton, from Mesa, AZ. Sylvie is the organizer of The Mesa Thematic Book and Movie Club.

1. Was the story credible? The characters credible?

2. Claire’s been summoned by Hank, her husband, and she says, “She did not want a fight today.  Or any day, really.  She couldn’t stand his blow-ups, but she didn’t know what to do about them.  The kids loved Hank.  Keep the peace, Claire, she reminded herself.”  What would be your suggestion for Claire?

3.  On page 27, the author is writing about Claire and says, “Claire knew she was strong—she’d had the twins via natural childbirth (26 hours in labor), still ran three miles a day—but, shoot, she thought, you can be the strongest person in the world and still make bad decisions and have a pretty miserable life.”  Are Claire’s attributes truly feats of strength?  In what area, if any, is Claire lacking strength?
4.  Did you find any similarity in all of the women characters in this book?

5.  In the first video that Gaby sends to her children she states, “I needed a big change.  Everybody needs a change.  If you don’t change, you’re stuck in a rut.”  Do agree or disagree with her statement and why or why not?

6.  In Gaby’s second video she states:  “I think that most people can lead very satisfying lives, as long as they don’t spend too much time staring at their own belly buttons and worrying about things that aren’t within their control."  What do you think Gaby is trying to say through this message?  Do agree or disagree?

10. What are your feelings or any insights about Jacob’s motto:  “Seize what’s been handed you.  Make smart decisions.  Make decisions because—he said it again—life is a temporary situation.”

11.Marty imparts his wisdom to Gaby’s students on pages 119 and 120.  Do you agree or disagree with this pep talk that he provides them. Is it true or false that the most interesting people are in books?

12. On page 121 Marty states:  “You see, one of the best things about reading is that you’ll always have something to think about when you’re not reading.”  Is reading the only source that provides this?

13. Claire asks for her mom’s approval or disapproval to end her marriage with Hank and Gaby states:  “You don’t need me to approve or disapprove.  A marriage is the most private thing in the world.  Only the people in it know if it works for them or doesn’t.”  Do you agree or disagree with Gaby? What are your thoughts on this statement?

19.What are your concerns about this book?

20.At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters?

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