Garden Party: A Novel

In the enchanting novel by Grace Dane Mazur, a rehearsal dinner brings together two disparate families in a sparkling social satire set over the course of a single day. The story takes place in Brookline, Massachusetts, where a dinner in the garden is set to unite two families on the night before the wedding.

The Barlows, a family of lawyers steeped in the world of Wall Street, trusts, copyrights, corporations, war crimes, golf, and tennis, are set to meet the Cohens, a family of wildly impractical intellectuals. Among the Cohens are a biologist who has studied the glow of scorpions in the dark, a social activist who is constantly in need of rescuing, and a historian of ancient Babylonian cooking who is determined to figure out whether Time is truly shaped like baklava while hosting the dinner party.

The novel begins with the Cohens brewing their morning coffee and contemplating the work they must do to prepare their house and gardens for the evening's event. It culminates late that same night, after a series of fiascoes and miracles. Over the course of the day, it becomes evident that neither family is more eccentric than the other.

Featuring an ensemble cast of exceptionally vivid characters ranging in age from three to the early nineties, Mazur's wonderfully lyrical novel is an irresistible portrayal of miscommunication, secrets, and the power of love. The Barlows, a family steeped in the trappings of success, and the Cohens, a family of unconventional intellectuals, come together in a sparkling social satire that explores the nuances of family, communication, and the bonds that can unite even the most disparate of groups.

As the day unfolds, the reader is drawn into the lives of these characters, each with their own quirks, insecurities, and desires. The narrative skillfully navigates the dynamics between the two families, revealing the complexities and challenges of bringing together individuals from vastly different backgrounds and perspectives.

Ultimately, Mazur's novel is a heartwarming and insightful exploration of the human experience, celebrating the power of love to overcome barriers and foster understanding. Through its richly drawn characters and compelling storyline, the book invites the reader to reflect on the nature of family, the importance of communication, and the transformative potential of embracing our differences.

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