Bill and Bridget, who were always together during their last year of high school, are finally getting married 27 years later. They schedule the joyful event between the winter holidays and chemotherapy treatments for Bridget's almost certainly terminal breast cancer. They plan a tiny wedding ceremony and invite only the people who had known them as a high school couple. Although their classmates from the private Maine boarding school have not kept in touch, Bill and Bridget inspire an impromptu reunion at a renovated inn. Their old friend Nora opened the inn after her overbearing poet husband passed away, and she organizes the details of the wedding weekend for the group. When classmate Harrison realizes that Nora, his first love, is widowed, he revisits his regrets and missed opportunities, although he still loves his wife and son back in Toronto. Although Agnes is not the lonely spinster everyone imagines, she hasn't been honest about her life as a teacher at their old school. Much to everyone's surprise, one man brings his boyfriend to the wedding, and another man's brash personality has intensified with age until he's almost unbearably rude.

Narrated through the eyes of a small cast of characters, the story is created over three days, but draws on a lifetime of flashbacks and memories. Although no one wants to mention Bridget's cancer, the group cannot avoid talking about the one event that changed each of their lives -- the sudden death of their friend Stephen at the end of their senior year. Stephen's story unravels through the small details that are revealed in individual memories. As the time for the ceremony draws near, the group reflects on how the world has changed since they were together in high school, but they also note privately the small moments in their lives that have caused grief, fear, secrets and regrets.

This is the first book by acclaimed novelist Anita Shreve that I've had the pleasure of reading. With amazing depth, Shreve allows several characters to share their viewpoints, multiple perspectives on careers and marriage, 9/11 and cancer, coincidence and misgivings. Using the framework of a reunion to reflect on the past, Shreve deftly examines the themes of forgiveness and redemption. I found myself marking poignant quotes to remember later, particularly her insight on reunions as opportunities to unburden ourselves of secrets and speak now what could not be spoken before. Occasionally, a particularly witty line made me laugh out loud, although overall this was an emotionally moving and highly recommended human drama.