The Christening Party

THE CHRISTENING PARTY

by Francis Steegmuller

 

Nomination: National Book Finalist 1961

 

Date Read: May 19, 2022

 

I’m not entirely sure that The Christening Party has a purpose or a point. Aside from discussing all the family’s various backgrounds and relationships, nothing actually happens here except for the choosing of godparents, the christening itself and an estranged family member’s husband dying of a heart attack. Perhaps Steegmuller meant this as a character study? I feel like I’m missing something. 

 

Seen through the eyes of a 7-year old boy, the narrator (do we ever really learn his name?) describes each family member and the drama associated with them as the immediate and extended family arrive for the christening, which is also a sort of family reunion of sorts. Our narrator is still unsure of the benefits of having a younger sister, but he is adequately intrigued by the backgrounds of his relatives.

 

I generally love older novels and was dismayed when I saw the low rankings for this book on Goodreads but perhaps now I know why. I am quite disappointed.

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