The Dinner List: A Novel

Quick note on this review. I read this book in late February 2019. February. That was months ago. And when I finished, I started writing this review. But honestly, this story was so beautiful and I loved it so much I had trouble getting my thoughts down. Initially I borrowed The Dinner List from the library, but when I finished I bought myself this copy because I know I will want to read it again.

Honestly, looking here at what I’m writing, I’m still not saying a whole lot about this book. I’m still having trouble getting my thoughts down. But I can tell you this book gives me all of the feels, and it might just be my absolute favorite read of 2019.

I was looking for an audio book for the car, and randomly picked up The Dinner List at the library. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I figured you couldn’t go wrong with a story that featured a dinner with Audrey Hepburn.

I loved this story.

Sabrina walks into a restaurant to have her annual birthday dinner at a table for two with her best friend Jessica. Instead she finds a table for six – Jessica, her (dead) father, an old professor, her ex-boyfriend Tobias, and Audrey Hepburn. It’s Sabrina’s list of the five people she would like to have dinner with if she could.

How did they get here? Why is this dinner even happening? The book alternates chapters between the dinner itself and Sabrina and Tobias’ decade-long (dare I say epic?) love story as Sabrina struggles with understanding the purpose of this meal and where these five people fit into her life.

I loved this book. I know, I’ve said that a lot in this review. But it’s true. It is one of those books that spoke to me long after it ended. The concept, the characters, the love story.

One of my favorite parts was a game that Sabrina and Tobias would play throughout: “Five words to describe your life right now, right this moment.”

My five after reading The Dinner List: Love. Heartbreak. Magic. Beautiful. Hope.

Although I could not put the book down, it sounds strange to say that I’m not sure how to rate it or what to say about it. I think the reason I couldn’t put it down was because I kept thinking there was going to be more to it. I loved the concept but really couldn’t understand what her connection was to some of the five. With the exception of her boyfriend/fiancé, the storyline was pretty predictable especially when it came to her father issues. The issues she had with her best friend were really immature and didn’t really make sense as to why she was invited. The professor was a big question for me too. There was never really any connection in the backstory as to his importance in her life or why we should really care. Of course, inviting Audrey Hepburn was understandable because who of us wouldn’t name someone famous as our five. All in all, the book was good but pretty depressing. I would never discourage other readers from reading it. I just found her choices, considering the backstory, a little confusing and uninteresting. The whole story was pretty depressing. I feel she didn’t leave that dinner with any real closure or life changing answers.

Intriguing premise with interesting plot twist. The actions and motives are relatable, yet the relationships could have been explored deeper - I struggled to really feel the gravity/strength of Sabrina and Tobias' bond or complexity of the other relationships - but maybe that is intentional, highlighting Sabby's juvenile nature. It feels more like a book grappling with how one imagines grief would feel like than what grief actually feels like. Enjoyable though and I certainly teared up at points.

The Dinner List was a quick read with an interesting premise. What began as a simple mental exercise with a college roommate (choose any five people, living or dead, to join you for one meal) suddenly becomes a reality on Sabrina's 30th birthday. The result is an unexpected encounter with four people from Sabrina's personal life... and Audrey Hepburn.

On its face, this seems like it would make for a light, fun read. Serle's novel, however, drags her protagonist into a drawn-out exchange with people who represent a monumental amount of emotional baggage for her. Yes, even Audrey, in a way. While there are fun and light moments in the novel, it primarily feels like an analysis of where Sabrina's life has gone wrong and if/how she can move on from those things.

While I enjoyed this novel overall, it felt like there was something lacking. I think part of the issue is that fundamental weirdness of Audrey Hepburn's presence as the only person on the list Sabrina did not know personally. The presence of only one stranger, and such an iconic one at that, brought something of a lopsided impression to the plot that I don't feel would have been there if there had been an additional stranger at the dinner. As it was, it felt a bit like a celebrity barging into an intimate family discussion.

All in all, the book was good but a little sad. I knew that there would be moments of sadness, as all books have a token od sadness written into them, but I felt like it was heavy. I would never discourage other readers from reading it. I just found her choices, considering the backstory, a little confusing and uninteresting. I wasn't a fan of the flipping 'back and forth' between the present and the past.

I think I would've liked it more if there was a definite solution, almost like a flash forward. Maybe Sabrina moved back to California, maybe she met her sisters, maybe she met someone new. I'm not sure. I just felt like the ending was a little unfinished, and while I always appreciate an unfinished ending that allows you to imagine something more, I felt like with so many unanswered questions I would've liked a more concrete ending.