The Five-Star Weekend

Hollis’s daughter, Caroline, studies film at New York University. Vulnerable after her father’s death, she begins an affair with her mentor, Isaac Opoku. Caroline enjoyed a close relationship with Matthew, and she damages her relationship with her mother amid her intense grief: “Caroline is furious with her mother for reasons she can’t articulate, and the stark truth is that Caroline is still in so much emotional pain that holding a grudge feels good” (36). A product of a generation raised on social media and brief, limited content, Caroline struggles to explore full stories from various perspectives. She cannot understand her mother’s grief because she is so consumed by her own. She doesn’t give Dru-Ann Jones a chance to tell her whole story, convinced that the short, out-of-context video clip of Dru-Ann provides the entire truth.

Although Isaac takes advantage of Caroline and belittles her, he teaches her to be more observant and open-minded to those around her. When filming her subjects, Isaac advises Caroline to “[l]ook for a chink in the armor […] where you can penetrate the surface and discover a hidden truth” (40). By interviewing Tatum, Dru-Ann, and Brooke and learning about her mother at earlier ages, Caroline gradually comes to understand The Importance of a Multifaceted Identity and heals the rift between her mother and herself. In doing so, Caroline gains valuable perspective about Hollis and can more easily understand her mother’s passions and priorities. Although Caroline didn’t set out to repair her relationship with Hollis, her keen instincts as a filmmaker help her to grow into a more grateful and appreciative daughter. Although Caroline doesn’t find her life partner by the novel’s close, she realizes she is still young and has much to learn about love and commitment.

Hollis’s childhood friend Tatum illustrates what Hollis’s life likely would have been like had she never left Nantucket. Tatum had felt betrayed by Hollis’s ambition, which took her away from the life they’ve always known and loved. Hollis’s transition into a “summer person” was a massive blow to Tatum. She decides to attend Tatum’s five-star weekend out of sympathy for Hollis’s loss while also distracting herself from a potential cancer diagnosis: “The best thing about Hollis’s girls’ weekend is that it’s given Tatum something else to think about. She’ll have to dream up a little payback for Dru-Ann. That alone will make it worthwhile” (51-52). Tatum is a prankster but isn’t mean-spirited. Her silly jokes add comic relief to her constant worry about dying and leaving everyone and everything she loves behind. Tatum is a free spirit, dancing around the living room with Hollis and hiding rubber snakes in Dru-Ann’s bed.

Tatum and many of the Nantucket locals view “summer people” as outsiders, not entitled to Nantucket in the same way as the permanent residents. When Hollis, whom Tatum considers a sister, became a summer person, Tatum had to learn to accept Hollis’s growth. At lunch with the five stars, “Tatum sits up a little straighter. Yes, Terri, I am wearing an orange Lilly Pulitzer dress eating lunch at Table 20 with Hollis Shaw. Deal with it” (318). Tatum overcomes her prejudice against summer people, switching sides and feeling judged by the other locals. She ultimately prioritizes her friendship with Hollis as they rebuild their bond.

Confident, hardworking, and morally sound, Dru-Ann never settles for anything less than her best, and she expects the same from her coworkers and clients. She commands respect from everyone around her. She enjoys expensive, high-quality brands: “On Thursday morning, Dru-Ann Jones threads her Phantom through traffic on Lake Shore Drive, and, as usual, everyone around her changes lanes as if sensing that if they don’t, she’ll run them over” (52). Although Dru-Ann is tough and intense, she is a good person and “a fierce advocate for other women of color” (58). Dru-Ann supports Hollis and has her back when she most needs it.

Dru-Ann exemplifies Growth and Forgiveness in Relationships. She takes complete responsibility for a crass, tasteless joke she made at Tatum’s expense during Hollis’s wedding. Dru-Ann, apologizing sincerely for her words, initiates a closer, trusting relationship with Tatum. Dru-Ann forgives Caroline, Nick, and the social media influences, illustrating her ability to understand, empathize with, and forgive people who have wronged her.

Hollis’s friend during early motherhood, Brooke lacks self-confidence, resulting in social awkwardness. Aware of this characteristic, Brooke feels even more self-conscious: “I always felt insecure in the group, insecure in my life—and that affected how I acted. I tried too hard, I lacked confidence. I thought that to make people like me, I had to defer to them instead of acting natural” (312).

Brooke hides parts of herself, specifically her sexuality as a gay woman, to accommodate the social norms and needs of others. In doing so, Brooke exemplifies The Need for a Multifaceted Identity. Brooke never gives herself a chance to explore the essential parts of herself because she always does what others expect of her. Only when her friends encourage her to follow through on her decision to leave Charlie does Brooke allow herself the freedom to be her most authentic self.

Brooke highlights a subtle symbol within The Five-Star Weekend as she shops for a Nantucket Reds skirt. Brooke takes Gigi shopping, “explaining the phenomenon of Nantucket Reds pants. ‘They’re made from a canvas material that starts brick red and then fades with each washing to a distinct shade of pink’” (173-74). Like Brooke and the other five stars, the Nantucket Reds skirt loses some of its vibrance over the years, only becoming more coveted with age. Like Nantucket Reds, friendship shows its durability and becomes more valuable over time.