THANK YOU to our 2023 Novel Night Hosts!

THE 2023 NOVEL NIGHT DINNERS
(Click on a novel for a slideshow)

Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story
​​Chris Nashawaty

Step back into the late 1970s world of the suburban country club where staff, members and hangers-on convene. Come in your best 1970s preppy attire and be prepared for stiff drinks and good old country club buffet fare. You can practice putting, or dance with a gopher. Be prepared to stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball.​​

​Party Size: 60 

Gods of Soccer
​ ​Robert Bennet, Michael Davis & Miranda Davis

Picture this, sports fans: David Beckham, Mia Hamm, and Pelé walk into a bar. No, it’s not the start of a bad joke. It’s the Gods of Soccer dinner, a high-energy cocktail-style bash where guests will arrive dressed as their favorite soccer players, coaches, referees or diehard fans and mingle amongst fellow athletic gods. You may even spot Ted Lasso in the mix. At this rare gathering of the soccer elite, legends will have a chance to unwind, trading in their Gatorades for cocktails and their daily sprints for strolls around the buffet table. Swap tales of dreams, perseverance, loyalty, and grit at this unforgettable dinner in honor of the world’s most popular and BEST sport. Get ready to break out the face paint and practice your chants, soccer lovers! ​

Party Size: 48 

Moulin Rouge
Pierre La Mure​

Just say “Oui!” to vibrant turn-of-the-century Paris!  It will be a night to remember for bohemians, lovers and poets alike as we venture to the 18th arrondissement. Set in the Montmartre quarter in the late 19th century, this novel follows the life of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and the city’s bohemian subculture in and around the Moulin Rouge, a beloved burlesque palace frequented by artists, writers and entertainers. Join us for an extravagant evening of cocktails, seated dinner and entertainment. Don your best burlesque attire and come ready to dance the can-can!​

​Party Size: 30 

Orlando
Virginia Woolf

“Memory is the seamstress, and a capricious one at that. Memory runs her needle in and out, up and down, hither and thither. We know not what comes next, or what follows after.” Dispel your preconceived notions of time, place and gender at this eclectic formal garden party, where libations and bon mots will flow like grains of sand through an endless hourglass. Here 17th century ambassadors from the British, Ottoman, and Russian empires will hobnob with Elizabethan courtiers, Victorian aristocrats and 1920s flappers, and guests can discover new personas, including their own. “I’m sick to death of this particular self,” said Orlando, “I want another.” After all, Orlando is a man who is a woman who is a man. Enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and an elegant seated Continental buffet dinner, you and your fellow partygoers will waft and weave through history in a stunning setting at this sumptuous soirée. ​

​Party Size: 46 

The Godfather
​ ​Mario Puzo

Follow in the footsteps of Vito Corleone and assume your rightful place as head of The Family. But first, join us at the Corleone compound for the wedding of Vito’s daughter. This will be a night of music, dancing and a buffet of Italian American favorite foods. Wear your finest 1940s chic or be creative with your nods to your favorite Godfather characters. If you don’t know what’s for dessert, this isn’t the dinner party for you. 

​Party Size: 32
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The Last Rose of Shanghai 
Weina Dai Randel
 

Welcome to the One Hundred Joys nightclub in Japanese occupied Shanghai during WWII. Revel in a star crossed romance between a Chinese heroine nightclub owner and a poor, exiled Jewish piano player. Experience Shanghai decadence in classic nightclub attire, black tie or velvet suits and Qipao dresses. Jazz will be played, a Chinese-inspired hand picked custom menu will be passed and Moutai cocktails will be poured!

​Party Size: 30

The Princess Spy
Larry Loftis

No one would have guessed that Aline Griffith, a bright-eyed model (from a NYC suburb much like our own) would grow up to be a spy in Europe. And yet! Rumors and espionage abound at this dinner party set in Madrid, among elites, bull fighters and royals. Sip sangria and enjoy tapas and paella on this journey through the clandestine hijinks of World War II espionage. The dress code for this covert mission is open to your interpretation—will you dress as a bullfighter, a mid-century career woman like Aline, or a European sophisticate? Whatever you don, daring exploits are on the docket. Your mission awaits!

​Party Size: 30 

Tombstone
​​ Tom Clavin

Giddyup, cowboys and girls, it’s time to mosey on over and live out your wildest western fantasy. Harness your inner Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, or one of the rough and righteous ladies who suffered (beautifully) by their sides. Then, prepare to be surrounded…by your gorgeous neighbors rocking 10-gallon hats, boots, chaps, petticoats and pistols. You’ll enjoy cocktails and apps by an open fire(pit), followed by a sit down dinner with a steak cooked to your precise specifications.
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Party Size: 12 

Death on the Nile
​Agatha Christie

]You are cordially invited to a glamorous cocktail party inspired by Agatha Christie's timeless masterpiece. Step aboard and embark on a journey through the Nile. Sip on cocktails and champagne as you say bon voyage to the ordinary life. It will be an evening of intrigue, elegance, and secrets, so dress to impress in your most glamorous 1930s attire. Think dapper suits, sleek tuxedos, and fedoras, or dazzling cocktail dresses, long gowns, and ornate headpieces. Our talented chefs will craft a menu inspired by the flavors and ingredients of the Nile region, including delectable hors d'oeuvres that showcase the finest Egyptian and Mediterranean cuisine. Be our guest and enjoy. Just remember that under the searing Egyptian sun, things aren’t always as they seem…
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Party Size: 40 

Like Water for Chocolate
Laura Esquirel

1910. Mexico. Revolución is in the air. Betrayal, love, and revenge are all on the menu at this romantic, dramatic dinner party. Come dressed as a turn of the century Mexican aristocrat or revolutionary to this elegant, seated affair and prepare to delight in gourmet Mexican dishes showcasing the world’s most magical ingredient: chocolate. A feast for the senses, this party is made for all the lovers, dreamers, and schemers in our midst.

Party Size: 16

Malibu Rising
Taylor Jenkins Reid

It’s time to ditch the New York ‘burbs and head west, don’t ya think?…You’ll be just in time for the Riva family's infamous end-of-the-summer beach bash at their Malibu mansion. It’s 1983, so most will be in their beach-chic, acid-washed best for a night of high-drama partying on the Pacific. But the Rivas have a come-as-you-are vibe, so no fashion stress: bare feet and bathing suits welcome. A delicious buffet dinner with a focus on seafood favorites will keep hungry surfers satisfied, while the bar and 80s rock will keep the good times rolling. Party with surfers, celebrities, and local characters on a night that just might get so hot we burn the place down.

Party Size: 45

Party Monster: A Fabulous but True Tale of Murder in Clubland
James St. James

The Club Kids ruled New York City nightlife in the 1990s, with extreme fashion, wild alter egos, and hedonistic lifestyles that shocked regular Americans. In 1996, they turned on one of their own. The fabulously macabre, entirely true story will inspire a night of themed food and drinks. As a live DJ plays the floor-fillers of the era, guests dressed in their most fantastical 90s best will be transported back to the stained-glass decadence of The Limelight, where it all went down. Pulse-pounding beats? Outrageous costumes? Yes, please.
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​Party Size: 50

Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties 
Ian Macdonald

Come Together, Pelham, because This Magical Mystery Tour is waiting to take you to play. Get All Together Now to celebrate the legacy of the iconic Fab Four, complete with live music! Ian MacDonald’s “Beatles Bible'' dissects every track they ever recorded and delves deeply into the meaning and stories behind the songs. Love the soundtrack, but not sure what to wear? We Can Work It Out! All You Need is Love for 1960s Beatlemania: moptops, minidresses, swinging London nightclubs, psychedelics and Sergeant Pepper. And after you Twist and Shout, enjoy a feast of contemporary British fare.
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Party Size: 32 

The Guest List
​ Lucy Foley

The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding of the year. Set on an island off the remote coast of Ireland, this black-tie affair will feature a lavish wedding feast, top-shelf drinks, dancing under the stars … and a few dark turns. Because all is not as it seems. Secrets lurk behind every smile, and danger burbles beneath the veneer of celebration. Dressed in your most intriguing formalwear, you navigate hidden alliances and simmering resentments. Every conversation, every stolen glance, could hold a clue to the secrets that threaten to unravel this wedding's facade. Join us for an unforgettable evening, where danger lurks beneath the veneer of celebration. All the beautiful people in town would kill to be on The Guest List. And one of you actually will.

Party Size: 36

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love
Oscar Hijuelos

The sun has set and our work is done. It’s time to hit the dance halls of NYC and Havana, where the Castillo brothers keep people on their feet with their mesmerizing mambo beats. Dressed in their 1940s and 1950s era best, lucky guests will be treated to live music, a Cuban-cuisine buffet dinner, and delicious ice-cold cocktails. We can taste the mojitos already! Step back in time to a golden age at this glamorous, exuberant dinner party.

​Party Size: 60

The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd

Come fly away for an evening celebrating the mesmerizing world of bees and honey. A feast for the senses, this 1960s-era dinner party will delight guests with lush floral arrangements and traditional southern food evoking the geography of the book, with honey inspired dishes and twists on classics. Embrace the sweet spirit of this bash by dressing in 1960s Southern fashion or by donning your favorite beekeeper garb. There may even be a human-sized honeybee or two in attendance! Entertainment celebrating the magical world of bees will keep things buzzing at this enchanting party.
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Party Size: 34 

Daughter of the Moon Goddess
​Sue Lynn Tan

Step into a realm of enchantment under the full moon at this Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival themed party. Vibrant lanterns, ornate decorations, and a myriad of celestial motifs will surround you and transport you to the realm of Chang'e.  Be tempted by mooncakes, dumplings, and libations while enjoying the sights and sounds of a Chinese celebration, one day after the true date of Moon Festival. Celebrate your inner goddess or warrior by wearing hanfu or qipow, or come as a stylish mortal in the realm of the gods. Party as only immortals can.

Party Size: 40 
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House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed
Sara Gay Forden​

Ciao, Bella! You’re on the VIP list for an evening of glamour, decadence, sex and intrigue—courtesy of the greatest fashion dynasty of the 80s and 90s. The Guccis may have been brilliant, conniving, and cutthroat, but they also knew how to dress, dah-ling! Think over-the-top Italian luxe, whether you’re skiing the alps (in all your best jewelry), dancing the night away in a Milan discotheque, or powersuiting your way to the office. Once you’ve strutted down the catwalk….Mangia!  This Italian, family-style sit-down dinner comes straight from Arthur Avenue (IYKYK). ​

​Party Size: 30

Peter Pan
J. M. Barrie

Lost your shadow? Come find it—and lots of fairy dusted merriment—in Neverland! There’s no need for grown-up worries at this fantastical party where you might meet Wendy, Michael, and John Darling, or perhaps spend time on the high seas with a rowdy pirate crew. Peter Pan and the Lost Boys are a friendly lot, so be sure to say hello as you enjoy a magical buffet dinner, and don’t forget to raise a glass of something bubbly to Tinkerbell. It will be an evening of fun and flight, so long as we dodge the evil Captain Hook…

Party Size: 27

The Complete Sherlock Holmes 
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

You’re invited to join us at 221B Baker Street in Victorian England for a night of whodunit. Don your best smoking jackets, bowler hats, pipes and Victorian dresses. Ms. Hudson will be providing a buffet dinner of traditional British food. Be prepared for the mysteries to be solved… the game is afoot.
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​Party Size: 24 

The Last Book Party
Karen Dukess

In the 1980s, a famed New Yorker writer and his poet wife throw Cape Cod’s most coveted party each summer’s end, a legendary fête where guests dress up as characters from novels. This year, you and the rest of Pelham’s glittering literary elite are invited. Come dressed as your favorite character from any book (oh, the possibilities!) and prepare for a friendly costume-guessing competition with your fellow guests. Partygoers will feast on a traditional New England clam bake buffet with a 1980s vibe, showcasing seafood delicacies like lobster, clams, and mussels, plus some blast-from-the-past favorites. The white wine spritzers will flow—along with the literary world gossip—at this fabulous, breezy seaside party. ​

​Party Size: 18

The Perfect Crime 
Edited by Vaseem Khan and Maxim Jakubowski​​

Get ready for a killer evening. The Perfect Crime collects the most thrilling detective stories from around the world, and this party drops you right into the middle of one of them! One lucky(?) guest will be the criminal, one less lucky guest will be the victim, and your role is to mix and mingle while you solve the mystery. Passed cocktails and apps allow you to move covertly about the party for maximum sleuthing. Arrive in an ensemble that gives you “international person of mystery” vibes…and try not to leave in a body bag. ​
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Party Size: 36

The Venetian Masquerade
Philip Gwynne Jones

Step into a world of enchantment and pure magic as you’re transported to the romantic streets of Venice during the Carnivale season. Get set to gallivant in a haven of secrets and suspense—the backdrop for a night of lavish indulgence. Embrace the spirit of Carnivale and don your most eccentric turn-of-the-century garb (think: lavish fabrics, layers of lace, and whimsical accessories). And of course, masks! Choose the perfect one to add an air of intrigue. As the evening unfolds, dig into the delectable Venetian-style buffet and cavort with fellow revelers who are equally enchanted by this hauntingly beautiful world of intrigue and elegance, embraced by the warmth of camaraderie.
 
Party Size: 40 

Treasure Island 
Robert Louis Stevenson

Ahoy, me hearties! You’ve been cast about on the treacherous high seas for far too long. Find food, drink, and raucous comradery at this cozy tavern party, where pirates and landlubbers alike will enjoy a seated continental buffet dinner and tasty libations. Shipwrecked lads and lasses; 18th century pirates; damsels in distress (or not!) will come together for one unforgettable dinner before setting sail to the After Party…in search of buried treasure, naturally. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum, indeed! If you have a sense of adventure in your heart, this is the dinner for you. ​

Party Size: 80