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hdunscombe's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Gaslighting, Blood, Child abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Child death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
javablue's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
fuzzyfocus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Abandonment
phantomsuitcase's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, and Grief
erikagibson126's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Child abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cancer, Animal death, Physical abuse, Bullying, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
kelsylee's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
Minor: Animal death and Cancer
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Context:
I picked Wellness by Nathan Hill as my October 2023 Book of the Month.
Review:
I had few expectations (good or bad) going into Wellness, but I was pleasantly surprised when I tore through all 600-plus pages in a couple of days! I am someone who appreciates a compulsively readable story with interesting characters and a punchy plotline. I also appreciate deeply philosophical works that unabashedly discuss nuances of human nature and modern living. I very rarely get to read a book that does both—and does them well—but Wellness is one of those rare books.
The book switches perspectives a fair bit, and sometimes I worried that I would find a particular portion or POV to be a slog. I needn’t have worried, as Hill managed to hook me in every single time. He also has a gift for delivering delicious, surprising, and satisfying ‘twists’ so that each section of the novel sticks the landing. I would happily read 600 more pages of his writing, especially when it comes to his discussions on algorithms and the human tendency toward self-deception.
As much as I love Wellness, I do not think it is a perfect book. Hill tends to overindulge in his penchant for melodrama toward the end of the book, and one of the plotlines in particular struck me as too “Hollywood” for my liking. Similarly, Hill chose a more splashy, almost rom-com-esque conclusion instead of allowing the main characters, Elizabeth and Jack, to talk out their issues realistically and constructively. I also wish that Elizabeth received some sort of consequences for her egregious violation of research ethics in the Wellness organization. None of these imperfections dampened my love for the book as a whole, however, and I am so incredibly glad that I chose Wellness to start off my year.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like Wellness if . . .
· If you’re looking for a book that has “a little bit of everything”
· If you want a book that combines the heart of a romance novel, the philosophical musings of a classic, the gripping nature of a thriller, and the reflections on everyday life of a work of contemporary literary fiction
· If you want help working through your vague feeling of malaise in living in modern America
You might not like Wellness if . . .
· You dislike multi-POV stories or books that move back and forth in time
· You don’t want to read about slightly pretentious white liberal characters
· You want to read a book that is concise and sticks to the plot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, and Alcohol
jrlibros's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Child abuse
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The best part of this book was the ending for two reasons: 1) it was finally over and 2) it was truly the only part of the story I thought was well told. For the ray of the time, I kept wondering why this book was so damned long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Drug use, Cancer, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Bullying, and Fire/Fire injury
melyssa57's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
Wellness by Nathan Hill is being touted as the next great American novel. I am not sure if that is the case. I didn’t ready Hill’s debut, The Nix, but I will say he does a great job of writing an engaging story that compels the reader to still with the story until this end. And at more than 600 pages, it can take a while to get there. I enjoyed the journey, but I am still undecided on how I feel about the destination.
Wellness is a story of growth for main characters Jack and Elizabeth who meet in Chicago as young adults, fall in love, get married, have a child, and then realize they aren’t the people they were when they met. Through a series of flashbacks and present day scenarios the other illustrates the events that formed the characters into the people they are presently. In an attempt to discern who they are as mature adults, the two embark on a variety of tactics to save themselves and their marriage. Are they successful, I’m not quite sure, I think the ending can be left up to interpretation.
Even though this was a longer novel, it didn’t seem that way. I was invested and able to finish the story at a moderate pace. I enjoyed the flashbacks that gave the reader detailed background into the nuances of the characters. They were both clearly drawn together because they’d suffered horrible parenting. What I did not care for the overabundance of cited works references throughout a fiction book. It almost made it seem as though it was fiction purporting to be non-fiction. I think the story could have been just as strong with out and the dozens of reference works listed at the end.
Recommendation: I really wanted to enjoy this book. After hundred of pages, I was all in, but the ending kind of fell flat to me after all that build up. I think the author was struggling with bringing it all together, but I did enjoy his writing style. I may pick up The Nix or his next work, but sorry Oprah, I’m just unsure about the accolades that all the critics are giving this one.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
Wellness by Nathan Hill is being touted as the next great American novel. I am not sure if that is the case. I didn’t ready Hill’s debut, The Nix, but I will say he does a great job of writing an engaging story that compels the reader to still with the story until this end. And at more than 600 pages, it can take a while to get there. I enjoyed the journey, but I am still undecided on how I feel about the destination.
Wellness is a story of growth for main characters Jack and Elizabeth who meet in Chicago as young adults, fall in love, get married, have a child, and then realize they aren’t the people they were when they met. Through a series of flashbacks and present day scenarios the other illustrates the events that formed the characters into the people they are presently. In an attempt to discern who they are as mature adults, the two embark on a variety of tactics to save themselves and their marriage. Are they successful, I’m not quite sure, I think the ending can be left up to interpretation.
Even though this was a longer novel, it didn’t seem that way. I was invested and able to finish the story at a moderate pace. I enjoyed the flashbacks that gave the reader detailed background into the nuances of the characters. They were both clearly drawn together because they’d suffered horrible parenting. What I did not care for the overabundance of cited works references throughout a fiction book. It almost made it seem as though it was fiction purporting to be non-fiction. I think the story could have been just as strong with out and the dozens of reference works listed at the end.
Recommendation: I really wanted to enjoy this book. After hundred of pages, I was all in, but the ending kind of fell flat to me after all that build up. I think the author was struggling with bringing it all together, but I did enjoy his writing style. I may pick up The Nix or his next work, but sorry Oprah, I’m just unsure about the accolades that all the critics are giving this one.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse