A review by serendipitysbooks
Wellness by Nathan Hill

emotional reflective 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

4.75

 Wellness is a rich multilayered novel exploring the lives of a Chicago couple, Jack and Elizabeth. It goes back to examine their childhoods, their teen years, the early years of their relationship and their early years of parenthood showing the reader how they came to be the people they are today, and how their marriage came to be in the state it is, a state that has one spouse arguing for two master bedrooms in the new home they are planning so that if they should divorce they could easily continue to live in one home, providing stability for their ten year old son. It’s a novel that is not afraid to be discursive, exploring in depth a whole range of issues including the placebo effect and internet algorithms, polyamory, parenting, art and so much more. Some parts are absolutely heartbreaking, others totally hilarious, and more than a few are guaranteed to resonate with readers of a similar age to Jack and Elizabeth. It’s length and discursiveness mean it won’t be a book for every reader but I thoroughly enjoyed deeply immersing myself in their world. 
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