Released: 5th September 2024
Genre: Society, Drama, Romance
Nathan Hill is an American journalist who recently made the jump to novels. Following on from his highly successful debut: “The Nix”, he jumps into more modern territory with “Wellness”.
Jack and Elizabeth Baker are a young couple who initially live next door in Chicago. Between Jack's artistic mind and Elizabeth's scientific approach to romance, the two spend many years together and have a son named Toby. Eventually, Elizabeth starts a titular business with many strange, off-kilter placebos while trying to get to establish how love works. Over time however, both the company and the Baker family's relationship is put under heavy strain. Jack is burdened by family troubles and Elizabeth struggles to get along with Toby. The story jumps between past to present, venturing into personal perspectives. Jack and Elizabeth are constantly questioning their knowledge, approach and marriage throughout the chapters. Eventually they have to face their own issues head-on and take some drastic measures to salvage their relationship.
Wellness is a mixture of romance, social commentary and science with a decisively normal tone. It focuses on the everyday lives of the characters with many heated arguments along the way. What’s interesting about Wellness is a set of varied presentation methods. References to Toby and his love of video games alongside the division of American society are the biggest examples. Some of these have come from the author’s personal experiences, like moving to New York in his twenties, just like the main characters. I wasn’t expecting a five-chapter-long tangent on how Jack’s father was radicalised by social media algorithms, but Hill shifts the perspective easily while pouring on the details. Conversations, inner musings, chastising and creative projects are all included in the fifty-one chapters.
Recommended?
YES: Wellness serves up an intriguing blend of genres in a story than spans several decades. The depth and underlying detail of Jack and Elizabeth is the most important component. As they seek to understand the nature of love and come to terms with personal baggage, most will be thoroughly engaged. Some of the side tangents into Facebook conspiracies may be distracting, but the wider narrative is still worthwhile.
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