This took me way longer to read than one would have thought. I kept dipping into it and back out again. Moving to other things and then returning.
It really works on so many levels. And yet whenever Hill cut to the characters' childhoods, I lost interest. And I can't even say why. I felt like I needed that forward momentum at all times.
When Elizabeth decides to bring Jack out on the double date with the poly couple, I simply wanted to know how Jack would react. What would he do? How would he feel about this act? But then we cut to a conglomeration of youthful scenarios for both characters. I totally understand what Hill was doing here and he did it well, but it threw me off.
This feels like a me issue.
In the end, this was certainly one of the best books of 2023 for me (even though it took me into 2024 to actually finish). A big social commentary and realist view of what it means to live and love in our current times.

Wellness has all the elements of a modern classic; the scope of what Nathan Hill accomplishes in this novel is huge, but also effective and to the point. I have read critiques of this book that claim it tries to do too much, and in so doing, compromises some of the subtly required of a book taking on a topic like the general state of the world as explored through one couple’s marriage. For me, it worked; and I look forward to seeing what Hill writes next.

Hill has given us another humourous, interesting novel. This one spans 20 years in a marriage as well as providing the reader on the back stories of the protagonists, Elizabeth and Jack. Elizabeth is a psychologist researching placebos for a company called Wellness. Jack is a professor of art. They have one sone Toby. They are questioning their relationship, attempting to understand their feelings of emptiness. Other models of relationships are discussed, including open marriage and separate master bedrooms. Lots on technology and social media and its effect on lives today as well as an examination of current society. Probably could have been shorter.

I really enjoyed this one. It really showed how relationships can change as we age, and I loved the Wellness industry aspect of it. I thought the character development was incredible also.

having not yet read hill's debut novel 'the nix' yet, i didn't know what to expect going into 'wellness' but MAN what a wild ride. the book follows jack & elizabeth from when they meet in college to the present day as they navigate life twenty years into their marriage. the book grapples with issues in modern marriage and placebo drugs and art and social media algorithms and cults and the challenges of parenting, all with a very witty & biting tone. worth the 600+ pages.

Nathan Hill's "Wellness" was a book I eagerly anticipated, having been enthralled by reading such wonderful reviews on his prior work "The Nix.” This narrative centers around the lives of Jack and Elizabeth, a couple who fell passionately in love in their youth but now, in their forties, find themselves trapped in a mundane existence, overshadowed by the burdens of parenthood, work, and their evolving selves.

The novel intricately explores the depths of their pasts and their upbringing, offering glimpses into the complex web of their shared history. The premise had immense potential, heightened by Oprah's endorsement, but my experience with the book was mixed.

Hill's narrative weaves together an ambitious tapestry, touching on a vast array of subjects – from algorithms, monogamy, fad diets, to Minecraft obsessions, misinformation, and the placebo effect. While this breadth of topics could have enriched the storytelling, at times, it felt overwhelming. The author's attempt to tackle too much resulted in an information overload, leaving me tempted to skim or skip through sections.

The novel's outset drew me in deeply, especially as a mother myself, where I could readily connect with the raw and relatable portrayal of childbirth and breastfeeding. However, as the narrative unfolded, there was a protracted segment involving Toby, their son, and his eating habits, which felt excessively lengthy. Paradoxically, Toby emerged as the most authentic and intriguing character in the story, marked by his organic portrayal. Unfortunately, this is also where the novel started to falter.

Despite moments of brilliance, the storytelling was marred by frequent over-explanation. The author's desire to dissect and elucidate topics such as analytics and Facebook algorithms became a distraction. It felt as though I was being led down a rabbit hole of information I hadn't signed up for. The narrative would have benefited from brevity and conciseness, as the excessive explanations detracted from my overall experience.

In my opinion, "Wellness" could easily shed at least 100 pages without losing its essence. The story's potential was overshadowed by a tedious and overly detailed exploration of various subjects. There were moments when I contemplated abandoning the book, but I persevered, only to find myself ultimately disappointed with the outcome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A nice follow-up to The Nix, but it's missing some of the spark that was found in Nathan Hill's debut. I had a hard time connecting to the two main characters - both seemed sort of obnoxious in middle-age, which made it difficult to really care about the marriage or what was happening in their lives. There were still times I had to stop reading to read a section aloud to someone, but not as often as I did that for The Nix.

DNF - I struggled with the writing style of this book & ultimately found it difficult to engage with the story as a consequence.

I loved this book!

From the very first page I was engaged by Jack and Elizabeth's story. I very much enjoyed how, through both points of view, we gradually learned more about their individual histories and the evolution of their relationship.

The publisher's copy says Wellness "reimagines the love story with a healthy dose of insight, irony, and heart," and I can't think of a better way to sum it up. I found parts of it hilarious, like when Jack learns to adopt academic language about art in college and Elizabeth mentally cites studies to herself as she agonized over how to deal with their son's behaviour. But I was also stopped in my tracks in several places by insightfulness, and I loved the tender way it ultimately dealt with the main characters and their situation.

I haven't read Nathan Hill's debut, but reading this book makes me want to run out and buy it. I'll be recommending Wellness far and wide. Thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read it in advance of publication.