A review by what_is_daphne_reading
Wellness by Nathan Hill

challenging emotional funny informative lighthearted sad fast-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

5.0

This book was sad without being depressing. As someone who is also in the bottom of the U, I feel acutely a lot of what is being described here. I actually identified more with Jack than Elizabeth. The mothering parts of Elizabeth were however, very relatable. I also read and read so much. Looking for the perfect, the best. I have a masters in psychology l, specifically behavior, so I also informed my parenting with peer reviewed studies and journals. Funnily enough, the part where she was doing the marshmallow test on Toby I thought, “but that study has been debunked and it has more to do with wealth and scarcity.” Then at the end of the book she finds out exactly that. 

But it was Jack’s constant feeling of wrongness that I related to the most. I am not as forgiving as he was though. 

The end is satisfying. I was worried it was going to be horrific. I generally read very sad books and although this book had mainly been lighthearted in its misery, the last couple of chapters were somber. So I was afraid that we were going from somber to tear your heart out. It didn’t go that way. Instead it turn just a bit towards the light.