This is the story of Jack and Elizabeth’s marriage, but it’s not just about their marriage. It’s about how their relationship and their identities shift as they move through life in a manipulative world. Alongside Jack and Elizabeth’s story, author Nathan Hill examines every aspect of this manipulation–in depth. From Elizabeth’s work as a scientist studying placebos (and then selling them), to the online algorithms that create and then reinforce beliefs, to art, to parenting, to health and the ways we try to hack our “wellness,” Hill leaves no stone unturned. He often veers into tangents in this 600+ page tome.

The book could have been shorter, but I was never bored. The cultural examinations kept me engaged, and just as they began to wear thin, he shifted back to his characters and how the things he examined affected them. This meandering book will not be for everyone, but readers up for literary experiments may want to give it a try.

Really, really enjoyable. Can't say I found it as captivating and incredible as The Nix (maybe my favorite book of all time) but I really enjoyed my experience with this book!

“jack thought about that winter, how for months they were separated by the distance of an alley. all they wanted back then was to eliminate the space between them. and now here they were, twenty years later, putting it back.”
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set against the vibrant backdrop of 1990’s chicago, nathan hill masterfully explores the intertwined lives of jack and elizabeth as they navigate the exhilarating yet rough terrain of young love and the overwhelming weight of childhood wounds. hills narrative unfolds over two decades, skillfully capturing the evolving dynamics of jack and elizabeth’s relationship as they transition from infatuated college students to bickering spouses and exhausted parents. wellness is a deeply intimate novel that dives deep into the complexities of marriage, self discovery, and the pursuit of personal identity.
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“our lives are bound by time, but our memories are not.
something that happens right now could take you back to something that happened twenty years ago. and for a moment, in your mind, the distance between them vanishes. it’s like there is no time.”
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wellness is a powerful novel that prompts readers to ponder the true essence of self awareness and the profound intricacies of the marital bond. although i have not experience marriage firsthand, the resonance of jack and elizabeth’s relationship felt remarkable genuine. the meticulous world building and character development instils the story with a sense of profound intimacy, as i immersed myself further in jack and elizabeth’s lives i found myself captivated by the raw vulnerability and authenticity that dripped off every page. wellness is a thought provoking novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
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“no, not bored. just no longer seduced by the mystery of it all. life’s big hard questions—what will happen? who will i become?—have largely been answered. and now i feel like there’s this huge absence where the mystery used to be. and i guess that’s really what i’m after.”
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This was SUCH A good read - I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

WOW did I love this book! While lengthy, I devoured it in a few days and felt completely invested in the characters' lives. I loved how unusual a story this was, and how well and uniquely it was written. For fans of The Leftovers or Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow, Wellness was one of my favorite books this year!

Thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Knopf and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a great book by the author of The Nix that has absolutely lived up to its pre-publication hype. I'll definitely read more by Nathan Hill in the future!

I am not going to be able to review this incredible book in a way that does it justice. I find Hill’s writing to be borderline genius. I loved The Nix and I loved this even more.
This is the story of Jack and Elizabeth, who fall in love in Chicago in college and remained married to this day, with a son. The story jumps between their perspectives and in time, giving us a complete picture of who they are, why they are the way they are, and what they have become now in their middle lives. This book tackles so much, but my favorites were the Facebook/boomers discussion, The Unraveling, and thinking about absolutely everything about placebos.
This is the best book I have read in years and I cannot stop thinking about it, even days after finishing. Highly highly recommend it, so not be daunted by its length!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC.

Thank you to the author Nathan Hill, publishers Knopf, for an advance paperback copy of WELLNESS, and also to NetGalley for an accomanying widget. All views are mine.

Opening quotes: Perhaps falling for a placebo could be, in certain cases, helpful, useful, even ideal. Loc. 5458

And the only thing she was certain of was this: that between ourselves and the world are a million stories, and if we don’t know which among them are true, we might as well try out those that are most humane, most generous, most beautiful, most loving. Loc. 8942

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. The concept of the Placebo Project is fascinating objectively and narratively. I'm really looking forward to more of this!

2. The shift in perspective to the actual book itself and the author I think (b) is some very excellent metafiction! Omg yummy!

3. I love some of the ideas presented in this book, like the eternal hyperlink book.

4. Adore the definition of the self relative to marriage: Who is this you? What version? At what time? In what place ? Which of your many funny reflections is the accurate one? Yesterday you were this person, today you’re that person, and tomorrow . . . who knows? But marriage promises consistency, certainty: you will be loved forever. And the moment we become certain of this is the moment it begins to slip away from us. Our certainty blinds us to how the world changes and changes and changes.” Loc. 8174

5. The idea of setting up a Placebo drug company is amazing. I mean, they work about as reliably as drugs that go to market, why not? This is such a great storyline.

6. Elizabeth and Jack's romance is maybe my favorite of all time. I relate so completely to them both, sometimes it feels as if they represent two halves of one character. Quote loc. 9008

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. He takes the "crazy mom" material a little far. Doesn't really matter how well written any of this is.

2. Holy shit how many perspectives and timelines is he going to introduce??

Rating: 💊💊💊💊 placebos
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Sep 26 23
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
📓 contemporary fiction
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family stories, family drama
👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏽 marriage stories

Wellness was a DNF for me. Here are my reasons.

I loved The Nix so this was on my list the second I heard it was coming. The Nix it is not. This is the story of a couple who stalk each other when they are 19 and have been together ever since. Now they are middle aged and looking to buy their first home in Chicago but are having major marital problem. One is a photographer who has lost his muse and instead teaches and a "scientist" who studies (and on occasion creates) the placebo effect.

I got about 60% through the book and found that I did not care at all about these two people, their lives, their troubles, their history. I have thought maybe I will go back and finish it but I DNF'd this back in October when it came out and I cannot force myself to pick this book back up. I have just gotten to the point where I will put a book down that just does not draw me in enough to want to finish it.

A nearly perfect book - this broke a months-long slump where nothing seemed right. Everything about this was right. I loved the characters and delighted in unraveling their story.

At first the satirical tone bothered me (and stressed me out TBH!) but then I found this very funny and even somewhat moving. It was very readable.

4.5 rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really loved this book. The progression of a love story between two flawed individuals, this book goes deep into their fascinating backstories and how they continue to impact the characters’ lives and marriage.

I understand the criticism that the book is too long and Hill spends too much time teaching readers about extraneous topics. I, personally, was fascinated by the information impacted, whether it be art history or Facebook’s algorithms or the placebo effect.

Nathan Hill's Wellness is not just a novel; it's an experience. It's a sprawling, 600-page epic that delves into the depths of a long-term marriage, the absurdities of the "wellness" industry, and the complexities of human connection in the 21st century.

A Love Story Like No Other:

At its core, Wellness is a love story between Jack and Elizabeth, two kindred spirits who fall in love in the vibrant Chicago art scene of the 90s. Hill masterfully captures the initial spark, the passionate years, and the inevitable challenges that come with two decades of life together. He doesn't shy away from the messy realities of marriage, but also paints a tender and nuanced portrait of two people who are deeply connected, even as they struggle to understand each other.

Witty Satire Meets Profound Insights:

Hill's writing is a delight. He balances sharp wit and keen observation with moments of profound insight. He skewers the fads and follies of the wellness industry with hilarious accuracy, while also exploring the genuine human desire for well-being and connection. The book is peppered with laugh-out-loud moments, but it also leaves you pondering the big questions about life, love, and happiness.

Characters You'll Live With:

Jack and Elizabeth are beautifully flawed and relatable characters. You'll root for them, be frustrated by them, and ultimately feel like you know them inside and out. Hill also populates the novel with a rich cast of supporting characters, each adding their own unique voice and perspective to the story.

Beyond the Page:

Wellness is not just a story to read; it's a conversation starter. It will make you think about your own relationships, your own pursuit of well-being, and your place in the world. It's a book that stays with you long after you turn the final page.

Why 5 Stars?

Wellness is a masterfully crafted novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Hill's writing is both witty and insightful, his characters are relatable and complex, and the story is both thought-provoking and entertaining.
Wellness is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved, lost, or questioned their place in the world.
So, if you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, think, and feel, I urge you to pick up Wellness. You won't be disappointed.

This is a perfect novel. Nathan Hill's ability to write such incredible and moving chunky novels is unreal.

This book was so hyped, and by readers I really trust, that I was sure I'd love it. Plus the premise captured where my friend and I are now, in midlife. However, Hill's tone was a distraction, the almost satirical vibe of it kept me from feeling invested in the characters. Instead I was taken out of the story by the many tangents and supposed humor. After also not enjoying The Nix, I think I've realized Hill just isn't an author for me.

3.5 stars
I had trouble getting into this book as I was reading it, but some of it has stayed with me since I read it a few months ago. The chapters about the road down the conspiracy rabbit hole were interesting and relevant to the current time.

A relatable, well told story about how we all change and grow, sometimes together, and sometimes apart.

A thoughtful contemporary novel. Wellness follows Jack and Elizabeth through several periods of their lives: jumping back and forth from their childhoods, the beginning of their relationship, and their current married life. It's an introspective look at marriage, how we change throughout our lives (and how we don't), how childhood shapes us, and also how we delude ourselves.

I was particularly interested in the psychological aspects of this novel. Elizabeth works in the industry, focusing on the placebo effect. That was fascinating to read about. She is also obsessed with psychological studies, particularly those focusing on childhood. Not surprising, when you consider her own troubled relationship with her parents. Unfortunately, Jack also has a strained relationship with his family, leading to some of the most depressing parts of the story. I was also intrigued by the sections on internet algorithms and online fearmongering. The author clearly did a lot of research, and it works out well in my opinion. It will definitely make you think, and possibly tear up. It did for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is ultimately a love story of Jack and Elizabeth. They secretly watch each other across the way in their apartment buildings until they meet at a club. From then on they are destined for each other, soulmates. They are in college in Chicago, Elizabeth majoring in multiple things, Jack in art. They date for 5 years, and are married for 15. Elizabeth tinkers with Wellness and placebos, studying their effect. She is wondering if there is more to their life, to their family, to their love. She begins experimenting and looking for excitement elsewhere. They talk about a forever home, and sink their life savings into it, yet it is a building fraught with problems.
Jack is committed to Elizabeth. Both Jack and Elizabeth had varying traumas in their childhood which affects the way they live their adult lives.
I really enjoyed Jack, but struggled with Elizabeth. I also felt that the middle of the book dragged a bit, and could have been a bit shorter. I was satisfied with how I think their story ends.

This didn't land for me. I wanted it to - I loved The Nix, but this one I just couldn't get into. I'm leaving it on my nightstand in case I decide to power through the back half.