Member Reviews
There's Nothing Wrong with Her depicts the life of Vita Woods. Only its a life with chronic illness and uncertainty. The story moves you. Her life of laying in bed and watching feet go by while talking to her fish, brings tears to your eyes. You want so much more for her. You want to make her start each day differently and hope for new things.
When she makes friends with the neighbors you cheer for her and hope this brings her back to life. Hoping friendship is all she needs to come out from the cloud she appears to be living under.
This book brings out an understanding of chronic illness and loneliness in ways I have not seen before. It makes you want to help others that might possibly feel the same way. Kudos to Kate Weinberg for her realistic depiction that can only help others be more understanding.
There's Nothing Wrong With Her is a short but punchy unique reflection on living with a mystery chronic illness. As Vita spends her days sucked into The Pit, watching the passing feet of those outside her basement bedroom window, we come to witness her struggles through past trauma and her new reality. Exploring the depths of the relationship between mind and body, There's Nothing Wrong With Her is a thought-provoking character study. The unknowingness and ambiguity is what really worked for me with this book. The uncertainty and longing for understanding from others and the medical world are brilliantly delved into. Nevertheless, I can understand why some readers might be unsatisfied with such ambiguity.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Loved!!!
This quick story follows a woman who is in the midst of heavy chronic illness that she isn’t able to manage all that well or even understand where it is stemming from.
The writing style felt so unique and I was deeply invested in trying to understand the main character. I was *obsessed* with the way that time seemed to get away from her, it was really interesting to have a set scene and then have the mc get in her own head for a while and then, when she comes out of her thoughts, the scene is totally different.
That said, with the combination of the storytelling style, the frequent flash back scenes, AND the fact that the main character seems to be hallucinating much of time, the story can be hard to follow - which some ppl might not love. This is also not a story where a lot happens, so if you’re big on plot driven books, then this won’t be for you.
But if you like literary fiction, interesting storytelling, and exploring chronic illness and depression - this is the book for you for suurreee ✨
There's Nothing Wrong with Her by Kate Weinberg is a bit hard to rate - perhaps more than it is to review. It grapples with a topic that's deeply personal to me (invisible illness), but I didn't connect with this book at all. That's not to say it will be the universal reader experience, and that's the beauty of books.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.
DNF. A real letdown. I thought looking at chronic illness would make for a unique read, but it was hard to try to stick with this one.
Chronic illness is something that needs to be spoken about more in Literature. This novel does a wonderful job in doing so and portrays a compelling and authentic approach to coping!
I read this pretty quickly and enjoyed the story, but it didn't wow me. I felt like I wanted more I think, more depth and more on the relationship between Vita and the old lady upstairs. Although I haven't personally suffered a chronic illness, the way Weinberg describes Vita's life and struggle with her illness seems really well done and I think it something we don't see enough of in literature or media. Overall I would definitely recommend this and I enjoyed reading it.
I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.
There’s Nothing Wrong With Her by Kate Weinberg is a raw, darkly humorous exploration of mental health, self-discovery, and the complexities of modern life. Vita Woods seems to have it all—success, love, and a thriving career—yet she is gripped by an inexplicable illness that leaves her bedridden and lost in a haze of delirium. Enter Luigi, a centuries-old ghost with romantic advice, and Vita’s increasingly surreal journey to understand her own mind. Weinberg crafts a tender and offbeat narrative that balances humor with profound introspection, making for a compelling and thought-provoking read about the pressures of living up to expectations—both from the world and oneself. A brilliantly quirky and deeply empathetic portrayal of a woman searching for answers when there seem to be none.
this was a quick read. I liked listening to the audiobook. several trigger warnings and the ending was vague, but it was an enjoyable read.
This was good but something was missing for me. And I don't know what because it's got all the pieces to make this litfic that I should love: kind of a fever dream, touches on relatable and relevant problems, sad girl unhappy, grief, etc. It just felt unfinished. It was okay!
At first I did not know if this was a book I could enjoy but I'm glad I stuck with it because the complexities of the character made the story interesting the more I understood what was happening with her. The more I read the more I wanted to know what happens next. This book dives into issues that are not often tackled in a contemporary fiction book. The main character, Vita Woods, is having a hard time differentiating between reality and the illusions created by her own mind. But she has a hard time finding anyone who can help her with her undiagnosed illness that is causing her so much pain.
The way this book was written the reader is immersed into Vita's world and sometimes even the reader doesn't know what is reality or Vita's perception of the situation. You can feel her struggle to find some normalcy in her life. Her invisible battles are weighing down the current relationships in her life but she has to find a way to trust the people in her life to lead her to recovery and that may be the hardest thing she has ever done.
Overall, this books complexities are what make it good but may be a bit too heavy for some readers. If you feel like not finishing this book I would recommend just push through because it is worth it.
I am grateful to Penguin Publishing - Putnam division for giving me the opportunity to read a digital copy of this intriguing book through Netgalley. All of the opinions in this review are my own.
a relatively short book, i'm so sorry but i couldn't finish it. i managed to read about a quarter of it until i realized i didn't care about anything that happened at all. i get that the main character experienced a phantom illness that no doctor could diagnose, and that she got a hallucination of a long-dead Italian poet. but i just didn't care and curious enough to see the full story revealed.
i am sorry, I could not finish this. I couldnt get past the first 20% because I have no idea whats going on, whats real and whats fiction. I struggle with chronic illness so I feel like it should hit different, but I just dont. I couldnt even figure out the main characters name for 15% of the story.
This is an important subject and I am so glad that i was able to read this book. There are certain aspects that I wish Kate had delved deeper into but this is a must read regardless,
I really liked the cover, title, and premise, but this book was unfortunately not for me. It's a combo between nothing really happens and also too heavy.
Kate Weinberg’s "There’s Nothing Wrong with Her" is a beautifully crafted exploration of mental health, identity, and the complexities of love and friendship. The story follows Vita Woods, a talented podcast producer, who seemingly has it all—a successful career, a loving boyfriend, and a quirky sister—but is battling an invisible illness that leaves her feeling trapped in her own life.
Weinberg’s writing is both poignant and witty, seamlessly blending moments of humor with deep emotional resonance. Vita’s struggle with her mental health is depicted with authenticity, inviting readers to empathize with her feelings of isolation and despair. The vivid descriptions of her experience in “The Pit” are haunting yet relatable, capturing the essence of what it feels like to be lost in your own mind.
The introduction of Luigi, the ghostly Renaissance poet, adds a unique twist to the narrative. His presence serves as both a comedic relief and a catalyst for Vita’s self-reflection. Their conversations, filled with philosophical musings and unexpected insights, are both entertaining and thought-provoking. Luigi’s attempts to guide Vita towards healing, while navigating her own fears, create a rich layer of complexity in the story.
Weinberg also excels in portraying the importance of relationships in Vita's journey. Her bond with her sister, Gracie, is beautifully rendered, showcasing the complexities of familial love and support. The emergence of new friendships, particularly with her upstairs neighbors, opens doors for Vita, allowing her to confront her feelings and fears in a way she never anticipated.
The narrative raises important questions about what it means to be “well” and the societal pressures surrounding mental health. As Vita navigates her illness, the exploration of self-acceptance and the search for connection feel particularly relevant in today’s world.
In conclusion, "There’s Nothing Wrong with Her" is a heartfelt and engaging read that balances humor with profound insights. Kate Weinberg has crafted a story that is not only entertaining but also offers a compassionate look at mental health and the struggles that many face in silence. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a narrative that resonates on multiple levels, leaving you both uplifted and contemplative long after the last page. Grab your favorite blanket and prepare for a journey that is both enlightening and deeply moving!
I was attracted to Kate Weinberg’s novel, “There’s Nothing Wrong With Her,” because I understand what it is like to deal with an undiagnosed illness. While I thought this story might delve deeper into how the medical community treats women in particular, it took a slightly different turn. Our protagonist, Vita, struggles with an undiagnosed illness. Plenty of the novel takes place within Vita’s mind as she reconciles with past trauma and the present where she remains pretty much bed ridden.
Overall, Weinberg does a remarkable job of narrating Vita's internal struggles without Vita becoming too self-indulgent. I did want more a resolution but that’s part of the reality that Vita experiences. Easy and thoughtful read.
Three and a half out of five stars.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this great read.
I wanted to like this book more than i actually did as i live with a difficult to diagnose, chronic illness. Some of the storyline was relatable but other parts not so much. I do feel that the supporting characters could have been developed a little more. I did find the book somewhat entertaining and there are some points that encourage additional thought. Thanks #NetGalley
A novel that explores the complexities of mental health, identity, and connection with others. I would have liked to see more development in the secondary characters. The ending was thought provoking but it left me wanting more.
Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.