Nine Perfect Strangers

Liane Moriarty's book “Nine Perfect Strangers” centres around nine people who meet at an Australian health and wellness resort, who are there for a myriad of reasons. Whilst weight loss and detoxification are amongst the many reasons for attending Tranquillem House, it soon becomes apparent that behind each character’s persona, lies greater complexity. Frances Welty, a romance novelist dealing with menopause, and a failed romance hopes that weight loss will solve her problems. The young married couple, Ben and Jessica hope that time together to undergo marriage counselling will take them back to the beginnings of their romance. And Heather, Napoleon and Zoe, are still reliving their grief three years on, whilst Lars, Tony and Caramel, face their own battles.
This is a book that draws on many issues such as addiction to plastic surgery and social media, which might seem like ‘first world issues’ yet the challenge of menopause and death, make for an interesting read. Putting all of these characters together in one remote place, ensures that the challenges that they are facing, comes to the front. This was almost like reading rather than watching a reality television program. An entertaining read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Each character was dysfunctional in their own way. Loved they were all slightly crazy. Could easily all be real people.
I enjoyed the background of each character where the more I read the more I learned about them.

When each of the strangers arrive at the Tranquillum House retreat, they're expecting a slightly unconventional, but relaxing stay.  They quickly realise 'unconventional' doesn't really come close to touching on what Tranquillum House really is.  As they're put through tasks they never imagined, they all learn more about themselves and each other.

Nine Perfect Strangers was such a wild ride.  I've loved lots of Liane Moriarty's books already and had been meaning to read this one for a while.  I'm so glad I picked it up!  The funny thing about this book is that not much actually....happens.  It's very character driven and all takes place within the walls of Tranquillum House.  But there was just something so engaging about delving into the characters lives and learning about why they were there and the hidden issues and tragedies in their lives.  I must admit, the depravation the characters were forced in to, when they had to hand over their snacks, alcohol and technology had me vowing to never even think about going to a health retreat

Often sad, sometimes funny and definitely engrossing, I really enjoyed this one!

Nine Perfect Strangers is the eighth novel by best-selling Australian author, Liane Moriarty. Nine guests arrive at an exclusive, expensive health resort in rural NSW. There is a family of three, and a couple, so not all are strangers to one another; as well, two more are recognised by other guests from their public profiles; nor is any of them perfect (it would be a very short story if they were!)

What they don’t realise is that they are the first group to undergo the radical new treatment plan the director has created, one which includes aspects that no small print or disclaimer has mentioned. Nor are all the resort’s staff one hundred percent on board.

The range of characters is diverse: a newly-single mother of four who feels discarded; a gay family lawyer faced with a fatherhood dilemma; a divorced romance novelist whose career has stalled; a family plagued by grief and guilt; a couple plagued by too much money; and a disconnected grandfather who’s feeling his age.

Tranquillum House is staffed by a paramedic and a PA, both turned wellness consultants, while the director is a former corporate executive determined to share the passion for wellness that her near-death experience ignited in her, years earlier. Masha (Maria) Dmitrichenko is beautiful, green-eyed and very charismatic, and easily able to deflect the scepticism and belligerence with which some of her guests arrive.

With a mix of health drinks, yoga, exercise, fasting, and silence, and a ban on alcohol, junk food and electronic devices, Masha promises that “You will leave Tranquillum House feeling happier, healthier, lighter, freer…In ten days, you will not be the person you are now.” If that last statement ultimately proves true, it doesn’t happen the way anyone expects.

There are multiple narrative strands covering the perspective of each of the guests as well as the staff and director of the resort. Many of the inner monologues are quite amusing, particularly the observations and assessments of fellow guests, and some of the chemically-enhanced chapters are truly hilarious, especially those of Lars and Frances. A hugely entertaining read with a twist that may have some reconsidering health retreat plans.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Australia

A Liane Moriarty story is guaranteed to provide plenty of food for thought and Nine Perfect Strangers is no exception. This one has certainly generated some mixed opinions.

Liane brings together nine strangers to a remote luxury retreat in outback Australia. Each of these people is in search of something ... something that will change their lives. They have their different reasons for being there (failure, loss) and are looking for a change in direction. It’s not all laid back relaxation as some of these people have sad and tragic stories to tell. Each of them have their various idiosyncrasies and personalities. Liane writes characters well - funny, witty and often quite sharp - as she seeks to detail the range of reasons that led the individuals to this wellness retreat.

At times, this is not going the way one would think. The plot twist has many divided - crazy and farfetched? Maybe. I suggest you simply take the story as it is, an entertaining read, without questioning how it could happen. I did find the book to be very long, especially initially with the back stories to all those characters needing to be provided. Some editing would have been beneficial.

Nine Perfect Strangers is different, a little bizarre but quite intriguing. Take it as it is, smart, fun and well written. It will be an upcoming American drama web television series that will hopefully be released some time in 2021.



This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.