Nine Perfect Strangers is the latest novel from Liane Moriarty, author of Big Little Lies. Set in Australia, the story follows nine people as they travel to a health resort called Tranquillum House and the events that unfold there.
As different books are appropriate in different situations, our Book Club Reviews aim to determine a book’s suitability for book clubs. Today’s book review focuses on Nine Perfect Strangers.
The primary strength of this book is in its characters. Nine Perfect Strangers switches between the perspectives of the nine clients of the resort and some of its staff. While there are plenty of people to keep track of, they’re all unique and well-developed, never leaving you confused about who’s who. Given that they’ve all been drawn to this wellness resort for a 10-day cleanse, everyone in the novel is going through something. From an author healing a broken heart to a mom of four looking for a new start or a former athlete trying to get in shape to a family grieving a tragedy, there are all kinds of stories to unravel. No matter how you feel about each one, there’s plenty to discuss about the different characters and their developments throughout the book.
Another aspect of this book that’s ripe for discussion is its treatment of the wellness trend. With the range of characters also comes a variety of perspectives on clean eating, yoga, meditation, and everything else one might find at a retreat of this kind. The retreat begins with a strict meal plan, complete with veggie-packed smoothies, and several days of required silence. The resort also forbids alcohol, sweets, and technology, instead opting for meditation, exercise, and spa treatments. Eventually, when more experimental treatments come to light, the novel ultimately poses the question: how far is too far? Whether you cultivate your own daily yoga practice or think the whole thing is a bit wacky, there’s something to talk about here.
Overall, Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers is a page-turning novel that’s part character study and part societal commentary, making it a great choice for book clubs. When it comes to choosing a book club book, discussion material is of utmost importance, and this book provides that. Happy reading!
For more book club reviews, click here.
Papers and Airplanes 