NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
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“If three characters were good in Big Little Lies, nine are even better in Nine Perfect Strangers.” —Lisa Scottoline, The New York Times Book Review
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies
Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever? In Liane Moriarty’s latest page-turner, nine perfect strangers are about to find out…
Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.
Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?
It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.
Combining all of the hallmarks that have made her writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft.
I thank NetGalley and the publisher (Michael Joseph UK) for providing me an ARC copy of this novel that I freely chose to review.
I’ve read and reviewed two novels by Moriarty, Little Big Lies and Truly, Madly, Guilty, quite different but enjoyable. The first one is funnier, sharper, wittier, and flashier than the other, which is more intense, focuses around a single event and its consequences (although that is a structure the author comes back time and again), the characters are less extreme, glamorous, bubbly, and more evidently damaged and vulnerable. Secrets and lies are a common occurrence, and the difference between appearances and reality and the games people play are present in both. There are similarities in some of the themes and subjects in both novels, and these are also evident in Nine Perfect Strangers, which, in my opinion, sits somewhere in between with regards to the tone and the subject matter. The high quality of the writing is also a constant in the three books.
We have a fairly large cast of characters, seemingly unrelated and contrasting in their beliefs and attitudes to life (although not particularly diverse), composed by the guests (or clients) at an Australian wellness retreat, and the staff members. The guests are: a family of three (Napoleon, Heather, and Zoe, their daughter, whose 21st birthday is due during their stay at Tranquillum House, all still struggling with a big loss in their lives); a young couple, Jessica and Ben, who won the lottery and now are rich beyond their wildest dreams but not necessarily happier; a romance writer who hasn’t moved with the times (Frances); Tony, and ex-footballer (Australian football) who used to be known as Smiley but seems to find it difficult to find his place in the world now, Lars, a divorce lawyer living happily (?) with a long-term male partner but afraid to commit too much (no children); and Carmel, a divorced mother obsessed by her weight and lacking in self-confidence. The staff members are Masha, Yao, and Delilah. Masha, who used to hold a high-powered corporate position, has rediscovered herself as a wellness guru. Delilah used to be her PA in her previous incarnation and has come along for the ride, and Yao, formerly a paramedic, met Masha in interesting circumstances and is convinced by her programme and devoted to her. At first, this mishmash of characters seem straight out of a joke book, and they appear as caricatures, but through their “therapy” we get to know them as fully fledged individuals and get to empathise with them. There are parallels between them, perhaps inevitably. All of them are struggling with changes in their lives, due to age, to personal tragedies, to external events, and have difficulty coming to terms with those and moving on. Some of the characters are better drawn than others although none of them are true evil, they all (or most) have their moments of clarity and stardom, and I think most readers are likely to find somebody to connect with.
The story is told in the third person from most of the characters’ points of views, although some get more space than others (Frances, Masha, Yao, for example have a great deal to say), but this varies as the story evolves, and this technique helps readers get into the thick of things. There is a fairly dramatic prologue, which takes place ten years before the rest of the action and at first appears unrelated, but is not. After the main action of the novel ends (this somewhat “false” ending is cathartic but not quite as dramatic as the reveals in the two other novels), we have a number of chapters that follow the characters (some of them) for a period afterwards, providing a protracted ending that I really enjoyed and thought suited the story well. (One of the problem with therapies is that sometimes we don’t get a long-enough follow-up to see how effective they are long-term. This is not the case here).
I won’t go into detail about the actual therapy the guests engage in, as I want to avoid spoilers. Let’s say some of the elements will be familiar to people who have ever undertaken (or even read about) a retreat, but there are some pretty big surprises, and things turn pretty dark too, although people who prefer their novels free from major violence and blood are on safe ground here. That does not mean that there are no serious subjects at the heart of the novel (loss and suicide feature heavily, as does drug use, growing older… and there are major questions asked, such as: what defines who we are, how much value we place in those around us and our relationships with them, our role in society versus our own interests…), but there are moments of mirth and hilarity (many down to Frances, who made me think of the heroin of a chick-lit novel growing older disgracefully, as should be), and despite the difficult moments all the characters go through, this is not a challenging reading experience, and there are no great insights or revelations bound to make any readers feel enlightened or keep them thinking for ages once they finish the novel. It’s true that all the characters learn something by the end, but, if there is a serious message in this novel is that there are no quick-fixes or shortcuts to solving one’s problems, and we have to keep working at it day after day. But you might come to a different conclusion if you read it.
A few quotes from the book:
So I called reception and asked for a lower, cloudier, more comfortable sky. (Frances, describing how she felt contemplating the sky that day).
Sol was a real man who didn’t like adjectives or throw cushions.
She sucked in her stomach, ready to take it like a man, or at least like a romance novelist capable of reading her own royalty statements. (This is dedicated to all fellow authors).
In sum, I enjoyed the novel, although it is not my favourite work by the Moriarty. It has light touches and funny moments, some serious ones, pretty memorable characters, some ominous and dark undertones, it is easy to read, well-written engaging and entertaining. Another Australian author whose books I eagerly await.
I didn’t dislike this book, but, also, didn’t love this book. The first problem I had was that some of the characters knew and were even related to each other so the group was not Nine Perfect Strangers. It was a hodge-podge group of forgettable people. The only one that was of any interest was the doctor who owned the “bed and breakfast” type facility. She was only interesting because she was completely off her rocker. I was disappointed with the book that was hyped up to be a great read.
The best character development I’ve read in a long time. Unique, touching, entertaining.
This book disappointed me.
Usually live her books ans I was not a fan of this
Very entertaining story. The characters each take center stage as the story begins to unfold around them. Each page turn captivates the reader till the very unexpected end!
I love Lianne Moriarty’s books, but as far as I am concerned, this was not her best. Sorry.
Ms. Moriarty has become one of my favorite authors. She never disappoints.
Her worst book. Characters I didnt care about. A stupid scene with LSD that was ridiculously unrealistic.
Not the best of Liane Moriarty; all others are great.
Boring. Contrived. Waste of time.
This book will take you for a wild ride! In the beginning, it seems like a normal health resort, but there are a few remarks from outside that make you want to tread carefully. Things definitely start getting unusual about 25% of the way through. Then, stuff hits the fan halfway through. I definitely read the second half of the book in a span of 24 hours. It is during the ‘stuff-hitting-the-fan-moments’ that the author spices up the novel with some humor. Not like little giggle moments, but true laugh out loud moments (especially Lar’s thoughts right after the noble silence ends and the smoothies have been downed). I could definitely see a film adaption of this someday!
I freaking loved this book so much! I wish it told me who got married at the end but I suspect Francis and Tony though although it could have been Zoe and Ben. But I really think Francis since it said she waited until she was 60. Anywho, this book was beautifully written with several parts that made me laugh and think it was going to end ordinary with everyone having a close to normal experience, and it still would have been wonderful. But the twist with Marsha at the end and the burning building was amazing. Plus I got an update on each character at the end and it was just a fantastic book!
After reading – and loving – her other work, this one was disappointing.
As usual, Liane Moriarty book has wonderful character development and a unique look into the emotions and motivations behind people’s actions and in their lives.
I personally found this book to be a bit intense, but it is advertised as a page-turner, and I’m sure my medical background and childhood history made it just a bit too real and scary for me towards the middle of the book. I couldn’t wait for that section to be over!
And I can say that I enjoyed all the other portions of the book.
Excellently written. Still, too stressful for me, especially during this already stressful, pandemic time.
Usually love her books. Not a fan of this one at all. Struggled to even finish it.
Novelty in plots rarely captures the attention of critics, but without providing a plot spoiler, Liane’s Moriarty’s newest novel, Nine Perfect Strangers, entices readers to continue turning page after page. Frances Welty, a romance writer, provides the one of the main narratives for introducing the reader to Tranquillum House, a retreat that she hopes will provide a jump start for living after disappointments in her life and her career. Although not a typical health retreat, all the guests decide to go along with the regiment because they are all looking for a change. No matter how odd the requests, they allow Masha, the director, to steer them to their future selves. Soon, however, the guests begin to wonder if they should have accepted Masha’s guidance without question. With each new day, guests are challenged in ways they never considered.
Very clever story line, different from most. Found it hard to put down – great characters in an unusual situation.
I liked it,but was not realistic!
I loved most of Laine Mariarty’s books this one was different than others I have read but it was still good. What made this book so good was that you think the book is going to be about one topic then it turns out differently then what you expected.