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Nine Perfect Strangers
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Fiction (2018)Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever?
These 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 Liane Moriarty's writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft.
These 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 Liane Moriarty's writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft.
453 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2018
About the author
Liane Moriarty
37 books65.5k followersLiane Moriarty is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, and Truly Madly Guilty; the New York Times bestsellers Apples Never Fall, Nine Perfect Strangers, What Alice Forgot, and The Last Anniversary; The Hypnotist’s Love Story; and Three Wishes. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35,478 reviews
November 14, 2018
2.5 stars, rounded up.
Ugh. This one really fell flat for me.
The idea of self-improvement is often an appealing one, but it takes so much work, so when someone offers us a quick solution, how can we not jump on it?
That's what is bringing nine people to Tranquillum House, an exclusive health resort in a remote part of Australia. They're coming to lose weight, to detox a bit from the alcohol they've become fond of, to get lots of spa treatments and massages, and to get a jump on the problems that have been plaguing them. In 10 days, the resort promises, they'll feel totally changed.
Frances Welty, once a best-selling romance author, is one of those coming to Tranquillum House. She knows she needs to lose some weight and come to terms with menopause, the imminent decline of her career, and the hurt and humiliation she feels after a romance has gone awry. She's been nursing a bad back, a cold, and a vicious paper cut, and she hopes the pampering and the light fasting will help solve her problems.
Ben and Jessica are a young married couple whose relationship has definitely seen better days. All Ben seems to care about is his fancy new sports car (well, it's a Lamborghini, so can you blame him?) while Jessica has spent tons of money on plastic surgery to make herself look better (at least in her eyes), yet her husband doesn't ever tell her how great she looks. They're hoping some marriage counseling might make the difference.
Napoleon, Heather, and Zoe, are a family that certainly looks healthy. But they're carrying around a lot of grief, anger, regret, fear, and guilt related to a tragedy that happened just three years ago. While it might have been a better idea to go on a cruise or some other vacation, they hope that the time to meditate and reflect might help them move past these issues.
These people and others expect that their stay won't be all pampering and relaxation, but they're not prepared for all that the health resort is going to throw at them. It's going to take some work to make change happen, but they have no idea just how far the director of the resort is willing to take things. It's going to be more than fasting, yoga, massages, and hikes in the beautiful countryside. In some sense, their very survival may be at stake—certainly their willingness to fight for themselves will be challenged.
I had high hopes for Nine Perfect Strangers given how much I enjoyed some of Liane Moriarty's previous books, including Big Little Lies and The Husband's Secret . But this one never took off for me; in fact, the pacing was so slow it felt like I was reading it for 10 days, as long as these characters were planning to be at the health resort!
First of all, when a book introduces 11 characters to you and provides in-depth backstories for most of them, that's a lot to wade through. There definitely were some interesting characters to follow with fascinating (and sometimes sad) stories, but I could have done with half of them, because the constant shifting of narration made it difficult to keep any sort of rhythm.
But honestly, the whole situation with the director of the resort and her decision to take things in a new direction I found utterly laughable. I was waiting to see just how over-the-top Moriarty would take things, and found some of it really hard to believe. I did like the way she tied things up with some of her characters, but I was really disappointed on the whole.
I hate when you've been waiting for an author you like to come out with a new book and it disappoints. The good news for me is, there are still some of Moriarty's earlier books I haven't read, so I look forward to those. And who knows? You may enjoy this one more than I did.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
Ugh. This one really fell flat for me.
The idea of self-improvement is often an appealing one, but it takes so much work, so when someone offers us a quick solution, how can we not jump on it?
That's what is bringing nine people to Tranquillum House, an exclusive health resort in a remote part of Australia. They're coming to lose weight, to detox a bit from the alcohol they've become fond of, to get lots of spa treatments and massages, and to get a jump on the problems that have been plaguing them. In 10 days, the resort promises, they'll feel totally changed.
Frances Welty, once a best-selling romance author, is one of those coming to Tranquillum House. She knows she needs to lose some weight and come to terms with menopause, the imminent decline of her career, and the hurt and humiliation she feels after a romance has gone awry. She's been nursing a bad back, a cold, and a vicious paper cut, and she hopes the pampering and the light fasting will help solve her problems.
Ben and Jessica are a young married couple whose relationship has definitely seen better days. All Ben seems to care about is his fancy new sports car (well, it's a Lamborghini, so can you blame him?) while Jessica has spent tons of money on plastic surgery to make herself look better (at least in her eyes), yet her husband doesn't ever tell her how great she looks. They're hoping some marriage counseling might make the difference.
Napoleon, Heather, and Zoe, are a family that certainly looks healthy. But they're carrying around a lot of grief, anger, regret, fear, and guilt related to a tragedy that happened just three years ago. While it might have been a better idea to go on a cruise or some other vacation, they hope that the time to meditate and reflect might help them move past these issues.
These people and others expect that their stay won't be all pampering and relaxation, but they're not prepared for all that the health resort is going to throw at them. It's going to take some work to make change happen, but they have no idea just how far the director of the resort is willing to take things. It's going to be more than fasting, yoga, massages, and hikes in the beautiful countryside. In some sense, their very survival may be at stake—certainly their willingness to fight for themselves will be challenged.
I had high hopes for Nine Perfect Strangers given how much I enjoyed some of Liane Moriarty's previous books, including Big Little Lies and The Husband's Secret . But this one never took off for me; in fact, the pacing was so slow it felt like I was reading it for 10 days, as long as these characters were planning to be at the health resort!
First of all, when a book introduces 11 characters to you and provides in-depth backstories for most of them, that's a lot to wade through. There definitely were some interesting characters to follow with fascinating (and sometimes sad) stories, but I could have done with half of them, because the constant shifting of narration made it difficult to keep any sort of rhythm.
But honestly, the whole situation with the director of the resort and her decision to take things in a new direction I found utterly laughable. I was waiting to see just how over-the-top Moriarty would take things, and found some of it really hard to believe. I did like the way she tied things up with some of her characters, but I was really disappointed on the whole.
I hate when you've been waiting for an author you like to come out with a new book and it disappoints. The good news for me is, there are still some of Moriarty's earlier books I haven't read, so I look forward to those. And who knows? You may enjoy this one more than I did.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
February 1, 2021
Ok I tried... but I had to put down this books at 56%. Even the audiobook couldn't help me finish it.
This book was shit. There I said it.
I don't say this often nor lightly but this book had zero redeeming qualities. Having read and loved Big Little Lies (a bit to my surprise!), I was excited to read Moriarty's newest work.
In BLL, her characters were attaching and made me care about their stories. In this one, I'm assuming she meant for the characters to not be so loveable but damn... I also hated how much shit the "Instagram model" got. We get it, you judge them and their plastic surgeries, no need to mention it every time she appears.
The "twist" that happens at 55% made me put the book down because honestly at this point the book is a fucking mess and I can't see how this will improve.
No thank you. Don't recommend.
Review: https://youtu.be/-51PEo8Vvto?t=45
This book was shit. There I said it.
I don't say this often nor lightly but this book had zero redeeming qualities. Having read and loved Big Little Lies (a bit to my surprise!), I was excited to read Moriarty's newest work.
In BLL, her characters were attaching and made me care about their stories. In this one, I'm assuming she meant for the characters to not be so loveable but damn... I also hated how much shit the "Instagram model" got. We get it, you judge them and their plastic surgeries, no need to mention it every time she appears.
The "twist" that happens at 55% made me put the book down because honestly at this point the book is a fucking mess and I can't see how this will improve.
No thank you. Don't recommend.
Review: https://youtu.be/-51PEo8Vvto?t=45
July 31, 2018
HER BEST YET.
I said to my husband recently... I just love the way I feel when I’m reading a Liane Moriarty book. Like I'm surrounded by lovely, neurotic, warm, friends. And Liane has done it again with this wonderful book about nine strangers who go to a health retreat. As always, Liane's observations about life are just so damn spot on. Frances was my favourite guest, but the rest of the gang—Napoleon, Tony, Heather, Ben, Jessica, Carmel, Zoe, Yao... even Masha—I adored them too. I sort of wanted to go to that retreat ... and then I didn’t. I really didn't. The book is funny and sad and touching, and full of wisdom. All the feels. I feel so lucky to have read an early copy.
Five stars.
I said to my husband recently... I just love the way I feel when I’m reading a Liane Moriarty book. Like I'm surrounded by lovely, neurotic, warm, friends. And Liane has done it again with this wonderful book about nine strangers who go to a health retreat. As always, Liane's observations about life are just so damn spot on. Frances was my favourite guest, but the rest of the gang—Napoleon, Tony, Heather, Ben, Jessica, Carmel, Zoe, Yao... even Masha—I adored them too. I sort of wanted to go to that retreat ... and then I didn’t. I really didn't. The book is funny and sad and touching, and full of wisdom. All the feels. I feel so lucky to have read an early copy.
Five stars.
November 19, 2018
Looks like a luscious fudge truffle, tastes like a chocolate-dipped gherkin.
Watch out for the green stuff.
I'm a Liane Moriarty fan. But this latest book is a mess. It's being marketed as a psychological thriller, but that's really not accurate since the story has only one major plot twist and very little actual suspense. The book's mission isn't really to surprise: instead, its mission seems to be to preach and nag. Unfortunately, by the end you won't have found out one darned thing you didn't already know.
Moriarty’s usual wry, spot-on observations about the dramas of real life are missing from this book. Setting all the action in an isolated (and oddly un-chichi) health spa cuts Moriarty off from showing everyday life and culture, which has been one of her greatest strengths. These characters are stranded, unable to go about their daily business of planning, worrying, drinking coffee, and bonding with other women. (Or worrying about what other women think of them.)
There are too many characters, eleven in all. And readers really get to know only two well: fifty-something romance author Frances and twenty-year-old nice-kid Zoe, who become unlikely allies as the spa experience grows weirder and more challenging.
The many other characters are painted in broad, overly general strokes, and their stories are only loosely connected. Each of the spa clients has an Important and Topical Issue to fret over: body image issues, menopause, social media addiction, death in the family, starting a family, plastic surgery addiction, the list keeps coming; you get the picture. Perhaps Moriarty had a list with check-off boxes to make sure she represented every demographic group.
Issues basically stand in for character development. I kept getting Ms. Guilty Grieving Mother mixed up with Ms. Body Image: both characters had dark hair and very little backstory, and they both moped around a lot. After a few hundred pages of characters sloooowly figuring out their many problems, all of the resolutions for even the major stories are sorted out and summed up in short, abrupt epilogue paragraphs. Hunh? And don’t even get me started on the book's single obligatory romance, which takes place
I’m guessing Moriarty was aiming to show all these strangers gradually thawing and bonding through the spa's team-building activities. And there is some of that. But the novel is really more like Fantasy Island goes to and the many unrelated characters' stories are connected very loosely by that hokey Fantasy Island plot device: they're all there at the same time to Change Their Lives.
And here is the novel’s biggest problem: the head of the spa is a great big galloping cartoon, a Russian control freak who improbably Even at the novel’s beginning, this character spouts so many Russian endearments she sounds like a Bond villain, and by extension, a peculiarly dated Cold War-era cliché.
Stereotyping is a problem with other characters as well. The book’s single gay character stops on his way to the spa to buy a case of really good wine and dreams of having a child who's a mini-me. The book’s only minority character is relegated to the thankless role of boss-worshiping flunkey. There is also nonstop gratuitous bashing of women who have body image issues (she really doesn’t need to lose weight! she just thinks she does), women who choose to have plastic surgery, and women who devote time to social media. The brief validation these characters get at the novel’s conclusion in no way compensates for the repeated scolding they weather throughout the rest of the book. Not to mention the fact that these aren’t solely women’s issues.
At one point, the book breaks the fourth wall in a trippy, meta way that I actually liked. We get dialogue from Frances’ editor: “!!!!” and “cliché?” which is just darned cute. But what a long way to travel for a mild joke.
Finally, the last word in the novel is devoted to a move that comes across as petty and weird, especially coming from a novelist who's basically become critic-proof.
I received my copy of the book through a Goodreads giveaway, and I was really excited until I actually read the book. Thanks Macmillan Flatiron and Goodreads, because the book is really pretty to look at.
Watch out for the green stuff.
I'm a Liane Moriarty fan. But this latest book is a mess. It's being marketed as a psychological thriller, but that's really not accurate since the story has only one major plot twist and very little actual suspense. The book's mission isn't really to surprise: instead, its mission seems to be to preach and nag. Unfortunately, by the end you won't have found out one darned thing you didn't already know.
Moriarty’s usual wry, spot-on observations about the dramas of real life are missing from this book. Setting all the action in an isolated (and oddly un-chichi) health spa cuts Moriarty off from showing everyday life and culture, which has been one of her greatest strengths. These characters are stranded, unable to go about their daily business of planning, worrying, drinking coffee, and bonding with other women. (Or worrying about what other women think of them.)
There are too many characters, eleven in all. And readers really get to know only two well: fifty-something romance author Frances and twenty-year-old nice-kid Zoe, who become unlikely allies as the spa experience grows weirder and more challenging.
The many other characters are painted in broad, overly general strokes, and their stories are only loosely connected. Each of the spa clients has an Important and Topical Issue to fret over: body image issues, menopause, social media addiction, death in the family, starting a family, plastic surgery addiction, the list keeps coming; you get the picture. Perhaps Moriarty had a list with check-off boxes to make sure she represented every demographic group.
Issues basically stand in for character development. I kept getting Ms. Guilty Grieving Mother mixed up with Ms. Body Image: both characters had dark hair and very little backstory, and they both moped around a lot. After a few hundred pages of characters sloooowly figuring out their many problems, all of the resolutions for even the major stories are sorted out and summed up in short, abrupt epilogue paragraphs. Hunh? And don’t even get me started on the book's single obligatory romance, which takes place
I’m guessing Moriarty was aiming to show all these strangers gradually thawing and bonding through the spa's team-building activities. And there is some of that. But the novel is really more like Fantasy Island goes to and the many unrelated characters' stories are connected very loosely by that hokey Fantasy Island plot device: they're all there at the same time to Change Their Lives.
And here is the novel’s biggest problem: the head of the spa is a great big galloping cartoon, a Russian control freak who improbably Even at the novel’s beginning, this character spouts so many Russian endearments she sounds like a Bond villain, and by extension, a peculiarly dated Cold War-era cliché.
Stereotyping is a problem with other characters as well. The book’s single gay character stops on his way to the spa to buy a case of really good wine and dreams of having a child who's a mini-me. The book’s only minority character is relegated to the thankless role of boss-worshiping flunkey. There is also nonstop gratuitous bashing of women who have body image issues (she really doesn’t need to lose weight! she just thinks she does), women who choose to have plastic surgery, and women who devote time to social media. The brief validation these characters get at the novel’s conclusion in no way compensates for the repeated scolding they weather throughout the rest of the book. Not to mention the fact that these aren’t solely women’s issues.
At one point, the book breaks the fourth wall in a trippy, meta way that I actually liked. We get dialogue from Frances’ editor: “!!!!” and “cliché?” which is just darned cute. But what a long way to travel for a mild joke.
Finally, the last word in the novel is devoted to a move that comes across as petty and weird, especially coming from a novelist who's basically become critic-proof.
I received my copy of the book through a Goodreads giveaway, and I was really excited until I actually read the book. Thanks Macmillan Flatiron and Goodreads, because the book is really pretty to look at.
November 24, 2018
I never, ever thought I'd say this about a Liane Moriarty novel but...what a terrible, boring, pointless novel!
I really disliked this one. Couldn't wait for it to be over, actually. It was so boring and also claustrophobic at the same time, giving me a sense of desperation for these people to just be set free already. For the life of me I could not understand what the purpose of this book was. It didn't even sound like a Moriarty.
I am still a fan of the author and will for sure give her another try when the next novel comes out but this one? Wow, what a waste of my time...
I really disliked this one. Couldn't wait for it to be over, actually. It was so boring and also claustrophobic at the same time, giving me a sense of desperation for these people to just be set free already. For the life of me I could not understand what the purpose of this book was. It didn't even sound like a Moriarty.
I am still a fan of the author and will for sure give her another try when the next novel comes out but this one? Wow, what a waste of my time...
September 11, 2018
Liane Moriarty's latest offering is a hugely enjoyable psychological thriller that is pure fun and entertainment whilst incorporating a look beneath the issues of a wide cast of characters and the moving stories that lie behind the facade of their everyday lives. Set in Australia, Tranquillem House is a health and wellness resort that many clients claim transformed their lives for the better. The latest batch of arrivals are 9 strangers that get considerably more than they bargained for with their 10 day cleansing programme of diet, light exercise, therapy and spa treatments. It is run by the Russian Masha, a ruthlessly ambitious former company executive whose near death experience led to a complete change in her life direction. Masha had a dark and hidden agenda for her latest customers, driven by the best of intentions, supported by her primary staff members, Yao, and Delilah.
Twice married Frances Welty is an established writer of romances whose career has gone into freefall with her latest offering being rejected by the publishing industry and whose boyfriend, Paul Drabble, has disappeared. Ben and Jessica are a troubled married couple who appear to be remarkably well off. Napoleon is a schoolteacher, with his wife, Heather, and daughter, Zoe, the entire family weighed down by grief and guilt. Tony is a former star footballer, who has recently lost his beloved dog, Banjo. Carmel has lost her husband to a younger woman, has four children, and has lost her self esteem and confidence. Lars is a well heeled divorce lawyer, who only represents wives in his word of mouth law practice. As the story progresses, the backstories and issues that lie behind each individual comes to be slowly revealed. The narcissistic, remote and humourless Masha has plans for them which she is certain will truly transform their lives and which will presage a glorious and glittering future with her in the limelight, enjoying global acclaim.
There is plenty of sly humour and wit in Moriarty's story of madness and mayhem at a health resort, where people with little in common with each other find themselves in circumstances where they form unexpected bonds and undergo unexpected transformations. The characters are well drawn and distinct, beautifully developed, all with such high hopes for their short stay at Tranquillem House, their interactions with each other are a joy to hehold. There are heartbreaking stories behind some of the characters, including Masha, that become apparent by the end. I found it hard to resist Moriarty's magic and succumbed to this fabulous novel with absolutely no regrets. A fantastic read with plenty of suspense and tension that comes highly recommended. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
Twice married Frances Welty is an established writer of romances whose career has gone into freefall with her latest offering being rejected by the publishing industry and whose boyfriend, Paul Drabble, has disappeared. Ben and Jessica are a troubled married couple who appear to be remarkably well off. Napoleon is a schoolteacher, with his wife, Heather, and daughter, Zoe, the entire family weighed down by grief and guilt. Tony is a former star footballer, who has recently lost his beloved dog, Banjo. Carmel has lost her husband to a younger woman, has four children, and has lost her self esteem and confidence. Lars is a well heeled divorce lawyer, who only represents wives in his word of mouth law practice. As the story progresses, the backstories and issues that lie behind each individual comes to be slowly revealed. The narcissistic, remote and humourless Masha has plans for them which she is certain will truly transform their lives and which will presage a glorious and glittering future with her in the limelight, enjoying global acclaim.
There is plenty of sly humour and wit in Moriarty's story of madness and mayhem at a health resort, where people with little in common with each other find themselves in circumstances where they form unexpected bonds and undergo unexpected transformations. The characters are well drawn and distinct, beautifully developed, all with such high hopes for their short stay at Tranquillem House, their interactions with each other are a joy to hehold. There are heartbreaking stories behind some of the characters, including Masha, that become apparent by the end. I found it hard to resist Moriarty's magic and succumbed to this fabulous novel with absolutely no regrets. A fantastic read with plenty of suspense and tension that comes highly recommended. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
November 16, 2018
Seriously, I don't know if I loved this book or absolutely hated it. Half way through I was done with it...but, there is a pull to keep you reading to see what happens to the Idiotic Nine, whom I also loved and hated.
There are 10-11 storylines in the book all told sporadically from each of their points of view. It wasn't confusing in the least, but it did get rather boring, especially for the characters that I didn't like. Even the epilogue went on....and on.....and on. Perhaps if it had been more selectively edited I would have enjoyed it more but, as it was, it is a book I will forget by next week. I expect better and more from Moriarty. Sadly.
There are 10-11 storylines in the book all told sporadically from each of their points of view. It wasn't confusing in the least, but it did get rather boring, especially for the characters that I didn't like. Even the epilogue went on....and on.....and on. Perhaps if it had been more selectively edited I would have enjoyed it more but, as it was, it is a book I will forget by next week. I expect better and more from Moriarty. Sadly.
November 25, 2018
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty is a 2018 Flatiron publication.
Frances- former bestselling romance author- ironically the victim of a romance con/scam
Lars- divorce attorney representing women only
Tony- former professional sports star
Napoleon, Heather, and Zoe- family coming apart at the seams
Caramel- Husband dumped her for a younger woman- wants to lose weight – gain positive self -image
Ben and Jessica – marriage on the rocks after winning the lottery
Masha- Head guru- health spa owner
Nine people, all from very different walks of life, arrive at Tranquillum House, a highly recommended health resort. Each of them is coping with various life issues, from simple domestic uncertainties, or huge family problems, to marital woes, and weight loss goals.
After the prologue, the first character the reader is introduced to is Frances. This was a great opener for the avid reader who will ‘get’ the subtle and not so subtle digs at the publishing industry and the trends they run right into the ground until they become a parody of themselves, forcing authors to either hop on board the train or wait for their chosen genre to become popular again. So, right away, I knew I was going have to see how Frances fared, and was all in. I couldn’t wait to see what other sardonic observations the author had up her sleeve.
But, I must warn you. This book is not like Moriarty’s previous novels, which usually centered around the family unit, providing a taut element of suspense, blended with humor and sarcasm. This novel has the humor, sarcasm and the suspense, but the setting is not at all domestic, as you will see.
I usually dislike novels with a large cast of characters. I get confused easily trying to keep up with so many backstories and the plot is usually way too busy. However, this book is an exception. I had no trouble keeping up the characters and the plot is straightforward, so despite the number of characters, the story has a nice, even flow. The only drawback might be that it loses some of the intimacy of Moriarty’s previous works.
I loved all the characters. They are a zany group of people, flawed of course, some dealing with deeper issues than others, but all of them are so human and real. I rooted for and cared for them all, but Frances remained a favorite character for me from start to finish. Heather, Zoe, and Napoleon have the meatiest story in the book and evoke some serious emotions.
Overall, this one is a bit of a departure for Liane Moriarty, but her signature style is etched all through the novel. While the plot is just this side of deranged, the story is a compulsive read, perhaps a little overlong, but otherwise compelling and highly engrossing!!
Frances- former bestselling romance author- ironically the victim of a romance con/scam
Lars- divorce attorney representing women only
Tony- former professional sports star
Napoleon, Heather, and Zoe- family coming apart at the seams
Caramel- Husband dumped her for a younger woman- wants to lose weight – gain positive self -image
Ben and Jessica – marriage on the rocks after winning the lottery
Masha- Head guru- health spa owner
Nine people, all from very different walks of life, arrive at Tranquillum House, a highly recommended health resort. Each of them is coping with various life issues, from simple domestic uncertainties, or huge family problems, to marital woes, and weight loss goals.
After the prologue, the first character the reader is introduced to is Frances. This was a great opener for the avid reader who will ‘get’ the subtle and not so subtle digs at the publishing industry and the trends they run right into the ground until they become a parody of themselves, forcing authors to either hop on board the train or wait for their chosen genre to become popular again. So, right away, I knew I was going have to see how Frances fared, and was all in. I couldn’t wait to see what other sardonic observations the author had up her sleeve.
But, I must warn you. This book is not like Moriarty’s previous novels, which usually centered around the family unit, providing a taut element of suspense, blended with humor and sarcasm. This novel has the humor, sarcasm and the suspense, but the setting is not at all domestic, as you will see.
I usually dislike novels with a large cast of characters. I get confused easily trying to keep up with so many backstories and the plot is usually way too busy. However, this book is an exception. I had no trouble keeping up the characters and the plot is straightforward, so despite the number of characters, the story has a nice, even flow. The only drawback might be that it loses some of the intimacy of Moriarty’s previous works.
I loved all the characters. They are a zany group of people, flawed of course, some dealing with deeper issues than others, but all of them are so human and real. I rooted for and cared for them all, but Frances remained a favorite character for me from start to finish. Heather, Zoe, and Napoleon have the meatiest story in the book and evoke some serious emotions.
Overall, this one is a bit of a departure for Liane Moriarty, but her signature style is etched all through the novel. While the plot is just this side of deranged, the story is a compulsive read, perhaps a little overlong, but otherwise compelling and highly engrossing!!
April 19, 2019
This book was a barrel
of fun!
I mean really ~ nutty, quirky, and just hilarious.
I LOVE a good health spa, and the remote Tranquillum House sounded absolutely breathtaking. Nine people sign up for a 10 day visit to achieve a "cleanse" and do a bit of recharging. They have absolutely no idea whats in store for them. Lets just say the rather exotic director, Masha is downright creepy and she might be a bit of control freak. At one point Masha tells her guests, "This is a health resort, not a prison." Hmm...time to worry I'd say!
Frances was my FAVORITE guest and she is hilarious. She is also a down and out romance writer. She can't decide if Masha is mad, crazy, nuts and unhinged or perhaps shes a "genius" and really odd, alternative, intense, excessively tall and exotic. No one can seem to figure her out!
We meet all the guests and their quirks and behind the scenes antics. I was laughing out loud throughout this book and the snarky humor and over the top spa stay was a blast!
It was probably a bit too long and could have been shorter, but it had a lot to offer. Mixed reviews had me hesitant, but I'm glad I purchased this one for myself (a treat). Something about a health spa gone wrong was just my perfect read. Read if for a wild week at the spa!
I might call this a dark, comic fiction with a hint of thriller. I'm already searching for another Moriarty fix.
I mean really ~ nutty, quirky, and just hilarious.
I LOVE a good health spa, and the remote Tranquillum House sounded absolutely breathtaking. Nine people sign up for a 10 day visit to achieve a "cleanse" and do a bit of recharging. They have absolutely no idea whats in store for them. Lets just say the rather exotic director, Masha is downright creepy and she might be a bit of control freak. At one point Masha tells her guests, "This is a health resort, not a prison." Hmm...time to worry I'd say!
Frances was my FAVORITE guest and she is hilarious. She is also a down and out romance writer. She can't decide if Masha is mad, crazy, nuts and unhinged or perhaps shes a "genius" and really odd, alternative, intense, excessively tall and exotic. No one can seem to figure her out!
We meet all the guests and their quirks and behind the scenes antics. I was laughing out loud throughout this book and the snarky humor and over the top spa stay was a blast!
It was probably a bit too long and could have been shorter, but it had a lot to offer. Mixed reviews had me hesitant, but I'm glad I purchased this one for myself (a treat). Something about a health spa gone wrong was just my perfect read. Read if for a wild week at the spa!
I might call this a dark, comic fiction with a hint of thriller. I'm already searching for another Moriarty fix.
December 29, 2018
Wildly entertaining, wickedly perceptive & an irresistible page-turner!
“It’s just a story!” ......and oh boy what a story it was!
NINE PERFECT STRANGERS by LIANE MORIARTY was such a fantastic, lighthearted, fun, sad, and touching story that was so thought-provoking and yet so humourous to read. I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t get enough of these quirky characters. I adored this book right from the very start and had me laughing out loud numerous times and then at other times gasping out loud in shock for the pain that some of these characters were suffering.
LIANE MORIARTY delivers quite the fascinating, intriguing, vulnerable, lifelike, and beautifully written read here with quirky and realistic characters, a brazen and dynamic premise and an extremely spellbinding and enthralling storyline.
What really stood out about this novel for me was how realistic and raw these characters were written. I could see myself and others in probably every single one of these characters in this story. I thought the inner thoughts and dialogue was absolutely spot on.
I absolutely loved the way that this novel made me feel and yup in the end it gave me that warmth and satisfying afterglow that I seek in my books.
This was a Traveling Friends Group Read that I read with some Goodreads & Instagram friends. Thanks so much for the wonderful reading experience!!!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Simply beautiful, natural, effective & purely Moriarty! P.S. - Do you see an outline of a woman’s body on the cover?
Title: Appealing, suspenseful, intriguing and a fabulous representation to storyline. The nine guests were perfectly imperfect!
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging, captivating, witty, intelligent and smart.
Plot: Intriguing, clever, thought-provoking, suspenseful, perfectly-paced, absorbing, enjoyable and highly entertaining.
Ending: Clever and totally satisfying. Loved the progressive timeline.
Overall: An extremely enjoyable & entertaining read that had me totally engrossed from start to finish! Would highly recommend!
Review can also be found on our Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
“It’s just a story!” ......and oh boy what a story it was!
NINE PERFECT STRANGERS by LIANE MORIARTY was such a fantastic, lighthearted, fun, sad, and touching story that was so thought-provoking and yet so humourous to read. I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t get enough of these quirky characters. I adored this book right from the very start and had me laughing out loud numerous times and then at other times gasping out loud in shock for the pain that some of these characters were suffering.
LIANE MORIARTY delivers quite the fascinating, intriguing, vulnerable, lifelike, and beautifully written read here with quirky and realistic characters, a brazen and dynamic premise and an extremely spellbinding and enthralling storyline.
What really stood out about this novel for me was how realistic and raw these characters were written. I could see myself and others in probably every single one of these characters in this story. I thought the inner thoughts and dialogue was absolutely spot on.
I absolutely loved the way that this novel made me feel and yup in the end it gave me that warmth and satisfying afterglow that I seek in my books.
This was a Traveling Friends Group Read that I read with some Goodreads & Instagram friends. Thanks so much for the wonderful reading experience!!!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Simply beautiful, natural, effective & purely Moriarty! P.S. - Do you see an outline of a woman’s body on the cover?
Title: Appealing, suspenseful, intriguing and a fabulous representation to storyline. The nine guests were perfectly imperfect!
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging, captivating, witty, intelligent and smart.
Plot: Intriguing, clever, thought-provoking, suspenseful, perfectly-paced, absorbing, enjoyable and highly entertaining.
Ending: Clever and totally satisfying. Loved the progressive timeline.
Overall: An extremely enjoyable & entertaining read that had me totally engrossed from start to finish! Would highly recommend!
Review can also be found on our Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
August 20, 2021
Update….
Paul and I watched the first two episodes- out of the three that are available- on Hulu last night —
Between the two of us —- we were laughing a lot -
Gorgeous setting - GREAT characters…some funny dialogue!!!
Has anyone else watched it?
A FILM IS COMING SOON .... looks fun!!!!
Namaste 🙏.
.... or me kicking a flat tire - over and over and over again wishing it wasn’t flat!!!!
I JUST NOW LOST THE FIRST 70% of this review while trying to copy it from my notes to the Goodreads site.
I tried a dozen times to magically make it reappear.
Not happening. 😕
Love spending my wheels - ‘not’ getting other needed things done! 🤨
A quick reprise ...
At the start we meet Yao... he’s a training paramedic.
On his third day out he meets a middle-age woman who had fallen out of a chair. Obviously a heavy smoker - some overworked bigwig - who paid little attention to her personal health. Masha was soon having a full blown cardiac arrest.
10 years later - Yao is a well being consultant at the healing resort. Masha is the Head honcho. Her regimens are unconventional... ha to say the least. We learn more about the rules and tactics as time goes on.
We meet Frances. The first guest to arrive. She drove from Sydney in her Peugeot.
Frances is 52 years old, twice divorced, a romance novelist. Her agent just gave her crappy news. Nobody wants her new book.
Add her bad back, a cold, and a recent breakup.
Hopefully rest - relaxation- hot springs - massages - gentle fasting- will be cleansing- healing - and transforming.
Namaste 🙏
Frances can’t open the gate to the Wellness Resort. She entered the correct code several times - but it still won’t open. Twenty frustrating minutes go by and new guests arrive.
Namaste 🙏
Ben and Jessica - a young married couple arrive.
Ben drives a canary yellow Lamborghini. Jessica has a ridiculously tiny waist, skintight Capri pants.. walking in stilettos.
She’s had so much plastic surgery done - her lips look like a blowfish.
Ben let’s us know that the more work she had done on her face and body the less secure Jessica was about herself.
Namaste 🙏
Frances, Ben, and Jessica make introductions.
Namaste 🙏
The gate opens easily when Ben enters the ‘correct’ button code. “Just needed a man’s touch”, he says. Ha!
Ha- Ha .... I could’ve used anybody’s touch to simply get my old review back!
Namaste 🙏 ...
Moving on.....
We meet the other guests. We continue with backstories. We become familiar with everyone’s personalities- quirks - feelings of despair, emptiness, shame, fears, anger, sadness, grief, secrets, and guilt. Everyone is dealing with the curves life has thrown at them...hoping these ten days will be fulfilling- an important path taken to understanding and healing themselves and finding peace.
Namaste 🙏
There are many ‘no-no’s.
No alcohol, drugs, candy, or hidden snacks.
No crappy junk food eating,
...’no no’s’ are confiscated during check-in.
No designing your own daily schedule.
Namaste 🙏
Surprise - The first five days are complete silent days.
‘No no’ the chatterboxing with thy neighbor.
Namaste 🙏
Things guests say ‘yes’ too.’
They follow their personalized daily schedule:
Example:
Dawn: Tai chi class.
7am: breakfast - in silence
8am- walking meditation
10am: One on one exercise class
11am: Remedial massage
12 noon: lunch
1pm: Guided sitting meditation
2-4pm: free time
5pm: yoga class
6pm: dinner
7-9pm: free time
9pm: lights out
Namaste 🙏
Sneaking & sharing:
divine food treats - Reese’s peanut butter cups.
Shhhh ( these are no-no’s)
Naughty - naughty!
Namaste 🙏 or Holy Cow 🐮
Meet Masha:
She’s odd, poisonous...
with an ax to grind.
She’s mad. She’s crazy. She’s nuts!!
Shhh...she’ll offer her guests a smoothie laced with LSD.
So what’s to make of
these almost 500 pages of transformation with psychedelic therapy? Pretend everything is normal? Perhaps- perhaps not.
Namaste 🙏
The pages fly by.
The characters are priceless.
They even eventually huddle together
Maybe transformation is nothing better than a hot shower!
Great epilogue....
....why so many low reviews?
Don’t ask me. I enjoyed this book.
Looking forward to this coming on screen.
Paul and I watched the first two episodes- out of the three that are available- on Hulu last night —
Between the two of us —- we were laughing a lot -
Gorgeous setting - GREAT characters…some funny dialogue!!!
Has anyone else watched it?
A FILM IS COMING SOON .... looks fun!!!!
Namaste 🙏.
.... or me kicking a flat tire - over and over and over again wishing it wasn’t flat!!!!
I JUST NOW LOST THE FIRST 70% of this review while trying to copy it from my notes to the Goodreads site.
I tried a dozen times to magically make it reappear.
Not happening. 😕
Love spending my wheels - ‘not’ getting other needed things done! 🤨
A quick reprise ...
At the start we meet Yao... he’s a training paramedic.
On his third day out he meets a middle-age woman who had fallen out of a chair. Obviously a heavy smoker - some overworked bigwig - who paid little attention to her personal health. Masha was soon having a full blown cardiac arrest.
10 years later - Yao is a well being consultant at the healing resort. Masha is the Head honcho. Her regimens are unconventional... ha to say the least. We learn more about the rules and tactics as time goes on.
We meet Frances. The first guest to arrive. She drove from Sydney in her Peugeot.
Frances is 52 years old, twice divorced, a romance novelist. Her agent just gave her crappy news. Nobody wants her new book.
Add her bad back, a cold, and a recent breakup.
Hopefully rest - relaxation- hot springs - massages - gentle fasting- will be cleansing- healing - and transforming.
Namaste 🙏
Frances can’t open the gate to the Wellness Resort. She entered the correct code several times - but it still won’t open. Twenty frustrating minutes go by and new guests arrive.
Namaste 🙏
Ben and Jessica - a young married couple arrive.
Ben drives a canary yellow Lamborghini. Jessica has a ridiculously tiny waist, skintight Capri pants.. walking in stilettos.
She’s had so much plastic surgery done - her lips look like a blowfish.
Ben let’s us know that the more work she had done on her face and body the less secure Jessica was about herself.
Namaste 🙏
Frances, Ben, and Jessica make introductions.
Namaste 🙏
The gate opens easily when Ben enters the ‘correct’ button code. “Just needed a man’s touch”, he says. Ha!
Ha- Ha .... I could’ve used anybody’s touch to simply get my old review back!
Namaste 🙏 ...
Moving on.....
We meet the other guests. We continue with backstories. We become familiar with everyone’s personalities- quirks - feelings of despair, emptiness, shame, fears, anger, sadness, grief, secrets, and guilt. Everyone is dealing with the curves life has thrown at them...hoping these ten days will be fulfilling- an important path taken to understanding and healing themselves and finding peace.
Namaste 🙏
There are many ‘no-no’s.
No alcohol, drugs, candy, or hidden snacks.
No crappy junk food eating,
...’no no’s’ are confiscated during check-in.
No designing your own daily schedule.
Namaste 🙏
Surprise - The first five days are complete silent days.
‘No no’ the chatterboxing with thy neighbor.
Namaste 🙏
Things guests say ‘yes’ too.’
They follow their personalized daily schedule:
Example:
Dawn: Tai chi class.
7am: breakfast - in silence
8am- walking meditation
10am: One on one exercise class
11am: Remedial massage
12 noon: lunch
1pm: Guided sitting meditation
2-4pm: free time
5pm: yoga class
6pm: dinner
7-9pm: free time
9pm: lights out
Namaste 🙏
Sneaking & sharing:
divine food treats - Reese’s peanut butter cups.
Shhhh ( these are no-no’s)
Naughty - naughty!
Namaste 🙏 or Holy Cow 🐮
Meet Masha:
She’s odd, poisonous...
with an ax to grind.
She’s mad. She’s crazy. She’s nuts!!
Shhh...she’ll offer her guests a smoothie laced with LSD.
So what’s to make of
these almost 500 pages of transformation with psychedelic therapy? Pretend everything is normal? Perhaps- perhaps not.
Namaste 🙏
The pages fly by.
The characters are priceless.
They even eventually huddle together
Maybe transformation is nothing better than a hot shower!
Great epilogue....
....why so many low reviews?
Don’t ask me. I enjoyed this book.
Looking forward to this coming on screen.
July 10, 2020
This was a trip (yeah... I went there) 😂🤣 9 strangers go to a wellness retreat for various reasons and get more than they bargained for. There were two characters that just felt thrown in there- so perhaps it could have been 7, instead of 9. 😉 This had some twisty craziness for sure. I just kinda felt like I was rolling downhill and was ready for the end long before it came. 🤪
November 10, 2018
Nine Perfect Strangers wasn’t the fun, fast read I was hoping for. The characters who check into the Tranquillum Spa are all weighted down with sad baggage. The first half of the novel details their past woes. I kept reading because I found a couple of the characters likable and the central character, Frances, quite endearing. Then there is a pivotal, ludicrous event which is just a vehicle for more unloading of emotional baggage. This book felt unbearably long. I skimmed the last couple hundred pages just to make sure I didn't miss anything. Nope. Nothing.
October 27, 2018
Ahh, this rating breaks my heart. I love Liane Moriarty, but this book was too looney tunes for me. At times I thought I had fallen down a rabbit hole, cracked my head hard, and was hallucinating.
To break it down further, I’d rate the characters and the witty observations of life at 4 stars. So I enjoyed chunks of it, and it wasn’t a waste of time.
BUT, big but..
The plot lost me. Too far fetched and way too ludicrous, I felt like “it” could never have escalated the way it did, without someone calling a halt. I just wanted the crazy to stop.
Damn, I longed to love this.
To break it down further, I’d rate the characters and the witty observations of life at 4 stars. So I enjoyed chunks of it, and it wasn’t a waste of time.
BUT, big but..
The plot lost me. Too far fetched and way too ludicrous, I felt like “it” could never have escalated the way it did, without someone calling a halt. I just wanted the crazy to stop.
Damn, I longed to love this.
November 3, 2018
A slow starter halfway through and it wasn’t grabbing me then BAM, things started to happen...but seriously how does she do it!? Get into the heads of her characters, like she has a window into the thought patterns of people. It’s uncanny and it’s such a skilled craft! If nothing else I’m obsessed with the way that she uncovers her characters individual foibles and indiosyncracies in the most amusing and hilarious ways poking fun at so many common cliches and stereotypes it’s hard not to snigger along at the characters expense but all light heartedly of course! In all her characters there is always something to relate to even if intially you find nothing in common from the outer. Anyway I have no plans to discuss the plot, read this if your already a big fan of Liane Moriarty’s books, if not then this book won’t change your mind. I can state I don’t care so much for plot when reading her books I just enjoy the journey getting there. It’s always entertaining.
June 6, 2019
UPDATE June 2019: They ARE making this into a TV series (or maybe a movie?)! No date given yet, but Nicole Kidman is cast as the spa director. Hot dog!
4.5
No snack stashes allowed! (But I’m still rounding up)
If I went to a health spa and they confiscated my phone and secretly raided my suitcase for snack stashes, I’d think WTF? What did I sign up for? Those snacks were there for a reason. And the phone, oh dear. As Moriarty writes, ““How was she going to cope for ten days without instant answers to idle questions?” Sigh, what would any of us do without Google?
People arriving at the health spa in Nine Perfect Strangers did not want a WTF moment, I guarantee you. They wanted to relax and they wanted to try something new, but mostly they wanted to improve—lose weight or eat right or feel better. The plot thickens, but that’s all I’m going to say about the story; you need to go into this one blind.
I was worried about whether my head could hold 9 guests (plus 3 people running the place) without bursting or making me feel senile, but as usual Moriarty pulls it off. Her main trick is to go slowly. She never introduces a person before you have the previous character down pat. She doesn’t jam-pack a party and make you take a name test at the end. It’s like you visit with each person separately so by the time Moriarty has them interacting, you know their scoops. And, per Moriarty style, she makes a bunch of ordinary people seem interesting. Each chapter is about one person, and this style works well.
I get pissed that people call Moriarty books chick lit. Maybe it’s because some of the guests are into their appearance, which makes them seem superficial. But we get to see what these characters are thinking and what they really worry about deep down. Every person has baggage and we get to see what’s inside the suitcase.
And then there’s the Women and Their Weight hot topic. Although that theme isn’t front and center in this book, it does get some air time, which I think leads people to whisper “chick lit.”
Moriarty’s books aren’t epic, complex stories that are massive pieces of art. But Moriarty shows what makes people tick and gives us characters who are introspective. And they are relatable, a big plus. One of her books, What Alice Forgot, was so wonderful that it made my all-time favorites list, and if that means I have chick lit on that precious list, so be it.
Add suspense, humor, insight, a good plot, and decent writing, and you have yourself an excellent book. I was thoroughly entertained.
And at about the halfway point, I couldn’t put the book down. I didn’t have a clue about what was going to happen. All of the sudden there was a piece of dialogue, actually one sentence, that was delivered brilliantly and made me sit up straight as I entered a whole new scene. And there were surprises every few minutes after that. I will say that many reviewers complain about the second half of the book. It does change genres (again, I’m staying mum so as not to spoil anything), but it was brilliant. There was one scene that was totally over the top, which annoyed me, but it wasn’t enough for me to knock off a star.
Here are examples of Moriarty’s funny:
“Great veins,” he said. Nurses often said that about Frances’s veins. She always felt momentarily proud and then kind of depressed, because what a waste of a positive attribute.”
“It was depressing to be treated like a refrigerator.”
“She was a terrible winker; she found it hard to close only one eye and had been told that her attempt looked like an extraordinary facial spasm.”
“’Your skin is gorgeous!’ Frances gesticulated wildly, probably because she was trying not to look at Zoe’s pimple.”
And these sentences will give you an idea of her style:
“He’d thought, full of love and testosterone, that he would protect his woman from bad men and heavy furniture and upsetting food.”
“She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she didn’t record this moment on her phone then it wasn’t really happening.”
“Women and their bodies! The most abusive and toxic of relationships.”
Moriarty is heavy on dialogue (which I love) and doesn’t venture out into the wilderness to describe leaves and pebbles (which also gets my stamp of approval). It was only when someone thinks they see a kangaroo on the road that I realized I was in Australia! Kangaroo? I want to see a kangaroo! Must accept that it’s not going to happen here in the states, so sad. Even the word makes me laugh, it’s so playful, jazzy, and rhythmic.
Yes, there is a small Complaint Board. You know I didn’t like the one over-the-top scene. But there are three more nits:
-A few sentences had faulty grammar. (Where oh where was the editor?) Anyway, they didn’t make me twitch for long.
-The book title is wrong, I tell you! The nine people aren’t all strangers: There is a couple and there’s a family of three. The editor in me just hates that the title isn’t accurate. (I need to get a life, lol.)
-The book is about 450 pages. Writers, please keep it under 400 pages. I might have adult ADD you know.
I loved this novel. One of the reasons I rounded up to 5 stars is because I know I’ll remember the plotline for a long while (memory longevity factors into my rating).
I hope they make the book into a movie; I would love to see this on the screen. Hm…I need to think about what to tell the director about casting, lol, once I make my choices. Maybe they will make it into a movie since Big Little Lies transferred to the scene so well. (btw, I can’t wait to see Season 2, coming up in 2019, with queen Meryl Streep!)
And of course I want to read the Moriarty books I’ve missed. She’s one of my favorite authors. Check this book out!
4.5
No snack stashes allowed! (But I’m still rounding up)
If I went to a health spa and they confiscated my phone and secretly raided my suitcase for snack stashes, I’d think WTF? What did I sign up for? Those snacks were there for a reason. And the phone, oh dear. As Moriarty writes, ““How was she going to cope for ten days without instant answers to idle questions?” Sigh, what would any of us do without Google?
People arriving at the health spa in Nine Perfect Strangers did not want a WTF moment, I guarantee you. They wanted to relax and they wanted to try something new, but mostly they wanted to improve—lose weight or eat right or feel better. The plot thickens, but that’s all I’m going to say about the story; you need to go into this one blind.
I was worried about whether my head could hold 9 guests (plus 3 people running the place) without bursting or making me feel senile, but as usual Moriarty pulls it off. Her main trick is to go slowly. She never introduces a person before you have the previous character down pat. She doesn’t jam-pack a party and make you take a name test at the end. It’s like you visit with each person separately so by the time Moriarty has them interacting, you know their scoops. And, per Moriarty style, she makes a bunch of ordinary people seem interesting. Each chapter is about one person, and this style works well.
I get pissed that people call Moriarty books chick lit. Maybe it’s because some of the guests are into their appearance, which makes them seem superficial. But we get to see what these characters are thinking and what they really worry about deep down. Every person has baggage and we get to see what’s inside the suitcase.
And then there’s the Women and Their Weight hot topic. Although that theme isn’t front and center in this book, it does get some air time, which I think leads people to whisper “chick lit.”
Moriarty’s books aren’t epic, complex stories that are massive pieces of art. But Moriarty shows what makes people tick and gives us characters who are introspective. And they are relatable, a big plus. One of her books, What Alice Forgot, was so wonderful that it made my all-time favorites list, and if that means I have chick lit on that precious list, so be it.
Add suspense, humor, insight, a good plot, and decent writing, and you have yourself an excellent book. I was thoroughly entertained.
And at about the halfway point, I couldn’t put the book down. I didn’t have a clue about what was going to happen. All of the sudden there was a piece of dialogue, actually one sentence, that was delivered brilliantly and made me sit up straight as I entered a whole new scene. And there were surprises every few minutes after that. I will say that many reviewers complain about the second half of the book. It does change genres (again, I’m staying mum so as not to spoil anything), but it was brilliant. There was one scene that was totally over the top, which annoyed me, but it wasn’t enough for me to knock off a star.
Here are examples of Moriarty’s funny:
“Great veins,” he said. Nurses often said that about Frances’s veins. She always felt momentarily proud and then kind of depressed, because what a waste of a positive attribute.”
“It was depressing to be treated like a refrigerator.”
“She was a terrible winker; she found it hard to close only one eye and had been told that her attempt looked like an extraordinary facial spasm.”
“’Your skin is gorgeous!’ Frances gesticulated wildly, probably because she was trying not to look at Zoe’s pimple.”
And these sentences will give you an idea of her style:
“He’d thought, full of love and testosterone, that he would protect his woman from bad men and heavy furniture and upsetting food.”
“She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she didn’t record this moment on her phone then it wasn’t really happening.”
“Women and their bodies! The most abusive and toxic of relationships.”
Moriarty is heavy on dialogue (which I love) and doesn’t venture out into the wilderness to describe leaves and pebbles (which also gets my stamp of approval). It was only when someone thinks they see a kangaroo on the road that I realized I was in Australia! Kangaroo? I want to see a kangaroo! Must accept that it’s not going to happen here in the states, so sad. Even the word makes me laugh, it’s so playful, jazzy, and rhythmic.
Yes, there is a small Complaint Board. You know I didn’t like the one over-the-top scene. But there are three more nits:
-A few sentences had faulty grammar. (Where oh where was the editor?) Anyway, they didn’t make me twitch for long.
-The book title is wrong, I tell you! The nine people aren’t all strangers: There is a couple and there’s a family of three. The editor in me just hates that the title isn’t accurate. (I need to get a life, lol.)
-The book is about 450 pages. Writers, please keep it under 400 pages. I might have adult ADD you know.
I loved this novel. One of the reasons I rounded up to 5 stars is because I know I’ll remember the plotline for a long while (memory longevity factors into my rating).
I hope they make the book into a movie; I would love to see this on the screen. Hm…I need to think about what to tell the director about casting, lol, once I make my choices. Maybe they will make it into a movie since Big Little Lies transferred to the scene so well. (btw, I can’t wait to see Season 2, coming up in 2019, with queen Meryl Streep!)
And of course I want to read the Moriarty books I’ve missed. She’s one of my favorite authors. Check this book out!
June 18, 2020
Sometimes dark, sometimes funny, sometimes mysterious – I really enjoyed my first Liane Moriarty book. I have seen where some say this book is not quite as good as her others. If that is the case, I am in for a real treat if I keep reading her books.
From time to time, my wife and I choose an audiobook to listen to together at night after the kids go to bed. I had Nine Perfect Strangers set as the June 2020 read for one of my book clubs and she had read this author before. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to listen to another one together! I will say, I think getting a chance to listen to a book with my wife like we are listening to a radio drama in the 40s or 50s always enhances my experience.
This book is all about the characters and character development. Some may feel that it is thin on plot, but it is the backstory of each character and their relationship development that is the plot. If you really enjoy character studies and watching characters build and change over the course of the book, this would be the perfect book for you to check out.
In my first paragraph I mention that this book is “sometimes” lots of different things. It was interesting to be laughing on one page, near tears the next, and then wondering if things had taken a sinister turn the very next one. Moriarty keeps the reader guessing right along with the characters – who also never seem to know quite what is going on.
This is a title where I have seen a pretty big division in the reviews from my friends on Goodreads; maybe even more low star ratings than high. Now that I have finished, I will be looking closer at some of those reviews to see what led to the lower ratings, but for me, I think it was a very decent book worth checking out!
From time to time, my wife and I choose an audiobook to listen to together at night after the kids go to bed. I had Nine Perfect Strangers set as the June 2020 read for one of my book clubs and she had read this author before. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to listen to another one together! I will say, I think getting a chance to listen to a book with my wife like we are listening to a radio drama in the 40s or 50s always enhances my experience.
This book is all about the characters and character development. Some may feel that it is thin on plot, but it is the backstory of each character and their relationship development that is the plot. If you really enjoy character studies and watching characters build and change over the course of the book, this would be the perfect book for you to check out.
In my first paragraph I mention that this book is “sometimes” lots of different things. It was interesting to be laughing on one page, near tears the next, and then wondering if things had taken a sinister turn the very next one. Moriarty keeps the reader guessing right along with the characters – who also never seem to know quite what is going on.
This is a title where I have seen a pretty big division in the reviews from my friends on Goodreads; maybe even more low star ratings than high. Now that I have finished, I will be looking closer at some of those reviews to see what led to the lower ratings, but for me, I think it was a very decent book worth checking out!
August 30, 2021
A claustrophobic, extra sarcastic, smart, unconventional mystery about 9 people who keep big secrets, find themselves at the weirdest place with extra unconventional and unethical methods to help them solve their problems But they will be eventually forced to confront each skeleton they hid in their closets.
Ms. Moriarty ( it’s impossible to adore an author who shares the same last name with Sherlock’s archenemy) is genius writer creates multi dimensional characters with realistic emotional depth that helps us to connect with each them, tolerate their mistakes and craziness levels.
This book was one of the most sarcastic, interesting works of her. “What Alice Forgot” is my still her favorite novel but this book can take the second place on my list. And now it’s adapted to streaming series on Hulu with perfect ensemble cast. Of course at the adaption the screenwriters made several changes and mostly the story centered around Frances and Masha ( because Kidman and McCarthy are also executive producers) but I liked the ultra snarky and smart tone of dialogues and character development David E. Kelly did. ( he returned back his day when he has written Ally Mc Beal and Boston Legal. This series’ execution seems like even better than Big Little Lies so I highly recommend you to watch it! )
9 strangers gather around an ultra expensive wellness resort suffer from different issues contain grief, marriage, career problems, addiction, loss, anger management, unhealthy living style, weight issues etc.
This remote health resort called Tranquillum House is located in Sydney- Australia, built in 1800s and renovated into a secluded place providing extra pampering, luxury, mindfulness, medication, soul healing etc.
Frances, 52,romance lover, suffers from emotional breakdown; after the rejection of her last novel and worst experience of online fraud which makes her reconsider what she’s believing in love and a painful back pain push her to attend 10 days program at the Tranquillum House.
She meets with eight strangers who deal with different problems: Ben and Jessica; a couple suffers from marriage issues. Napolean- Heather are middle aged couple and their daughter Zoe suffer from loss of their loved one.
Lars suffers from being ultra asshole.
Tony has quiet resemblances with someone famous, deals with drug addiction and Carmel wants to lose weight, learning to tricks of healthy life style!
There are so many rules at this place which make me scream aloud; no snacks, no alcohol, no sweets ( definitely No Nilufer) those are contrabands and they are confiscated immediately!
Will those strangers find what they are looking for in their lives or is something more sinister happening behind the close doors of this place push them escape sooner before it’s too late!
It’s a fast pacing, interesting, well written, character driven novel I fully enjoy and so far I’m gladly recommend the streaming adaptation! Don’t miss out on Hulu!
Ms. Moriarty ( it’s impossible to adore an author who shares the same last name with Sherlock’s archenemy) is genius writer creates multi dimensional characters with realistic emotional depth that helps us to connect with each them, tolerate their mistakes and craziness levels.
This book was one of the most sarcastic, interesting works of her. “What Alice Forgot” is my still her favorite novel but this book can take the second place on my list. And now it’s adapted to streaming series on Hulu with perfect ensemble cast. Of course at the adaption the screenwriters made several changes and mostly the story centered around Frances and Masha ( because Kidman and McCarthy are also executive producers) but I liked the ultra snarky and smart tone of dialogues and character development David E. Kelly did. ( he returned back his day when he has written Ally Mc Beal and Boston Legal. This series’ execution seems like even better than Big Little Lies so I highly recommend you to watch it! )
9 strangers gather around an ultra expensive wellness resort suffer from different issues contain grief, marriage, career problems, addiction, loss, anger management, unhealthy living style, weight issues etc.
This remote health resort called Tranquillum House is located in Sydney- Australia, built in 1800s and renovated into a secluded place providing extra pampering, luxury, mindfulness, medication, soul healing etc.
Frances, 52,romance lover, suffers from emotional breakdown; after the rejection of her last novel and worst experience of online fraud which makes her reconsider what she’s believing in love and a painful back pain push her to attend 10 days program at the Tranquillum House.
She meets with eight strangers who deal with different problems: Ben and Jessica; a couple suffers from marriage issues. Napolean- Heather are middle aged couple and their daughter Zoe suffer from loss of their loved one.
Lars suffers from being ultra asshole.
Tony has quiet resemblances with someone famous, deals with drug addiction and Carmel wants to lose weight, learning to tricks of healthy life style!
There are so many rules at this place which make me scream aloud; no snacks, no alcohol, no sweets ( definitely No Nilufer) those are contrabands and they are confiscated immediately!
Will those strangers find what they are looking for in their lives or is something more sinister happening behind the close doors of this place push them escape sooner before it’s too late!
It’s a fast pacing, interesting, well written, character driven novel I fully enjoy and so far I’m gladly recommend the streaming adaptation! Don’t miss out on Hulu!
December 9, 2021
2021 read: A luxury retreat that promotes itself as being able to transform lives in a ten day stay in which you cannot leave. Nine people with body and/or psychological issues seek transformation. The story told from the perspective of each of them and the three main consultants at the retreat. The setting Australia. The key phrase - 'which you cannot leave'!
This is my first read of the mega bestselling Moriarty's work, and reading this innovative 'locked room' thriller, I can see why she's so successful. The book not only looks at the well-being industry, it tales a nice deep look at self-image vs how we're perceived. There's also a very memorable and unique antagonist. This was a very accessible read, with short chapters and everchanging points of view that kept me engaged throughout. Trigger issues about including suicide, infant mortality, drug abuse, misogyny and more; but don't let that put you off, it's still reads and feels like a mainstream thriller and I can see why it's already an Amazon Prime TV show. One of the best things about this books is that you can't be 100% sure that it is not a dark comedy! 7 out of 12.
This is my first read of the mega bestselling Moriarty's work, and reading this innovative 'locked room' thriller, I can see why she's so successful. The book not only looks at the well-being industry, it tales a nice deep look at self-image vs how we're perceived. There's also a very memorable and unique antagonist. This was a very accessible read, with short chapters and everchanging points of view that kept me engaged throughout. Trigger issues about including suicide, infant mortality, drug abuse, misogyny and more; but don't let that put you off, it's still reads and feels like a mainstream thriller and I can see why it's already an Amazon Prime TV show. One of the best things about this books is that you can't be 100% sure that it is not a dark comedy! 7 out of 12.
May 26, 2020
Sometimes it’s just a matter of the right book at the right time! This audiobook was just what I was looking for and I spent much of the time listening to it on a beach while often laughing to myself.
I really enjoyed Big Little Lies and I wondered how this one would compare. Ms. Moriarty has a way of developing characters that I learned to find a bond with, even though they were all very different. The novel is told from multiple points of view and yet the audiobook flowed seemlessly between the characters.
So from the blurb you know that nine people check into a health resort, named Tranquillum House for a variety of reasons. The book started a bit slowly for me as I wondered how the first few introduced characters would fit into the story.
Soon we arrive at the health resort which is run with almost military precision. Silence for 5 days, all devices, i.e. phones, tablets, etc. must be turned in. Any banned items found in guests rooms will be confiscated (which included wine, chocolate, snacks, etc) We meet the staff of the “resort”, each guest will have specially prepared menus for them which always included a morning smoothie and then lunches and dinners tailored to their needs.
Marsha, the head of Tranquillum an extremely controlling and yet intelligent seeming woman who definitely commands everyone’s attention. She constantly talks to her group of guests, monitoring them often and having individual sessions with them.
There are surprises ahead for the guests and readers and they aren’t all about hiking, healthy eating and yoga. Marsha has two other counselors working for her, Yao and Delila, I will leave you to discover all of their backgrounds as I don’t want to spoil this story for anyone.
In the end the guests are indeed challenged in many ways, some of which they definitely didn’t consent to or want to be a part of. There is some healing, some transformative times for the guests and then bonding together to try to figure out the answer to a most urgent puzzle.
As in Big Little Lies there are important issues behind some of the lighter flow of the book. In this book we touch upon family life, divorce, sibling interaction, infidelity and even suicide. I loved every minute of listening to this audiobook and highly recommend it! Namaste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really enjoyed Big Little Lies and I wondered how this one would compare. Ms. Moriarty has a way of developing characters that I learned to find a bond with, even though they were all very different. The novel is told from multiple points of view and yet the audiobook flowed seemlessly between the characters.
So from the blurb you know that nine people check into a health resort, named Tranquillum House for a variety of reasons. The book started a bit slowly for me as I wondered how the first few introduced characters would fit into the story.
Soon we arrive at the health resort which is run with almost military precision. Silence for 5 days, all devices, i.e. phones, tablets, etc. must be turned in. Any banned items found in guests rooms will be confiscated (which included wine, chocolate, snacks, etc) We meet the staff of the “resort”, each guest will have specially prepared menus for them which always included a morning smoothie and then lunches and dinners tailored to their needs.
Marsha, the head of Tranquillum an extremely controlling and yet intelligent seeming woman who definitely commands everyone’s attention. She constantly talks to her group of guests, monitoring them often and having individual sessions with them.
There are surprises ahead for the guests and readers and they aren’t all about hiking, healthy eating and yoga. Marsha has two other counselors working for her, Yao and Delila, I will leave you to discover all of their backgrounds as I don’t want to spoil this story for anyone.
In the end the guests are indeed challenged in many ways, some of which they definitely didn’t consent to or want to be a part of. There is some healing, some transformative times for the guests and then bonding together to try to figure out the answer to a most urgent puzzle.
As in Big Little Lies there are important issues behind some of the lighter flow of the book. In this book we touch upon family life, divorce, sibling interaction, infidelity and even suicide. I loved every minute of listening to this audiobook and highly recommend it! Namaste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 15, 2021
I had never read this author before, have never seen Big Little Lies, and didn't have an idea what the book was about, but knew lots of people liked it, so checked out the digital version from the library. I don't mind being spoiled when it comes to knowing what happens in movies, games, and books, mostly because I like to avoid animal deaths in the material I'm watching, playing, or reading. I seem to be able to deal with people deaths a little better, for some reason.
Anyway, it was nice going into a book I knew nothing about although there was a point where people deaths, a lot of them, became a real possibility. I won't say if anyone died or not but this book had my heart racing at one point. I really enjoyed reading it and will probably read more by this author.
The nine perfect strangers were very easy for me to remember throughout the book because they were each different and had distinct personalities and backgrounds. Add in the three people that ran the retreat and things could have gotten too much with 12 people to keep track of but I had no problem. I liked all the characters and laughed quite a lot at some of their thoughts and conversations. Fran was a delight to me and the person who made me laugh the most.
So I'm laughing at a lot of things in the book although almost every character had some serious things going on in their lives and very real reasons to be depressed, sad, discouraged and on the verge of giving up. Then things really go lopsided and it was interesting reading how the characters handled the situation. I'm thankful for the sappiness of the book and can see Fran writing the ending and I loved it.
Published November 6th 2018 by Flatiron Books
Anyway, it was nice going into a book I knew nothing about although there was a point where people deaths, a lot of them, became a real possibility. I won't say if anyone died or not but this book had my heart racing at one point. I really enjoyed reading it and will probably read more by this author.
The nine perfect strangers were very easy for me to remember throughout the book because they were each different and had distinct personalities and backgrounds. Add in the three people that ran the retreat and things could have gotten too much with 12 people to keep track of but I had no problem. I liked all the characters and laughed quite a lot at some of their thoughts and conversations. Fran was a delight to me and the person who made me laugh the most.
So I'm laughing at a lot of things in the book although almost every character had some serious things going on in their lives and very real reasons to be depressed, sad, discouraged and on the verge of giving up. Then things really go lopsided and it was interesting reading how the characters handled the situation. I'm thankful for the sappiness of the book and can see Fran writing the ending and I loved it.
Published November 6th 2018 by Flatiron Books
February 18, 2019
Sometimes your life changes so slowly and imperceptibly that you don't notice it at all until one day you wake up and think, 'How did I get here?' But other times, life changes in an instant with a lightning stroke of good or bad luck with glorious or tragic consequences.
This book is weird, because it’s sort of a meta-thriller-character-exploration that has no genre and hates genre convention, and what’s perhaps even weirder is that um… this is Liane Moriarty’s brand now.
I find it really interesting how Liane Moriarty’s brand has become thrillers that aren’t about the horror element, and how aware of that she is. With books like her two last, Big Little Lies and Truly Madly Guilty, she's used the thriller conceit to tell stories about the everyday horror that comes with domesticity and being a woman. I felt like she did this perfectly with Big Little Lies, but that the thriller conceit was ridiculous in Truly Madly Guilty. Here, I think she's truly leaned in to her talents for character development.
The thing is that what she lacks in actual suspense, she makes up for with interesting characters and some cool messages hidden under a simple story.
She remembered her first-ever boyfriend of over thirty years ago, who told her he preferred smaller breasts than hers, while his hands were on her breasts, as if she’d find this interesting, as if women’s body parts were dishes on a menu and men were the goddamned diners.
This is what she said to that first boyfriend: “Sorry.”
This was her first boyfriend’s benevolent reply: “That’s okay.”
Frances is a struggling romance novelist going for a weekend away to try and revamp her life after another bad experience with romance.
Napoleon, Heather, and Zoe are a family who seem far more perfect on the outside than they are on the inside. Zoe was arguably my favorite character in the book; compared to several other characters, she is perhaps the most rational. And while Napoleon and Heather aren’t quite as central, each has a lot of development and emotional conflict: there's this moment where they just hold hands and yet it is so amazing.
The characters don't end there; Ben and Jessica are a struggling young couple having a conflict over their previous lottery win. Carmel is a young mother dealing with body-image issues after her husband has left her for a younger woman. Lars is a divorce lawyer still attempting to retroactively fix his mother’s situation and in just a bit of conflict with his husband Ray; he was one of my favorite characters. Tony is an ex-football player attempting to change his life up again.
Together, they make up the title's nine perfect strangers, all trying to change their lives. And what I enjoyed the most is that all of these characters have their idiosyncrasies, and aren't particularly likable, but all manage to gain your sympathy anyway.
Perhaps the novel’s biggest problem is that the thriller aspect is really nothing but a ridiculous framing device, and doesn’t actually cause that much conflict to be brought to life. This is not fixed by the pacing issues — the beginning of the novel is far too long, and while the payoff for all her setup is fantastic, I thought Moriarty could have streamlined the middle by integrating character development into the plot with far more care. The novel’s tenth and eleventh character, Marsha & Yao, both get good development, but their role in the narrative itself is somewhat overextended at times.
I also struggled with the novel’s perspective on reviewers – a negative reviewer for the main character’s most recent novel is arguably the book’s most personal villain. This aspect is minor and sort of dumb.
That being said, the payoff truly is excellent. The book ends its chosen arcs with about eight different quality character endings, including but not limited to an amicable marital breakup that subverts expectations, a sendup of romance novels & commentary on the thriller genre that ends one couple’s story, a very sweet coming-to-jesus moment for one couple, and an excellent and very feminist ending for one woman.
Overall, while bits and pieces of this didn’t quite gel, the whole was an enjoyable, entertaining read, and I’m glad I picked it up.
release date: 12 November 2018
✨Arc received from Flatiron for an honest review.
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September 17, 2018
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I absolutely devoured Big Little Lies! I love how Liane Moriarty starts a story all sweet with likeable characters, then slowly a foreboding veil comes across the story and people’s dark side begins to emerge changing a good story into a compelling story.
Nine people book into a health resort, Tranquillum House, ready to be transformed into a better, thinner, healthier version of their former self.
A washed up romance novelist, a family broken by tragedy, a has-been football star, a young couple whose marriage is faltering, the wife who has been left for a newer model and the lawyer who has commitment issues. Nine perfect strangers all broken in their own way looking for a make-over, a rejuvenation.
Then there is Maria (Masha) Dmitrichenko, a Russian immigrant. Masha, the director of Tranquillum House, is a transformation zealot – enlightenment for all. These nine guests are to be the first to start her new regime. Their destinies are in her hands. She is going to change these people, not just temporarily, but forever.
I wasn’t sure where this story was going to go. But.....the way it went was never in my wildest dreams what I imagined.
Moriarty’s ability to bring out the small idiosyncrasies in each person is extraordinary. She slowly dissects each character, their thoughts, fears and hopes are revealed through her writing. It was easy to see something of yourself in these everyday people.
Moriarty has written a novel that delves into the human mind and the way we think and connect with each other, showing an intricate observation of human failings and frailties.
The story had my emotions reeling. I could feel empathy for the characters and sadness over their different circumstances. But a sudden shift in the story had my anger rising, which shows how real the characters and the story felt to me. With Moriarty you never know what could possibly happen next.
Nine Perfect Strangers is a roller coaster of a read with beautifully developed characters full of insecurities, false bravado and completely relatable. Once you start reading this book it will be hard to put down!
I absolutely devoured Big Little Lies! I love how Liane Moriarty starts a story all sweet with likeable characters, then slowly a foreboding veil comes across the story and people’s dark side begins to emerge changing a good story into a compelling story.
Nine people book into a health resort, Tranquillum House, ready to be transformed into a better, thinner, healthier version of their former self.
A washed up romance novelist, a family broken by tragedy, a has-been football star, a young couple whose marriage is faltering, the wife who has been left for a newer model and the lawyer who has commitment issues. Nine perfect strangers all broken in their own way looking for a make-over, a rejuvenation.
Then there is Maria (Masha) Dmitrichenko, a Russian immigrant. Masha, the director of Tranquillum House, is a transformation zealot – enlightenment for all. These nine guests are to be the first to start her new regime. Their destinies are in her hands. She is going to change these people, not just temporarily, but forever.
I wasn’t sure where this story was going to go. But.....the way it went was never in my wildest dreams what I imagined.
Moriarty’s ability to bring out the small idiosyncrasies in each person is extraordinary. She slowly dissects each character, their thoughts, fears and hopes are revealed through her writing. It was easy to see something of yourself in these everyday people.
Moriarty has written a novel that delves into the human mind and the way we think and connect with each other, showing an intricate observation of human failings and frailties.
The story had my emotions reeling. I could feel empathy for the characters and sadness over their different circumstances. But a sudden shift in the story had my anger rising, which shows how real the characters and the story felt to me. With Moriarty you never know what could possibly happen next.
Nine Perfect Strangers is a roller coaster of a read with beautifully developed characters full of insecurities, false bravado and completely relatable. Once you start reading this book it will be hard to put down!
February 23, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up
I am not a consistent Liane Moriarty fan. I’ve loved some, others not so much. So, I had no idea which side I’d come down to on Nine Perfect Strangers. I will say initially it took me a while to wrap my head around all the different characters.
I thought the idea of a strict health resort made for an interesting setting. I mean, it made me ponder whether I could handle not just the clean living and digital hiatus, but total silence for 5 days.
Moriarty has a dry sense of humor that helped propel the book forward. And some of the points she made rang absolutely true. There was a nice degree of humor vs. poignancy.
After its slow start (all that background on the characters), it finally took a turn I didn’t see coming. And while it was never a fast paced book it was a quick and easy read. And overall, enjoyable. Don’t look for this to be your next book club choice, but it’d be perfect for a vacation read.
I am not a consistent Liane Moriarty fan. I’ve loved some, others not so much. So, I had no idea which side I’d come down to on Nine Perfect Strangers. I will say initially it took me a while to wrap my head around all the different characters.
I thought the idea of a strict health resort made for an interesting setting. I mean, it made me ponder whether I could handle not just the clean living and digital hiatus, but total silence for 5 days.
Moriarty has a dry sense of humor that helped propel the book forward. And some of the points she made rang absolutely true. There was a nice degree of humor vs. poignancy.
After its slow start (all that background on the characters), it finally took a turn I didn’t see coming. And while it was never a fast paced book it was a quick and easy read. And overall, enjoyable. Don’t look for this to be your next book club choice, but it’d be perfect for a vacation read.
July 18, 2020
This one started out STRONG... (of course... it's Liane Moriarty), but it didn't stay strong, and frankly, it could've been better. It was okay. Definitely not her best.
This one's written in the way so many are these days, where the narrative switches from one character to another with each short chapter. But in this case, there are NINE characters staying at the health resort, with NINE different narratives, plus another 3 or 4 characters who run the resort, who are also weighing in with their thoughts for the reader.
So there's a lot of repetitiveness here, a lot of people talking, and all about the same... exact... events. For me, it felt repetitive, and it really slowed down the pace of the story.
Let's just say it's not one of those books that kept me reading late into the night. After about the fourth or fifth person weighed in with their feelings about the same... exact... event, and their chapter ended, I just thought, "Okay, that's enough for tonight." And I closed the book.
I mean, this is not a short novel - 450 pages to be exact. I read and read, and granted, some weird and interesting things happened, but it all just seemed a bit repetitive, and frankly, VERY unrealistic, which was SO frustrating to me, because the thing I appreciate most about Moriarty's writing is that her stuff is so REAL.
As I was making my way through the last half of the book, I was thinking, "Oh my God. I'm going to have to go on Goodreads and give Liane Moriarty a 3-star rating. Oh my God."
At the very end, in just the last 30 pages, she somewhat pulled it off and wrapped up the story in a way I was not expecting and did enjoy.
HOWEVER, I still feel like the pace in the middle was too slow, and the story was a bit far-fetched, but her delicious, funny, smart, vulnerable, relatable, likeable characters will always keep me coming back for more.
This one's written in the way so many are these days, where the narrative switches from one character to another with each short chapter. But in this case, there are NINE characters staying at the health resort, with NINE different narratives, plus another 3 or 4 characters who run the resort, who are also weighing in with their thoughts for the reader.
So there's a lot of repetitiveness here, a lot of people talking, and all about the same... exact... events. For me, it felt repetitive, and it really slowed down the pace of the story.
Let's just say it's not one of those books that kept me reading late into the night. After about the fourth or fifth person weighed in with their feelings about the same... exact... event, and their chapter ended, I just thought, "Okay, that's enough for tonight." And I closed the book.
I mean, this is not a short novel - 450 pages to be exact. I read and read, and granted, some weird and interesting things happened, but it all just seemed a bit repetitive, and frankly, VERY unrealistic, which was SO frustrating to me, because the thing I appreciate most about Moriarty's writing is that her stuff is so REAL.
As I was making my way through the last half of the book, I was thinking, "Oh my God. I'm going to have to go on Goodreads and give Liane Moriarty a 3-star rating. Oh my God."
At the very end, in just the last 30 pages, she somewhat pulled it off and wrapped up the story in a way I was not expecting and did enjoy.
HOWEVER, I still feel like the pace in the middle was too slow, and the story was a bit far-fetched, but her delicious, funny, smart, vulnerable, relatable, likeable characters will always keep me coming back for more.
December 11, 2018
I have to say I was disappointed in this one as it didn't really work on any level for me. I wish I was better at giving up on books that aren't holding my interest but I find it so difficult when it's an author whose previous books I have really enjoyed.
Nine people arrive at a health spa and each person has their own reason for choosing to stay there. While the spa has plenty of amenities it is also a place that is known to challenge its guests in order for them to get the most out of their visit. Let's just say this isn't going to be a cakewalk for these nine strangers.
So a problem fairly soon into the book was I just was not connecting with any of the characters. It's not that I found them unlikable, it's more I just wasn't all that interested in their lives. Not even the romance writer did anything for me. I was bored for the first half of the book and then finally something peaks my interest but it just goes into ridiculous territory so I couldn't even enjoy it.
I just don't know what else to say about this one. I think I'm in the minority with how much I didn't like it, but it does seem like most people would agree this is not the author's best book. I'm definitely glad this was a library loan and not a purchase.
Nine people arrive at a health spa and each person has their own reason for choosing to stay there. While the spa has plenty of amenities it is also a place that is known to challenge its guests in order for them to get the most out of their visit. Let's just say this isn't going to be a cakewalk for these nine strangers.
So a problem fairly soon into the book was I just was not connecting with any of the characters. It's not that I found them unlikable, it's more I just wasn't all that interested in their lives. Not even the romance writer did anything for me. I was bored for the first half of the book and then finally something peaks my interest but it just goes into ridiculous territory so I couldn't even enjoy it.
I just don't know what else to say about this one. I think I'm in the minority with how much I didn't like it, but it does seem like most people would agree this is not the author's best book. I'm definitely glad this was a library loan and not a purchase.
September 15, 2018
My first Liane Moriarty novel - I was intrigued by this one after the hype surrounding Big Little Lies. This may not be indicative of the quality of her other novels, but I found this to be cliched, predictable and ridiculous.
The story focuses on the nine strangers of the title who sign up for a kind of health cleanse at a spa, situated in a remote part of Australia. We quickly learn that something is amiss, and that these people are part of an experience more bizarre and in some ways sinister than was initially advertised.
If you're looking for a quick and easy (although very far-fetched) read then this might be the book for you. However I found myself rolling my eyes at multiple points throughout this story - the characters are stereotypes who come across as pretty one-note, and the twists were not unexpected or shocking (for me, anyway). I honestly just found it very hard to care about anything that happened throughout the book.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin UK for the advance copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.
The story focuses on the nine strangers of the title who sign up for a kind of health cleanse at a spa, situated in a remote part of Australia. We quickly learn that something is amiss, and that these people are part of an experience more bizarre and in some ways sinister than was initially advertised.
If you're looking for a quick and easy (although very far-fetched) read then this might be the book for you. However I found myself rolling my eyes at multiple points throughout this story - the characters are stereotypes who come across as pretty one-note, and the twists were not unexpected or shocking (for me, anyway). I honestly just found it very hard to care about anything that happened throughout the book.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin UK for the advance copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2018
I have to give this one 5* for pure enjoyment levels. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much at the same time as being made to consider life so much whilst reading a book.
A weirdly wonderful group of utter stranger's all rock up to a 10 day wellness retreat, all looking for different answers, all hoping to come out the other side all brand new. Well be careful what you wish for is all I'll say...
This group dynamic is pure dynamite as we slowly get to know this motley crew and their inner selves and life influences. Throw into the mix a fanatical health nut and all bets are off. Nine Complete Strangers is wildly entertaining, extraordinarily thought provoking and beautifully written. You'll find your favourite (mine was undoubtedly Francis, a woman after my own heart) and get entirely caught up in their attempts to heal, their growing relationship with each other and the rather unexpected challenges they'll all face together.
I won't give too much away but one moment I was snorting tea out of my nose, the next I was shedding a tear - I was all the way in first page to last.
Wonderful storytelling. Highly Recommended.
A weirdly wonderful group of utter stranger's all rock up to a 10 day wellness retreat, all looking for different answers, all hoping to come out the other side all brand new. Well be careful what you wish for is all I'll say...
This group dynamic is pure dynamite as we slowly get to know this motley crew and their inner selves and life influences. Throw into the mix a fanatical health nut and all bets are off. Nine Complete Strangers is wildly entertaining, extraordinarily thought provoking and beautifully written. You'll find your favourite (mine was undoubtedly Francis, a woman after my own heart) and get entirely caught up in their attempts to heal, their growing relationship with each other and the rather unexpected challenges they'll all face together.
I won't give too much away but one moment I was snorting tea out of my nose, the next I was shedding a tear - I was all the way in first page to last.
Wonderful storytelling. Highly Recommended.
January 14, 2019
If you like snarky humor, as I do, then you’ll find much to enjoy here. I appreciate an author who can write subtle satire and I loved the wit of the author and the sly digs into self-important authors, the publishing industry, our obsession with age, appearance and ‘wellness’, and the psycho-babble of some spirituality gurus.
Nine people arrive at the resort, Tranquillion House, for a 10 day stay, looking for R&R and pampering along with transformation. Some are looking for weight loss and a healthier lifestyle while others have serious issues that they need to learn how to cope with in a healthier way. Throughout the course of the novel we delve deeper into their lives and learn their backstories.
Of course, I had my favorite characters, and Frances, the menopausal romance novelist was the one I was immediately drawn to in this story. I love snarky wit and she was hilarious. But it’s not all laughs, as some guests are dealing with serious issues, many of them heartbreaking.
It soon becomes obvious that Masha, the spa owner’s “journey to wellness” is more boot camp than relaxation. The first hint is when their bags are searched and contraband is confiscated – alcohol, candy, snacks, cell phones. What, no google? Frances worries how she will survive not being able to google idle questions that pop into her brain (I confess I would have that same moment of panic).
As the days pass they discover that Masha's methods for transformation are even more radical than they had at first thought. Halfway through, there was a genre-changing twist and things get a little serious. Although I had a suspicion, I was only partially right and the author managed to take me completely by surprise. No spoilers here, but it suddenly became an entirely different story, and the nine must band together for a solution. (I’m being deliberately vague as it’s important to go into this story blind.)
There’s an epilogue, which I ordinarily find to be unnecessary but in this case I appreciated it. There are transformations, although not necessarily the ones the guests expected.
I highly recommend! It’s fun, smart, and well-written. My only complaint is, at 450 pages, it's a bit too long. The film rights have already been bought by Nicole Kidman and I think it will make a terrific movie.
This was a fun buddy read with my friend Marialyce. We thought it was a fine example of women’s fiction with humor and a side of serious, heartfelt issues that often tugged at my heartstrings. Well-done! If taken too seriously this tale may fall short, but if taken as part satire then it's quite amusing.
Nine people arrive at the resort, Tranquillion House, for a 10 day stay, looking for R&R and pampering along with transformation. Some are looking for weight loss and a healthier lifestyle while others have serious issues that they need to learn how to cope with in a healthier way. Throughout the course of the novel we delve deeper into their lives and learn their backstories.
Of course, I had my favorite characters, and Frances, the menopausal romance novelist was the one I was immediately drawn to in this story. I love snarky wit and she was hilarious. But it’s not all laughs, as some guests are dealing with serious issues, many of them heartbreaking.
It soon becomes obvious that Masha, the spa owner’s “journey to wellness” is more boot camp than relaxation. The first hint is when their bags are searched and contraband is confiscated – alcohol, candy, snacks, cell phones. What, no google? Frances worries how she will survive not being able to google idle questions that pop into her brain (I confess I would have that same moment of panic).
As the days pass they discover that Masha's methods for transformation are even more radical than they had at first thought. Halfway through, there was a genre-changing twist and things get a little serious. Although I had a suspicion, I was only partially right and the author managed to take me completely by surprise. No spoilers here, but it suddenly became an entirely different story, and the nine must band together for a solution. (I’m being deliberately vague as it’s important to go into this story blind.)
There’s an epilogue, which I ordinarily find to be unnecessary but in this case I appreciated it. There are transformations, although not necessarily the ones the guests expected.
I highly recommend! It’s fun, smart, and well-written. My only complaint is, at 450 pages, it's a bit too long. The film rights have already been bought by Nicole Kidman and I think it will make a terrific movie.
This was a fun buddy read with my friend Marialyce. We thought it was a fine example of women’s fiction with humor and a side of serious, heartfelt issues that often tugged at my heartstrings. Well-done! If taken too seriously this tale may fall short, but if taken as part satire then it's quite amusing.
October 6, 2020
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read. For the most part, the prose held my attention. I wasn’t ever sure where the story was going other than the evolution of the main character who was trying to reenergize her life by going to a health spa. The book is more a deep-dive into the characters than a memorable story. I would have preferred to have had the conflict set more firmly—or any conflict at all for that matter. The forward motion of the story was limited, overshadowed by all the character studies. I am a big proponent of the character driven story but in this structure, there are too many character points of view and they feel more like individual vignettes. The only likable character was the primary character so every time the story ventured away from her, to some degree, I lost interest in the story. The character studies were well-drawn and compelling.
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