Have you been on a health retreat? I, unsurprisingly, have not. I get the allure, but I am too cynical, too judgmental and definitely too ADD. Nine Perfect Strangers is about a health retreat gone completely off the rails. Yet, this nightmare scenario oddly made me intrigued to attend one. (What does that say about me?)

Don’t get me wrong, five days of silence before an introduction to the eight other attendees would drive me insane. With no chance to leave a first impression, I think all of my insecurities would erupt. I would imagine each person judging me, forming a backstory, creating a persona. On the flip side, creating stories for other attendees sounds kind of fun, if not hypocritical!

However, there was something appealing about witnessing the morally (and legally) questionable tactics Masha implements to “enlighten” her subjects. I really enjoyed the hodgepodge of characters all looking for personal relief – from work, from a loved one, from guilt, from life.

Then again maybe all of this can be attributed to Moriarty’s writing style. Even as one of my favorite authors, she is not immune to my criticism (I’m sorry, but I will never forgive Truly Madly Guilty). However, one cannot deny that she has a distinctive flow to her stories with a foreboding voice that keeps the reader engaged from page to page as you become a fly on the wall to the drama.

Jen’s take:

I loved the premise of this book as well as the colorful cast of characters. A fully restored mansion located in a remote setting on the water plus a cast of nine perfectly imperfect attendees had me hooked from the start.

You have the past-her-prime author, a former footballer, the broken family, the broken couple, the burnt out divorced mom of four and the gorgeous gay man – do you need more?

I particularly enjoyed the character development and the development of their relationships throughout the story. In some ways, this book was about not much at all, yet I (similar to Pasquale) love Moriarty’s writing style and her ability to keep a reader completely engaged with her prose. It had elements of suspense, mystery, love and friendship.

Verdict: Read it (3/5 Stars)
Length: 458 pages
When: You just must read anything Liane Moriarty
Quote: She looked at her nine guests, all of whom now had their eyes obediently closed as they awaited her instructions. Their destinies were in her hands. She was going to change them not just temporarily, but forever.
Also Try: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Buy Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty