'Nine Perfect Strangers' - has suprising depth
As far as books I’ve been assigned for class go, Liane Moriarty’s “Nine Perfect Strangers” is pretty good.
I quickly realized upon assignment that this is the same author who wrote “Big Little Lies,” a book I have never read, but a TV series I loved dearly. It comes as no shock, then, that I had high expectations for this novel.
“Nine Perfect Strangers” follows a group of nine people as they spend 10 days finding rest and relaxation at a wellness center that is run with very, very strange regulations. It is an ensemble cast of colorful characters, much like “Big Little Lies,” and it proves to me Moriarty excels at characterization above anything else.
There were moments where I felt the circumstances were a bit too contrived, but I found all of the characters enjoyable in different ways. I also thought their psyches, which were unexpectedly explored in great detail, were quite interesting, even if it often felt like Moriarty wrote her youthful characters from the obvious perception of a middle-aged woman.
I find it more difficult to defend the actual plot. Though Moriarty writes with obvious intention and skill, there were some aspects of the plot that were outlandish, to say the least.
Moriarty obviously felt the creative pull to experiment with her writing in “Nine Perfect Strangers,” which is admirable and enjoyable to read, but it also leaves the reader with a sense of whiplash. There were some great moments later on in the narrative, though, that were delightful because of the experimentation, such as characters breaking the fourth wall and commenting on their statuses and roles in the story. It was quite charming and well done.
Ultimately, I feel as though “Nine Perfect Strangers” suffers mainly from the same critiques the books in the story receive. To most, it is a pleasing book that ends perfectly; to the minority, it is boring, run-of-the-mill writing for a specific demographic.
I enjoyed it, but I would not say that it is exactly high literature; it does not need to be! It is a fun read with a surprising amount of depth considering the content, even if everything is wrapped prettily in a bow by the end. I found the ending unsatisfying, but the journey was worth it for the pure drama and intrigue that Moriarty expertly crafted.
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