I absolutely adore Liane Moriarty. I first encountered her with What Alice Forgot. That one is still my favorite. It feels a little disloyal to Liane to write about this one first before I have taken the time to tell about all the other ones, but alas, here we are. There’s a character…I’m getting ahead of myself…
Nine Perfect Strangers started out slow for me. In fact, there was a point where I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it at all. I was wrong.
Liane’s approach to this story is slightly different than she has taken in the past. Her character development is super segmented in the beginning and finding the point to the story (and thus my interest in it) was difficult at first.
But then she does what she does best – just enough twist to rock your socks and just enough formula to be comfortable.
Some may see formula writing as a negative. I do not at all. I read for a number of different reasons, one of which is to be delighted. I am most often delighted when I encounter engaging characters in a familiar way with an interesting turn. Liane is one of my favorite go to writers when this is the read I am looking for.
Nine people from different points of life converge together for a 10 day wellness retreat hosted by former corporate diva Masha, and her direct help, Yao and Delilah. Liane does an excellent job of mixing up each characters’ real motivation and personality with subtle hints to the actual and swerves to catch you off guard later.
I suppose Frances should be my favorite character. She is a successful romance writer with a charmingly quirky personality. She reminds me a lot of me in a silly and shallow way and I enjoyed meeting her very much.
But she isn’t. The AT favorite character award goes to Tony. I adored him from the moment he is introduced, through his smiley face butt tattoos, all the way to the last page.
As is with most of her works, it’s hard to explain anything else about the book without ruining the adventure. She will deliver on the obvious and surprise you with left field.
As a complete side note to the review itself, a passage in Nine Perfect Strangers reminded me why it is imperative for writers to read and read often. It is no secret that I have had quite the time lately putting nouns and verbs together. It has been a painful process to get in the chair and write, much less find the ability to stay there. You can read more about that passage here.
In fairness, this is probably not intended to be the most profound message in the story. In fact, you’ll see so many other important ideas in the book, I am sure. However, on this particular day, in this particular reading, it was, hands down for me. There was no other close second. For that, I am immensely grateful and, flaws and all, give it five big gold stars.