The Road to Wellville

In spite of the fact that it ended rather chaotically and abruptly, I very much like TC Boyle's The Road to Wellville.

This is a somewhat satirical but very poignant historical novel about John Kellog's health spa in Battle Creek Michigan at the turn of the century. The story depicts archaic and bizarre health related treatments, such as electrode baths, and inhalation of radium. Not to mention daily enemas and milk-only diets. It mocks the intense self-righteousness of these zealous health freaks, while subtly commenting on current fads.

In addition to this historical "expose" there are several story lines, one involving the strained marriage of a couple who stay at the spa for about a year; another involving a newbie con man; and another involving the tension between Kellog and one of his maladapted adoptive sons. The interiority of the characters was brilliant, and Boyle's writing is superb. I can't wait to read something else by him.