A satirical novel about desperate young New York publicist who tries to save her career by turning the charismatic leader of a grungy wellness retreat into the hot new self-care brand.
Perpetually entertaining and captivatingly funny, The Glow is a deep dive into what makes the wellness industry so fascinating. Jane's struggles with debt, uncertainty, and morality pack her inner musings with wit. Cass, on the other hand, answers all of life's questions with a natural remedy or an Instagrammable inspirational quote. Gaynor's debut is successfully charming and satirical--and utterly delightful. But it also interrogates the question: Is a lifetime subscription to the health-and-wellness lifestyle sustainable, or just a product to sell to women who will do anything to obtain the glowing complexions of their dreams?
...a witty send-up of wellness culture and the perils of transforming people into brands ... Though the narrative idles a bit too much in exposition and backstory mode, there’s an amusing story in here about the pitfalls of idol worship. With pithy and poignant observations about the costs of treating people like products, Gaynor makes this shine.
The first third of the book is a hokey slog, filled with every wellness cliché imaginable. However, once Jane starts working for FortPath full time, there is a definite shift, and Gaynor is able to balance humor with a decent amount of heart. A somewhat successful look at the people who participate in and profit from the wellness industry.
