The Road to Wellville by T.C. Boyle
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Book Reviews of The Road to Wellville
Book Review: "Charlie Ossining was late."
Summary: 4 Stars
We always understand books or films in the context of our lives. For me, that quote -- describing Charlie Ossining's first moments in Battle Creek, as he realizes that he's at the tail-end and not the forefront of the breakfast-cereal boom -- sum up my experience of the book.As an underling and long-time observer of The New Economy, I literally woke inspired one day to seek out this book. Though published in 1993, prior to the 'internet boom', it could as easily be a pointed parody of gullible dot-com fetishism and market-cap charlatanism as of gullible '80s materialism (or gullible '70s self-obsession or gullible '60s self-centeredness or... well, you get the idea). And the sense of deja-vu-all-over-again is only intensified by having once personally lived through Charlie's experience as the unwitting accomplice in a Big Con.
It's worth mentioning Boyle's apparent affection for even his most questionable characters. Even the 'little doctor', JH Kellog himself, is drawn as a man with the best and most genuine of motives, albeit a sad lack of self-examination. Scathingly satirical, funny, occasionally (but only so) gross and nasty, it's nevertheless never mean-spirited -- and that's why it works.
Book Review: Hated the movie? The book more than makes up for it!!
Summary: 4 Stars
I first picked up this book because I was living in Santa Barbara and Boyle was featured in one of the local newspapers as a local artist. I wasn't sure what to expect since I never heard of him before but did know the movie that was based on this book was supposed to horrible. But I read it anyway and was very glad I did..The story about a fanatical health/cereal magnate and his crackpot followers was great. The characters were built up perfectly and the descriptions of the settings were vivid enough to make you imagine you were a witness to all the doings of Kellogg and the Lightbodys. It's rare that I read a book and wonder about what happens to the characters after the book ends but I did here. I then made the mistake of watching the movie. It was interesting to see the book come to life but that's as far as the entertainment went. Like most really good books, this one has too many subtleties of plot and humor to easily be translated into a movie. So, if you have a few days to spare, do yourself a favor and pick up The Road to Wellville. It'll pick up your spirits even better than a yogurt enema could ever hope to...Book Review: The American Dream
Summary: 4 Stars
The main plot of the Road to Wellville focuses on physiologic living - perfect physical health. But there's more to the book than that. Charlie Ossining is in search of the American Dream of business success. Mr. Lightbody is in search of the perfect love, whether with his wife or his nurse. George Kellogg is obsessed with revenge. Dr. Kellogg is trying to preserve his reputation and fame. These are all things many of us seek today. When Boyle pokes gentle, and not-so-gentle, fun at his characters, he is poking fun at us. The novel is well-paced, moving fairly smoothly from one set of characters to another. There are lots of people with varying degrees of importance to the story, and sometimes it is hard to keep track of every plot twist. Overall, however, most readers should be able to find at least one person to take an interest in.Book Review: To Health!
Summary: 4 Stars
In the Road to Wellville, Boyle has written a story that is more than interesting. The characters are all searching for the key to good health; a fountain of health if you will. This is something to which so many of us can relate, and for those who can't, you'll be able to once you've read this book. The writing is good, and the story is so bizarrely real that you'll actually want to (god forbid!) go to a library and research the history of cereal. This book is an excellent read and I recommend it to anyone.Even if it doesn't have the key to physical health, I promise this book will improve your mental health! Exercise your mind and pick this one up!
Book Review: Look Out Behind You!
Summary: 4 Stars
This novel is funny and unique. I think TC Boyle is a fantastic author, he has brought me so much enjoyment over the years. The Road to Wellville took me on an extremely entertaining adventure to a time and place I would never have dreamed of. Suspense builds throughout the book and the ending offers resolution and some surprises.