Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 4/30/2022 + 1195 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

I have been a fan of T.C. Boyle for many years and have read several of his novels and short story collections. For the most part, I have enjoyed them all and really feel that Boyle is a masterful writer and storyteller. Many of his novels are based on actual persons and events including THE INNER CIRCLE about Kinsey and his sex research, THE WOMEN about Frank Lloyd Wright and his wives, and WATER MUSIC about the African explorer Mungo Park. In THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE, Boyle satirizes the inventor of the corn flake, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, and his celebrated spa in Battle Creek, Michigan, that was supposed to cure all ills. Kellogg used a variety of treatments (mostly quackery) at his spa including enforcing a strict vegetarian diet, a five-enema-a-day regimen, and treatments such as the sinusoidal electric bath. In the novel, Will and Eleanor Lightbody of Peterskill, New York, come into the sanatorium as patients. Eleanor is a zealot about the San's treatments but Will is made miserable with his diet including weeks of nothing but milk or grapes, the daily enemas, and the shocking bath treatments. In a parallel storyline, Charlie Ossining, comes to town to start his own breakfast-food company with his partner Bender. Then there is Kellogg's adopted wayward son George who has been out to get even with Kellogg for years. This all leads to a wacky storyline that is full of unexpected drama and over-the-top funny situations.

As usual, I enjoyed this Boyle look at a part of history that I wasn't at all familiar with. I'm sure he took a lot of liberties in telling this one but this made it all the more engaging to read. The copy of the book that I read was a tie-in to the movie version made in 1994 that starred Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Kellogg. I will be looking out for it. And I will be looking forward to reading more by Boyle.

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