All's Well

Since reading this book last year, I have not been able to stop thinking about it. This review may contain spoilers:

All's Well explores the world of theatre and chronic pain, and follows Miranda Fitch, a former actress who, after taking a very painful fall while performing on stage, now has a job as a college theatre director. She suffers from chronic pain which has left her physically and emotionally drained. Her life is consumed by pain, and she fears that she will never be able to return to her career as an actress.

The novel explores the cutthroat nature of Miranda's profession as a college theatre director, where reputation and success are based on performance and attendance. Throughout the book, it is clear that Miranda's illness has impacted every part of her life, including the impact it has taken on her career. The book takes a deep look at that impact by letting us in on her personal struggles, including her abuse of pain killers, her messy relationship with her only friend, her past relationship with her ex-husband, as well as her tumultuous and negative feelings she has towards her students and coworkers, who are beginning to suspect that Miranda is just putting on a show.

One aspect that I really enjoyed in this book was the speculative aspect and how the author uses a magical element to portray the pain that Miranda is experiencing. These magical elements find their way throughout the book, and help convey a sense of dislocation and disconnect and show up as a result of her chronic pain. The author's use of language is also particularly striking, with such vivid and detailed description of the physical pain that the character is experiencing, it creates a sensory experience.

Overall, this is a powerful exploration of the intersection between pain and creativity and how the two can connect to each other in such painful ways. It is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that offers a unique perspective that will resonate with anyone who has experienced similar challenges. It is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. 5 stars for me.