Goodbye, Vitamin

by Rachel Khong
Goodbye, Vitamin cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Contemporary Fiction
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  • ID: 11158
  • Added: 2026-02-21
  • Updated: 2026-02-21
  • ISBN: 9781471147258
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2017-06-01
  • Reviews: 3

Ruth, a 30-year-old woman, finds her life unraveling as she moves house, her career stalls, and her fiancé leaves her for another woman. Just as she's trying to piece her life back together, she learns that her father, a beloved history professor, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her mother begs her to stay for a year to help care for him, and Ruth agrees, setting the stage for a poignant and often funny exploration of family, love, and loss./n/nAs Ruth and her friends attempt to salvage her father's career and her mother obsesses over the health benefits of various supplements, they all struggle to forge a new relationship with the man her father has become. The novel beautifully captures the small, human details of their lives, creating a deeply moving and ultimately poignant story.

Reviews
Literary Elephant · 2018-04-11
heartwarming 4.00

The book is a poignant exploration of memory and family dynamics, blending humor and sadness in a unique way. The protagonist's journey is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

This novel is a beautiful and heartwarming story that delves into the complexities of family relationships and the impact of dementia. The author's use of humor and wit makes the heavy subject matter more palatable, creating a balanced and engaging narrative. The protagonist's experiences are relatable and evoke a range of emotions, making it a compelling read. The book's unique structure and storytelling style add depth to the characters and their interactions, providing a rich and satisfying reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Ruth learns about foods that help fight dementia, she compares what she remembers of the past to what her younger brother remembers.

    The book is a poignant exploration of memory and family dynamics.

    The author's use of humor and wit makes the heavy subject matter more palatable.

The New York Times · 2017-07-28
brilliant 4.50

The book is a quietly brilliant disquisition on family, relationships, and adulthood. The diary format adds a personal touch to the narrative.

Told in a diary format over the year that Ruth spends at home, “Goodbye, Vitamin” is a deeply personal and insightful exploration of family dynamics, relationships, and the challenges of adulthood. The author's use of a diary format adds a unique and intimate perspective to the story, making the characters and their experiences feel more real and relatable. The book's quiet brilliance lies in its ability to capture the complexities of family life and the emotional challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. The narrative is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, offering a rich and satisfying reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Told in a diary format over the year that Ruth spends at home, 'Goodbye, Vitamin' is a quietly brilliant disquisition on family, relationships and adulthood.

    The author's use of a diary format adds a unique and intimate perspective to the story.

    The book's quiet brilliance lies in its ability to capture the complexities of family life.

NPR · 2017-07-12
touching 4.00

The novel is a heartwarming account of family devotion and dementia, with a unique and offbeat sensibility. The story is both sweet and unflinchingly honest.

Rachel Khong's first novel is a touching and heartwarming story that explores the themes of family, love, and the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. The author's offbeat sensibility and humor add a unique flavor to the narrative, making it both engaging and relatable. The book's honest portrayal of the struggles and joys of family life makes it a compelling read. The characters are well-developed and their interactions are portrayed with sensitivity and depth, making the story both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Rachel Khong's first novel is a heartwarming account of family devotion and dementia.

    Her offbeat sensibility and humor add a unique flavor to the narrative.

    The book's honest portrayal of the struggles and joys of family life makes it a compelling read.

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