The Gospel of Wellness

by Rina Raphael
The Gospel of Wellness cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Investigative Journalism
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Paperback • £16.99
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  • ID: 3152
  • Added: 2025-10-17
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9781782838609
  • Publisher: Souvenir Press
  • Published: 2022-09-22
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Gospel of Wellness delves into the $4.4 trillion wellness industry, revealing how it has evolved from a modest movement into a cultural phenomenon. Author Rina Raphael, a wellness industry journalist, explores the gender inequalities and structural sexism within medicine and society that have fueled this obsession. The book balances the good with the bad, offering a clear-eyed exploration of what wellness can truly offer and how we might shape a better future for the movement. Through vivid storytelling and deep reporting, Raphael exposes the exploitative offerings and questionable ideas that have taken hold, while also highlighting the mounting pressure to maintain an illusion of control. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the wellness industry and its impact on our well-being.

Reviews
The Guardian · 2023-01-25
critical 2.50

The reviewer finds the author's attempt to explain bizarre behaviors through a grand theory unconvincing. They critique the book's approach to the wellness industry.

The reviewer expresses skepticism about the author's grand theory to explain some of the bizarre behaviors discussed in the book. They find the author's perspective as a reformed wellness addict not entirely convincing. The critique focuses on the book's exploration of the wellness industry, suggesting that while it raises important questions, the execution falls short of providing a compelling narrative. The reviewer also notes that the book's insights into the industry's flaws are valuable but feel somewhat scattered.

Quick quotes

    A reformed wellness addict isn't entirely convincing as she constructs a grand theory to explain some bizarre behaviour.

    The book raises important questions about the wellness industry but falls short of providing a compelling narrative.

    The insights into the industry's flaws are valuable but feel somewhat scattered.

Independent.ie · 2023-01-13
informative 4.00

The book explores why wellness has become so mainstream and profitable, offering a critical look at the industry's practices.

This review delves into the book's exploration of the wellness industry's rise to mainstream popularity and profitability. The reviewer appreciates the book's critical examination of the industry's practices, highlighting how it has capitalized on people's desires for self-care and improvement. The book is seen as a timely and necessary critique, offering valuable insights into the complexities of the wellness culture and its impact on society.

Quick quotes

    In The Gospel of Wellness, journalist Rina Raphael explores why 'wellness' has become so mainstream and so profitable.

    The book offers a critical look at the industry's practices, highlighting how it has capitalized on people's desires for self-care and improvement.

    This is a timely and necessary critique, offering valuable insights into the complexities of the wellness culture and its impact on society.

Goodreads · 2022-09-20
insightful 4.00

The book is praised for its clear-eyed exploration of the wellness industry, debunking false idols and commandments that have taken hold.

This review highlights the book's thorough investigation into the wellness industry, commending its ability to debunk many of the false promises and idols that have become prevalent. The reviewer appreciates the book's clear-eyed approach, which provides a much-needed critique of an industry that often preys on people's desires for self-improvement. The book is seen as a valuable resource for those looking to understand the complexities and pitfalls of the wellness culture.

Quick quotes

    The Gospel of Wellness is a clear-eyed exploration of what wellness can actually offer us, knocking down the false idols and commandments that have taken hold.

    This investigative piece takes a critical look at the $4.2 trillion wellness industry and sets out to debunk some of its most pervasive myths.

    The book provides a much-needed critique of an industry that often preys on people's desires for self-improvement.

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