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64 pages 2 hours read

Goodbye, Vitamin

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Book Brief

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Rachel Khong

Goodbye, Vitamin

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • 2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong, Ruth Young returns home after a broken engagement and discovers her father, Howard, has Alzheimer's disease. She decides to stay for a year to support him and her mother, Annie. Ruth documents her experiences in diary entries, reflecting on family dynamics, her father's past affair, and her evolving adult life.

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Emotional

Humorous

Reviews & Readership

3.9

29,970 ratings

63%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong is a poignant and humorous novel that deftly explores themes of memory, family, and personal growth. Critics praise its heartfelt narrative and relatable protagonist. However, some find the fragmented structure and diary format disjointed. Overall, it's a touching read marked by Khong's wit and emotional insight.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Goodbye, Vitamin?

A reader who enjoys heartfelt, witty, and poignant stories about family dynamics, memory, and personal growth will appreciate Rachel Khong's Goodbye, Vitamin. Fans of J. Courtney Sullivan's Maine and Jonathan Tropper's This Is Where I Leave You will find a similar blend of humor and emotional depth.

3.9

29,970 ratings

63%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Ruth Young

The protagonist who returns home after a failed engagement to reassess her life and reconnect with her family. Her journey is focused on understanding her past decisions and redefining her future.

Ruth's father, a former college professor dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. He is depicted as a loving but imperfect father grappling with both his flaws and his illness.

Ruth’s mother, known for her generous and forgiving nature. She navigates the challenges of her husband’s infidelity and illness while maintaining her family’s cohesion.

Ruth’s younger brother, who has a protective loyalty toward their mother. He offers a different perspective on their family dynamics due to his experiences living at home during their father’s indiscretions.

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • 2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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