Wormhole (Hannah McElhinney, Affirm)

How far should you go in search of answers when mainstream medicine can’t help? Wormhole is author Hannah McElhinney’s attempt to answer that question through a blend of memoir, cultural commentary and investigative journalism. Combining a deep dive into the wellness industry with a critique of how modern medicine can fail women, the book offers a timely examination of an online ecosystem often shaped by misinformation and dubious claims. At the centre of the narrative is the death of McElhinney’s cousin, Lauren, who died in 2022 following an ozone therapy session in Malaysia after years of chronic illness and alternative treatments. Drawing on her own experiences of what she describes as a “mind-body storm” in her 20s, McElhinney traces how easily vulnerable people can be drawn into the “wormhole” of unorthodox therapies. Her investigation uncovers a world in which dodgy doctors and questionable methods are amplified by scepticism and right-wing online communities that can veer from deluded to dangerous. Importantly, McElhinney does not position mainstream medicine as blameless or perfect. She highlights systemic gender bias and a long history of dismissing women’s pain, pointing to a healthcare system that can leave many feeling unheard and unsupported. Written in an accessible and engaging style, Wormhole balances personal grief with broader social critique, offering an informative and heartfelt exploration of the wellness industry and a moving tribute to a young woman who was desperate to get healthy.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Anthony Morris is a freelance reviewer, novelist and podcaster. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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