Wreck: A Journey Through Chaos and Caregiving
I can’t express how excited I was to receive two copies of "Wreck," the latest offering from the brilliant Mattelar Joyner, selected as Good Morning America’s Book Club pick for November 2025! Winning those copies felt like a delightful twist of fate, especially since it would go to my Little Free Library Shed. Having previously immersed myself in Joyner’s debut adult novel, "We All Want Impossible Things," I anticipated this read with bated breath. But then I discovered that "Wreck" is the second in a series—the first being "Sandwich." Cue my rush to read "Sandwich" first. Trust me, it’s a journey worth embarking on!
"Wreck" picks up with Rocky, our protagonist, a caregiver overwhelmed by the chaos of her family life. Woven into her narrative is a profound examination of health, anxiety, and the fine line between caring for others and losing oneself. As Rocky grapples with mysterious health issues, her journey evoked an uncanny sense of déjà vu for me, mirroring my own health challenges last year. The line, “we brought your imaging to our monthly special cases meeting,” hit me hard. While I’d prefer to never be the topic of a medical board meeting, reading about Rocky’s experiences brought back memories that were both comforting and unsettling.
One of the standout themes in "Wreck" is the tension that arises when a family’s health is in question. Joyner captures this beautifully—the way families oscillate between humor and despair, and the various coping mechanisms they employ. As Rocky faces the whirlpool of tests and specialists, she becomes her own wreck, oscillating between self-diagnosis and the reality of her situation—how many of us have fallen into that internet rabbit hole when symptoms arise? This blend of relatable human experience kept me engaged, even amid the novel’s troubleshooting of character arcs and familial dialogues.
Joyner’s writing style shines with warmth and a chaotic energy that feels both realistic and relatable. The pacing is brisk, making the 210-page journey a quick yet impactful read. Some dialogues might irritate, depending on your stance towards family drama, but I found the banter resonant and often amusing. As Joyner mentioned in a Vogue interview, “WRECK is about Rocky’s kind of compulsion to take care of everybody.” This aspect hit home, especially as I reflected on my own reactions during my health journey—wanting to care for others while also grappling with my own struggles.
In conclusion, "Wreck" is an engaging blend of family dynamics and personal growth, exploring the complexities of caregiving with authenticity. If you resonate with stories about ordinary chaos, messy family drama, and the intricate dance of caring for others, then this book is for you. For me, reading "Wreck" was not just an escape into fiction but rather a reflective journey through my personal experiences, allowing me to find comfort and recognition in Rocky’s turbulent world. With a solid 3.5 stars, I can’t wait to see how this resonates with my Little Free Library community!
✨ If you’re intrigued, check out my reviews of Joyner’s earlier works: “We All Want Impossible Things” and “Sandwich”.