One of my favorite aspects of Lindsay Hunter’s writing is how she engages with the body, carnal impulses, insatiable hunger. Let’s talk about the role of fatness/fatphobia in the novel. Early on (pgs 32-34) we get see the story from Nick’s perspective, and how he resents the changes in his wife and her body. Immediately afterward, Jackie talks about how Theresa suggested they do a weight loss program together. How did these scenes make you feel? If you’ve always been thin, what did you think of the comments Nick made to his wife? Jackie ends up developing an eating disorder and losing way more weight than Theresa. What changes did you see in Jackie as she got thinner and thinner? Do you think her innate character changed? What do you think this tells us about the impact of getting, what society would call, a better body? And in the context of the novel, is a better body worth being a worse person?
We will be in conversation with Lindsay on Wednesday and you can register HERE. What questions do you have for her?
It’s notable that the happiest scenes in the book are the times when Jackie and Theresa would stop for food on the way home from the weight loss class. These seemed to be the truest moments of their friendship - they had done something vulnerable together and then would reward themselves with a little treat. They felt free!
The fact that Jackie went to such an extreme with her weight loss seemed like a symptom of how deeply unhappy she was. Had she or Nick flagged that their relationship was failing/flailing, and used that time to do couples therapy, or just to talk and hear each others needs, the tragedy with Theresa might not have happened. Instead they let each other slip further and further away. We see them noticing that they are drifting apart and losing touch with one another but they simply don’t know how to stop and do something about it.
As Jackie’s weight loss continues, she grows hungrier, and that hunger becomes insatiable. Everything that unfolded happened because she was trying to feed the void within her with something other than food. As her new, thinner body emerged, her vanity increased, and so did the male attention she received. That became addictive and in turn gave her a deeper sexual appetite that was imposible to satiate. All through the book she is just trying to be seen. I wish someone in her life (Theresa, or one of her sons) had sat her down and encouraged her to eat a hearty meal. A person can’t deny themselves sustenance indefinitely without psychological consequences.
I think the observation that lingers with me from this book is how deeply unfulfilled Jackie was in the “devoted mother” role. It encapsulated the deep fear I have of motherhood and reminded me of how unhappy my own mother seemed when my sister and I were growing up in the 80s and 90s. Ultimately Hot Springs Drive made me realize how damaging and toxic unexamined sadness can be, and how it can reveal itself in unexpected ways. That sadness and then the subsequent weight loss corrupted Jackie’s whole life, and her family’s too in the end. I’m looking forward to hearing the author talk about these elements, as they resonated with me in unexpected ways that still haunt me weeks after I finished the last pages of the book.
Some questions for Lindsay: Did she consider alternate endings, or did she always envisage the story coming to a close in this way?
Also, in what ways are Theresa and Jackie different? Jackie envies Theresa’s “perfect life” but on paper their lives are very similar. Is Theresa happier than Jackie, or just more honest about her desires?
To me, it seemed like what Jackie envied about Theresa's life was that Theresa had more opportunities to be herself in her life. So it was interesting to me that as a reader we didn't really get to know much about Theresa. I wonder if Jackie really knew Theresa or mostly knew her as what she projected onto her ("perfect life").
I loved ready about how Jackie became more and more attractive to men as she got thinner and thinner and this made her more confident which she was clearly willing to trade in for her health. The way that society rewards the thin (which exclude many especially Black women) is fascinating. It reminded me of a Summer in 2007 when I was really ill but did not know it and went down to a UK 14 (US 10). Men started to hold doors and pull out chairs and really look at me it was the weirdest thing (like the time I went Blonde). That kind of adoration and special attention is quite intoxicating. It would be hard for Jackie to give up that power. I would rather be a better, healthier person. I lost the attention when was healed and went back to a natural UK 18 (US 16). It was like poof I was invisible again. It was interesting to see Jackie seduced by that power and want it so bad that she would literally watch people eat rather than eat herself.
I also thought it was interesting that the children in the novel perceive Jackie’s weight loss as making her look gaunt/ill/unhealthy, but the men all find her to be beautiful and magnetic.
The problem with the power conveyed by thinness, in my opinion, is that it's bestowed rather than earned or taken. It comes from without rather than within. That makes it hollow and gives Jackie an insatiability for more power rather than any kind of satisfaction. Really well done in the book.
You're so right about how getting thin, or becoming what is traditionally thought of as attractive, as giving "power." But it's such a weird, fickle, and easily lost power. As a younger woman it was a power I also felt made me vulnerable, because at times I felt like male attention was dangerous in some of the ways that it was expressed.
My real name is Nancy Binford. I’m not afraid to tell this group my name, but I was advised to have a separate moniker for my other Substack commentary!
I loved the book. Loved the imagery and characters. Loved the chapters from each character’s point of view. Loved the riveting story.
My question for Lindsay is, how did you decide to craft the narrative to end with the neurodivergent character as the murderer instead of one of the cheaters? There must be a symbolic reason for the choice.
I look forward to the discussion tomorrow. We’ll be in Austin listening!
I am missing the audio option on your Substack. Which is very sad because I can’t read as a result of surgery I am still recovering from, and I only subscribe to Substack that I can listen to. Will that option be returning?
It’s notable that the happiest scenes in the book are the times when Jackie and Theresa would stop for food on the way home from the weight loss class. These seemed to be the truest moments of their friendship - they had done something vulnerable together and then would reward themselves with a little treat. They felt free!
The fact that Jackie went to such an extreme with her weight loss seemed like a symptom of how deeply unhappy she was. Had she or Nick flagged that their relationship was failing/flailing, and used that time to do couples therapy, or just to talk and hear each others needs, the tragedy with Theresa might not have happened. Instead they let each other slip further and further away. We see them noticing that they are drifting apart and losing touch with one another but they simply don’t know how to stop and do something about it.
As Jackie’s weight loss continues, she grows hungrier, and that hunger becomes insatiable. Everything that unfolded happened because she was trying to feed the void within her with something other than food. As her new, thinner body emerged, her vanity increased, and so did the male attention she received. That became addictive and in turn gave her a deeper sexual appetite that was imposible to satiate. All through the book she is just trying to be seen. I wish someone in her life (Theresa, or one of her sons) had sat her down and encouraged her to eat a hearty meal. A person can’t deny themselves sustenance indefinitely without psychological consequences.
I think the observation that lingers with me from this book is how deeply unfulfilled Jackie was in the “devoted mother” role. It encapsulated the deep fear I have of motherhood and reminded me of how unhappy my own mother seemed when my sister and I were growing up in the 80s and 90s. Ultimately Hot Springs Drive made me realize how damaging and toxic unexamined sadness can be, and how it can reveal itself in unexpected ways. That sadness and then the subsequent weight loss corrupted Jackie’s whole life, and her family’s too in the end. I’m looking forward to hearing the author talk about these elements, as they resonated with me in unexpected ways that still haunt me weeks after I finished the last pages of the book.
Some questions for Lindsay: Did she consider alternate endings, or did she always envisage the story coming to a close in this way?
Also, in what ways are Theresa and Jackie different? Jackie envies Theresa’s “perfect life” but on paper their lives are very similar. Is Theresa happier than Jackie, or just more honest about her desires?
To me, it seemed like what Jackie envied about Theresa's life was that Theresa had more opportunities to be herself in her life. So it was interesting to me that as a reader we didn't really get to know much about Theresa. I wonder if Jackie really knew Theresa or mostly knew her as what she projected onto her ("perfect life").
I loved ready about how Jackie became more and more attractive to men as she got thinner and thinner and this made her more confident which she was clearly willing to trade in for her health. The way that society rewards the thin (which exclude many especially Black women) is fascinating. It reminded me of a Summer in 2007 when I was really ill but did not know it and went down to a UK 14 (US 10). Men started to hold doors and pull out chairs and really look at me it was the weirdest thing (like the time I went Blonde). That kind of adoration and special attention is quite intoxicating. It would be hard for Jackie to give up that power. I would rather be a better, healthier person. I lost the attention when was healed and went back to a natural UK 18 (US 16). It was like poof I was invisible again. It was interesting to see Jackie seduced by that power and want it so bad that she would literally watch people eat rather than eat herself.
I also thought it was interesting that the children in the novel perceive Jackie’s weight loss as making her look gaunt/ill/unhealthy, but the men all find her to be beautiful and magnetic.
The problem with the power conveyed by thinness, in my opinion, is that it's bestowed rather than earned or taken. It comes from without rather than within. That makes it hollow and gives Jackie an insatiability for more power rather than any kind of satisfaction. Really well done in the book.
You're so right about how getting thin, or becoming what is traditionally thought of as attractive, as giving "power." But it's such a weird, fickle, and easily lost power. As a younger woman it was a power I also felt made me vulnerable, because at times I felt like male attention was dangerous in some of the ways that it was expressed.
This is such a good point. Jackie took it to such an extreme, but I also found it very believable because of this.
My real name is Nancy Binford. I’m not afraid to tell this group my name, but I was advised to have a separate moniker for my other Substack commentary!
I loved the book. Loved the imagery and characters. Loved the chapters from each character’s point of view. Loved the riveting story.
My question for Lindsay is, how did you decide to craft the narrative to end with the neurodivergent character as the murderer instead of one of the cheaters? There must be a symbolic reason for the choice.
I look forward to the discussion tomorrow. We’ll be in Austin listening!
Great book. Great conversation.
I am going to need to have the ending explained to me. I have listened to it four times now. Apologies in advance for not getting it.
I am missing the audio option on your Substack. Which is very sad because I can’t read as a result of surgery I am still recovering from, and I only subscribe to Substack that I can listen to. Will that option be returning?
Hi Janie. I've never had an audio option...