Wormhole

‘Wormhole is a forensic account of a family tragedy where the limits of medicine drove a woman to the dark corners of social media, with fatal consequence. Written with sharp wit, rare insight and heart-wrenching pathos, this book is not just about the author’s search for answers but how we all navigate the world as it is today and will increasingly become. I couldn’t put it down.’ – Dr Nick Coatsworth‘Wormhole is a propulsive journey through the darker recesses of the wellness industry, and a compelling examination of the systemic and structural injustices that leave chronically unwell people vulnerable to misinformation and exploitation. Hannah McElhinney’s compassionate and moving telling of her cousin’s search for recognition, treatment and cure, and the loss of her life to an invasive alternative procedure, reveals the devastating cost of the medical establishment’s tendency to dismiss symptoms of chronic illness, especially when experienced by people inhabiting female bodies. An urgent and courageous book.’ – Elinor Cleghorn‘McElhinney turns detective in this page turning, true-life thriller that hits with a punch. Utterly essential reading in this era of new-age healthcare wormholes.’ – Jacinta Parsons‘I loved this book - a forensic exploration of alternative medicine, the dangers of health misinformation and those who weaponise it, and the human side of loving someone who was vulnerable to the trap. Wormhole is a great read, and has never been more crucial than this political moment.’ – Hannah Ferguson‘What a read! Hannah McElhinney has written a gripping page-turner about health misinformation, the wellness industry and Western medicine’s strengths and weaknesses. With compassion, McElhinney traces her cousin’s fatal descent down the health conspiracy wormhole that led to a deadly and unneeded treatment in Malaysia. The book sensitively addresses the suffering of those with undiagnosed symptoms while confronting the dangerous rise of health conspiracy theories. McElhinney poses urgent questions about how society should respond to health misinformation while acknowledging medicine’s shortcomings in the way it treats patients with complex chronic diseases. I highly recommend this excellent read.’ – Gabrielle Jackson, deputy editor of The Guardian

Hannah McElhinney is the writer and creator of Rainbow History Class, a globally recognised social media channel and book that shares the queer and trans history we so rarely have the opportunity to learn.

She wrote and directed the Webby-nominated docuseries TransAthletica, for which she won an Australian Directors’ Guild award, as well as its sequel, HOOPS.

Hannah is the co-founder and chief creator of Snack Drawer, a social-first creative agency. She lives in Naarm/Melbourne with her wife and dog. This is her second book.