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jenpaul13's review against another edition
3.0
Life is filled with defining events, which could affect the trajectory of your future. In Nicotine by Nell Zink, a young woman's life gets a new path when her father dies.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Penny Baker's upbringing and family life has been far from ordinary, but despite that, she's followed a fairly typical path by attending business school and being one of the more conventional ones in a family of less conventional psychologies and tendencies. After her father dies, her older-half brothers and her mother allow her to investigate and improve her grandparents house in New Jersey. When she gets to the house, she finds that it's not a decrepit, empty house, but rather a functional squatter's residence named Nicotine after the tobacco imbibing activists who reside there. Rather than evict them, Penny decides to live with them, which changes her perspective and brings her closer to her father in an unexpected way.
This narrative is well-written and it was an interesting read, particularly in light of all contentions the US has been experiencing in the last few months (and weeks in particular), which the narrative also touches upon. The generational divide depicted in the novel is quite accurate, demonstrating the ideals each values, which in turn causes strain between them. I enjoyed how unique and moderately outlandish many of the characters were as this often provided some levity to the events taking place, but this also played to the unbelievable nature of the characters.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Penny Baker's upbringing and family life has been far from ordinary, but despite that, she's followed a fairly typical path by attending business school and being one of the more conventional ones in a family of less conventional psychologies and tendencies. After her father dies, her older-half brothers and her mother allow her to investigate and improve her grandparents house in New Jersey. When she gets to the house, she finds that it's not a decrepit, empty house, but rather a functional squatter's residence named Nicotine after the tobacco imbibing activists who reside there. Rather than evict them, Penny decides to live with them, which changes her perspective and brings her closer to her father in an unexpected way.
This narrative is well-written and it was an interesting read, particularly in light of all contentions the US has been experiencing in the last few months (and weeks in particular), which the narrative also touches upon. The generational divide depicted in the novel is quite accurate, demonstrating the ideals each values, which in turn causes strain between them. I enjoyed how unique and moderately outlandish many of the characters were as this often provided some levity to the events taking place, but this also played to the unbelievable nature of the characters.
jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
3.0
If you like your fiction literary, strange, smart and original and you're not reading Nell Zink there is something wrong. This was good but lost it a little towards the end.
swivelhead's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kimberussell's review against another edition
4.0
This was a batshit-crazy book filled with really troubled people who are just trying to do the best they can in strange situations. It was a fun read, and had a few laugh-out-loud moments with regard to "activism."
It's hard to describe this book without giving too much away, but I do want to say there are various situations where child rape/molestation is alluded to with not a lot of detail, but a lot of suspicion. So if that triggers you, you might want to stay away from this book.
It's hard to describe this book without giving too much away, but I do want to say there are various situations where child rape/molestation is alluded to with not a lot of detail, but a lot of suspicion. So if that triggers you, you might want to stay away from this book.
amengelking's review against another edition
2.0
I was interested in this book for it's quirky plot, but was very disappointed. Who are these people? The characters seemed not even human to me. There were a couple of moments where I could glimpse potential, but it never panned out.
thehancam's review against another edition
3.0
Quick read, but scattered and messy. Not much believable plot
myrtleturtle613's review against another edition
4.0
This book was odd and quirky. The characters were very different from any life Id choose to lead but it was interesting reading about them.
librarylandlisa's review against another edition
4.0
Well that was different, but good. Thanks BOTM club :)
shanequea's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars!
I really struggled with a rating for this one. I liked things about it, even if I didn't understand parts of the story. I think for me, the story was interesting; just not interesting enough for me to give it a higher rating. As the rating suggests, it was okay. The one thing I actually like was the snappy, unapologetic writing style that may have turned other reviewers off. With that being said, I felt that some ideas and characters, that might have been more fleshed out were merely shadows. The plot seemed nonsensical, but maybe that's because it's too far outside my scope of existence.
I came to this book with an open-mind because it wasn't the kind of book I'd necessarily choose for myself (it was sent to me because I didn't choose from the selection in time). It's definitely not the type or writing style or subject matter that I typically read and I think that's why I didn't enjoy it more. It was a bit harder for me to connect to the characters and really immerse myself into the story.
The modern bohemian lifestyle has always interested me. Throw in activism and a lot of family drama and you have an interesting enough novel to read through once, but for me the ultimate description can only be forgettable.
I really struggled with a rating for this one. I liked things about it, even if I didn't understand parts of the story. I think for me, the story was interesting; just not interesting enough for me to give it a higher rating. As the rating suggests, it was okay. The one thing I actually like was the snappy, unapologetic writing style that may have turned other reviewers off. With that being said, I felt that some ideas and characters, that might have been more fleshed out were merely shadows. The plot seemed nonsensical, but maybe that's because it's too far outside my scope of existence.
I came to this book with an open-mind because it wasn't the kind of book I'd necessarily choose for myself (it was sent to me because I didn't choose from the selection in time). It's definitely not the type or writing style or subject matter that I typically read and I think that's why I didn't enjoy it more. It was a bit harder for me to connect to the characters and really immerse myself into the story.
The modern bohemian lifestyle has always interested me. Throw in activism and a lot of family drama and you have an interesting enough novel to read through once, but for me the ultimate description can only be forgettable.