homegrownbookpicks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Nix was a book that kept me turning pages, nodding my head, and wondering what would happen next.
Taking place between Samuel’s childhood - and also his mother’s teen years in the late 1960s - and present day (2011), this is the story of family, loss, misunderstanding, grief, hope, and much more. It is a story that makes spot on observations about politics and society.
Add in a character - Pwange - who is addicted to gaming (and oddly this character really works in the story) - and I was amazed by how many moving parts Nathan Hill could have in a novel.
Fair warning - lots of triggers in this book (and cursing). Sexual abuse, physical abuse, and a lot of violence that surrounded the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. I felt, though, that all of this had its place in the book and time periods.
Overall, through the characters I got a deep look at society during two very troubling times in our history.
If you’re looking for a long (600+ pages) novel with interesting characters and many plot twists - plus a history lesson - pick this one up. I’m sad this is Nathan Hill’s only novel.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
mmatti300's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Hate crime, Police brutality, Homophobia, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Violence, Toxic relationship, Rape, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Gun violence, Grief, Drug use, and Dementia
laurenwerlinger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Difficult topics are covered with both care and brutal honesty. Every nook and cranny of each character's pathetic, awful life is exposed, and I found myself not really liking them very much, but relating to them heavily.
The way the multigenerational narrative is told is effective. Hill portrays the cycle of trauma very well.
The Nix is sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, and always spot-on with its observations about human nature.
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Rape
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual content
hdyer2021's review against another edition
Spoiler
the part where he masturbates and pretends that bishop is Bethany is just sickeningSpoiler
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence