miapetra's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
canadianoranges's review against another edition
4.0
The Nix definitely loses some steam in the final 3rd, where things should be ramping up. There's a very clear and defined voice, especially in the chapters involving Samuel, that doesn't come out as clear in the C, D and E level plots.
Still enjoyable, but may be too long winded for some. As an audiobook, listening at 2x, I still found it to be long in parts, but still entertaining.
Still enjoyable, but may be too long winded for some. As an audiobook, listening at 2x, I still found it to be long in parts, but still entertaining.
hbeaupre23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sde's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast-paced book with a very interesting plot, but there were too many detailed story lines. For instance, I understand why the author added the character of Pwange, the gamer, because he needed him as a plot device, but why all the details about the gaming, why all the details in the physical description of Axman, who was even a more minor character than Pwange? Same with Laura the college student and all the minute details of the main character's relationship with his childhood friend, Bishop. (Although I found that story fascinating, and it could have been its own book.) I think the author could have cut a lot out and had an even better book.
I did very much like the evolution of Samuel's relationship with his mother and the uncovering of his mother's character. Like most of life, everything is much more nuanced than it appears on the surface. I like how she finally learned not to be manipulated.
Everything wraps up very neatly and mostly happily at the end, which may run some readers the wrong way, but now that I am middle-aged, I kind of like that. There are enough loose ends and bad stuff in real life.
Good writer with good ideas. Will be looking forward to seeing him grow and finesse his craft. (Hopefully he is more than a one shot wonder like Samuel!)
Was extremely disappointed that I was out of town when my book group met to discuss this. Am very curious about what others think. There are so many story lines, that I'm guessing different things stuck with different readers.
I did very much like the evolution of Samuel's relationship with his mother and the uncovering of his mother's character. Like most of life, everything is much more nuanced than it appears on the surface. I like how she finally learned not to be manipulated.
Everything wraps up very neatly and mostly happily at the end, which may run some readers the wrong way, but now that I am middle-aged, I kind of like that. There are enough loose ends and bad stuff in real life.
Good writer with good ideas. Will be looking forward to seeing him grow and finesse his craft. (Hopefully he is more than a one shot wonder like Samuel!)
Was extremely disappointed that I was out of town when my book group met to discuss this. Am very curious about what others think. There are so many story lines, that I'm guessing different things stuck with different readers.
lomur98's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ursovrmne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
almost a 4 star i think??
this book is a mammoth dive into one man and the events that happens to him and his relatives that shape his life. i found this book frustrating from part 7 to part 9 i would say but part 10 recovered this book entirely for me.
reading the acknowledgements really showed me how much effort and time and care was put into writing this book
im not sure how to express how i feel right now so maybe ill come back to write my full review but i was definitely frustrated for a while. also theres a lot of grand reveals in the second half of the book that i feel were too frequent like im not gasping at them idk how to express this feeling fully
an incredibly well written and researched book that cumulates into a hugely interesting feat of writing
i enjoyed the characters very much
i like how the stories all intersect and the last part is very satisfying
i do agree with other people that it was too long to tell this story though. like it could have been shorter and still told the whole thing.
idk ill come back with more thoughts i think
this book is a mammoth dive into one man and the events that happens to him and his relatives that shape his life. i found this book frustrating from part 7 to part 9 i would say but part 10 recovered this book entirely for me.
reading the acknowledgements really showed me how much effort and time and care was put into writing this book
im not sure how to express how i feel right now so maybe ill come back to write my full review but i was definitely frustrated for a while. also theres a lot of grand reveals in the second half of the book that i feel were too frequent like im not gasping at them idk how to express this feeling fully
an incredibly well written and researched book that cumulates into a hugely interesting feat of writing
i enjoyed the characters very much
i like how the stories all intersect and the last part is very satisfying
i do agree with other people that it was too long to tell this story though. like it could have been shorter and still told the whole thing.
idk ill come back with more thoughts i think
mmchampion's review against another edition
3.0
It seems that I no longer find cynicism funny... Have I gotten old?! This book was great fodder for a book club discussion, but I simply was not humored by it. In fact, it felt like work to finish it in time to discuss. While I appreciated the author's ability to string a long a cast of characters and their stories - 1968 Chicago riots to 2011 New York 99 percenters - some of their stories were just too much to bear. Spare me on the details if you're not going to complete their stories! I enjoyed discussing this book with others, and I'm even happier that I don't have to read it any more.
angieincaps's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
inkletter7's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0