Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Nix

Every once in a while you read book that is so excellently crafted - a book that makes such keen observations about society - and a book whose characters, while not necessarily likable, are intriguing nonetheless.

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.

Content Warnings

beingsimba's review against another edition

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funny reflective slow-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Composing my thoughts towards The Nix is tricky because I didn't really enjoy it but can easily see why others did.

I enjoyed the premise of the novel and found Hill's writing to be, at times, so incredibly engaging. There were some scenes that were so witty or poignant and it was so wonderfully easy to get wrapped up in the story.
In saying that, wow, was the novel ever long and drawn out. The subplots could have easily been removed and nothing would have been lost. And for all those times I didn't feel engaged, I found the novel and characters to be quite dull. About halfway through the novel I realized I didn't care what happened to them.

Again, I understand why my thoughts may not be in the majority because The Nix felt like it was on the cusp of something spectacular; it just didn't quite make it there for me.

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laurenwerlinger's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny slow-paced

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

Nathan Hill writes with meticulous, almost extreme detail, a feature of his writing style that is mostly engaging and addictive but sometimes becomes a slog to read through. This book easily could have been one or two hundred pages shorter. However, the majority of the reading experience was a good one.

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.

Content Warnings

hdyer2021's review against another edition

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Spoiler

the part where he masturbates and pretends that bishop is Bethany is just sickening

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