homegrownbookpicks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
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.
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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
mmatti300's review
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.25
I found myself really invested in this book, in fact the day I finished I read over 200 pages in one sitting (something I do rather often but not necessarily for books of this size). That being said, this book was almost unnecessarily long and I often felt myself wishing that Nathan Hill had cut some details or sections out. That being said, many of the sections were really really important to the end so I understand why he wrote them. However, it took me so long to read this book and many times I was ready to take a break and finish a different book because it was taking me so long, in a way that made me frustrated considering I picked it up every day and thoroughly enjoyed the 80 or so pages I read every time.
Content Warnings
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
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.
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
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
Spoiler
the part where he masturbates and pretends that bishop is Bethany is just sickeningSpoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
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