Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Nix by Nathan Hill

4 reviews

briannad4's review

funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Dementia, Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, Death, Ableism, Pedophilia, Abortion, Gun violence, Homophobia, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: War

melissa_b_67's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Classism, Mental illness, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Sexual content, and Police brutality

Moderate: Animal cruelty

homegrownbookpicks's review against another edition

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

beingsimba's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Sexual content, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Death

Minor: Dementia