A review by sde
The Nix by Nathan Hill
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.