Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
54th out of 110 books
—
263 voters
Thy Neighbor: A Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author, a first novel as spellbinding as her acclaimed nonfiction
At thirty-four, Nick Walsh is a broken, deeply cynical man. Since the violent deaths of his parents thirteen years earlier, he has been living alone in his childhood home in the suburban Midwest, drinking, drugging, and debauching himself into oblivion. A measure of solace...more
At thirty-four, Nick Walsh is a broken, deeply cynical man. Since the violent deaths of his parents thirteen years earlier, he has been living alone in his childhood home in the suburban Midwest, drinking, drugging, and debauching himself into oblivion. A measure of solace...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
August 2nd 2012
by Viking Adult
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
394)
Try to sum up this book. Go ahead and just try.
A guy whose parents died in a murder-suicide sits in his house, spying on his neighbors, and comes to discover that he is being watched? That's certainly part of it. A man learns to come to terms with his dark past and discover that the gene pool does not have to dictate who he becomes? Sort of. Sometimes everyone in a family can love the same person? Yes, in a way, but ...
Let's start with the basics. Nick Walsh festers, whether alone in his home, s...more
A guy whose parents died in a murder-suicide sits in his house, spying on his neighbors, and comes to discover that he is being watched? That's certainly part of it. A man learns to come to terms with his dark past and discover that the gene pool does not have to dictate who he becomes? Sort of. Sometimes everyone in a family can love the same person? Yes, in a way, but ...
Let's start with the basics. Nick Walsh festers, whether alone in his home, s...more
Author: Norah Vincent
Title: Thy Neighbor
Description: Nick lives a wasted life alone in his childhood home, spending most of his days sleeping and most of his nights drunk and high. Thirteen years before, his father shot his mother, then committed suicide, and that was pretty much it for Nick. When he can think, he spends his time with Monica, a girl with no last name, past, or occupation, or he spies on his neighbors.
Review source: netgalley
Plot: Somehow, things seem to be revealing more about...more
Title: Thy Neighbor
Description: Nick lives a wasted life alone in his childhood home, spending most of his days sleeping and most of his nights drunk and high. Thirteen years before, his father shot his mother, then committed suicide, and that was pretty much it for Nick. When he can think, he spends his time with Monica, a girl with no last name, past, or occupation, or he spies on his neighbors.
Review source: netgalley
Plot: Somehow, things seem to be revealing more about...more
This is a difficult book to review, mainly because I’m not completely sure how I feel about it yet. It’s one of those books which sinks its teeth in and makes more sense the longer it marinates in the reader.
There are some really good moments, many fascinating sentences, the kind that make you go “wow, I’ve never thought of that in that particular manner”. It is definitely a literary book, with lots of internal monologues. For a lot of the book, these are witty and make the reading very enjoyab...more
There are some really good moments, many fascinating sentences, the kind that make you go “wow, I’ve never thought of that in that particular manner”. It is definitely a literary book, with lots of internal monologues. For a lot of the book, these are witty and make the reading very enjoyab...more
My Thoughts
When we first meet Nick, he is one crazy dude. Crazy as in, he doesn’t have both oars in the water. Or, both oars are in the water but they’re on the same side of the boat. Or, my personal favorite, he has both oars in the water but no boat! Get my drift? We learn very early in the story that when Nick was twenty-one, his Dad shot his Mom, and then turned the gun on himself. Nick had no idea why this happened and has spent the thirteen years since wondering what events took place the...more
When we first meet Nick, he is one crazy dude. Crazy as in, he doesn’t have both oars in the water. Or, both oars are in the water but they’re on the same side of the boat. Or, my personal favorite, he has both oars in the water but no boat! Get my drift? We learn very early in the story that when Nick was twenty-one, his Dad shot his Mom, and then turned the gun on himself. Nick had no idea why this happened and has spent the thirteen years since wondering what events took place the...more
Unable to understand why his Father killed his Mother, then took his own life, Nick begins installing hidden cameras in his neighbors' homes, voyeurism that only inspires more questions than answers ... especially about himself. Written by a seasoned (and often controversial) journalist, Norah Vincent's fiction debut THY NEIGHBOR is a wonderful showcase of her considerable skill with prose. Unfortunately, as a story, it often meanders off course and struggles to keep our interest, is stocked wit...more
When I first started to read Thy Neighbour I thought to myself that this was just a trashy creepy novel. The farther I read I began to feel there was more to the book and I did not want to put it down.
Nick Walsh who tries to forget his past as well as his parents death by the means of drugs and alcohol is just sinking lower and lower. As he tries to understand his parents death he starts to spy on his neighbours as if there may be a clue beyond his home. He becomes involved with Monica, a woman...more
Nick Walsh who tries to forget his past as well as his parents death by the means of drugs and alcohol is just sinking lower and lower. As he tries to understand his parents death he starts to spy on his neighbours as if there may be a clue beyond his home. He becomes involved with Monica, a woman...more
This is a difficult book to enjoy as the main protagonist Nick Walsh is not a likeable character. He is cynical and disillusioned and deeply flawed. He is truly overwhelmed by the grief he feels for the loss of his parents, and yet underneath the facade is a vulnerability which at times cuts through his tactless and often blundering behaviour.
This is Norah Vincent’s debut novel, undeniably there are some flashes of brilliance, but there is also a lot to disturb the mind, and make the reader just...more
This is Norah Vincent’s debut novel, undeniably there are some flashes of brilliance, but there is also a lot to disturb the mind, and make the reader just...more
Aug 01, 2012
Michelle
added it
Grief does funny things to people. For Nick Walsh in Norah Vincent’s debut fictional novel Thy Neighbor, grief is the excuse he uses in order to explain his excessive drinking and drug use. For the past thirteen years, Nick drinks himself into a memory-blanking stupor in order to ease his pain and confusion at the sudden and violent murder/suicide of his parents. When he is not doing that, or sleeping off the effects of the alcohol, he is busy spying on his neighbors, taking a perverse glee at t...more
This book was creepy and deeply uncomfortable, but gripping and suspenseful nonetheless. Nick Walsh is the only survivor of the murder/suicide of his parents. Thirteen years later he deals with his wounds by spying on his neighbors. Gradually he becomes aware that he, in fact, is the one being stalked as the past returns for retribution. I had a lot of trouble getting into this book initially, but then it grabbed hold and didn't let go until the very end. Some of the subject matter was deeply d...more
Never mind that the main character is a total douchebag...and that he spends most of his time spying on his neighbors, with High Tech equipment he bullied some poor soul to install...and he has Issues with his dead parents (don't we all)
Nasty characters don't bother me......when they can't advance their own pathetic story, that is a crime!
I'm not half way through this Net Galley..it's about to expire...and I still have no idea of this book's STORY
That pisses me off....
*******************
THY NEIG...more
Nasty characters don't bother me......when they can't advance their own pathetic story, that is a crime!
I'm not half way through this Net Galley..it's about to expire...and I still have no idea of this book's STORY
That pisses me off....
*******************
THY NEIG...more
I found this book difficult on multiple levels. First, I thought this book was written in a detached manner. I found I could never completely connect to any of the characters which didn't allow me to warm up to the book in general. Second, the book was extremely gratuitous in graphic language and scenes. Granted this is very important to the storyline and the character of Nick, but the constant reference beat me down and almost came across that it was much more of a shock factor. Although I did...more
I'm not even sure how ot classify this one.. it's a lot more than I expected that's for dang sure. There were some moments I busted a gut laughing - which is SO RARE for me! So I loved that although the things I found hilarious were quite gross and definitely not recommended for younger readers.. I have a twisted sense of humor though that can be quite dark.. :D
This book was deeper than I expected, honestly I was expecting a pretty straight forward mystery/thriller which is NOT Thy Neighbor at...more
This book was deeper than I expected, honestly I was expecting a pretty straight forward mystery/thriller which is NOT Thy Neighbor at...more
Nov 05, 2012
Darlene
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobook,
books-given-for-review
I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.
Thy Neighbor is gritty and dark; not for the faint of heart.
Nick Walsh is seriously messed up. I suppose it is hard to blame him when his upbringing, or lack of it, was so bad. His highly intelligent mother tried to stimulate Nick’s mind as a child, but he simply wasn’t intellectually gifted like his mother. She ended up drown...more
Thy Neighbor is gritty and dark; not for the faint of heart.
Nick Walsh is seriously messed up. I suppose it is hard to blame him when his upbringing, or lack of it, was so bad. His highly intelligent mother tried to stimulate Nick’s mind as a child, but he simply wasn’t intellectually gifted like his mother. She ended up drown...more
It took me months to get through this book. I got up into the 140's and then kept finding better things to read. I finally powered through the ending by bringing it on vacation with me, where I wasn't tempted by all the other good stuff to read at home. And really? I'm glad I did.
Nick is a depressed alcoholic. He's living in the home he grew up in, where a few years back, his father shot his mother and then himself. His only friend is a dysfunctional rich kid/bigot/pervert who is likely only his...more
Nick is a depressed alcoholic. He's living in the home he grew up in, where a few years back, his father shot his mother and then himself. His only friend is a dysfunctional rich kid/bigot/pervert who is likely only his...more
Author: Norah Vincent
Published By: Viking Adult
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Thy Neighbor" by Norah Vincent was some read from the start to the finish. There is a lot to absorb in this read from Nick Walsh. I found him truly a sad person...why? Well apart from the fact that he was jobless, his parents had died in a apparent murder-suicide at home....with him now spying on his neighbors with via spy cameras that he installed in their homes...only to...more
Published By: Viking Adult
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Thy Neighbor" by Norah Vincent was some read from the start to the finish. There is a lot to absorb in this read from Nick Walsh. I found him truly a sad person...why? Well apart from the fact that he was jobless, his parents had died in a apparent murder-suicide at home....with him now spying on his neighbors with via spy cameras that he installed in their homes...only to...more
http://www.cozylittlebookjournal.com/...
I'm surprised more reviews of this book don't start with "I didn't finish this book." I know I almost didn't. It isn't that it isn't good, it's that the beginning is SO hard to get into. At least it was for me, mostly because of the main character/narrator, Nick.
Nick Walsh is possibly the least heroic character in recent literary memory. His back story reads like the origin story of a superhero. His parents died in a gory murder-suicide, leaving him behind...more
I'm surprised more reviews of this book don't start with "I didn't finish this book." I know I almost didn't. It isn't that it isn't good, it's that the beginning is SO hard to get into. At least it was for me, mostly because of the main character/narrator, Nick.
Nick Walsh is possibly the least heroic character in recent literary memory. His back story reads like the origin story of a superhero. His parents died in a gory murder-suicide, leaving him behind...more
Is there a star rating that says I liked it a lot, but found it disturbing although not shocking, but I'm kinda sorry I read it, but glad I read it and wow, that is a mental bang? No, well, maybe there should be. I won this from the Goodreads First Reads program and although on one level I'm pleased, it was a cool read, it was also messed up. The storytelling has great flow, the characters riveting, deeply flawed and show how humans can be so changed from events both within and outside their con...more
Not really sure how I feel about this one....on one hand it is one man's search of self-discovery after his parents' murder-suicide, on the other hand it smacks of shameless self absorbtion. I really didn't like ANY of the characters, which makes it a tough read for me. That being said, I didn't want to put it down. However, the ending for me was blah.
I loved Ms. Vincent's previous two books so was thrilled to see this one in the bookstore. However, the first ten pages or so were filled with what I interpreted as depression and self-loathing that I abandoned it. I hope she writes another book as she is an excellent writer.
A smart, gritty read. I love the way she describes little things that people do when they're just talking to other people...running their fingers around the buttons on a remote control or picking grass and twining it while sitting outside. Voyeuristic train wreck page turner.
I used to know someone this bitter, this wrapped up in all the wrongs done unto him, this tragic. It was strange to read about a character so similar, even though the circumstances are WAY WAY different. Some of the writing was a wee dramatic but overall, I really enjoyed this.
Tonight's choice in my "pick a few books at random from the new releases section." I have been having pretty good luck so far. The title screams: "Trash!" but the description is somewhat intriguing. We'll see....
Update: Wow...tough book to describe, and tough to rate. Very, very dark at times but a plotline that absolutely sucks you in at some point. I guess this would be decribed as a psychological thriller??
Update: Wow...tough book to describe, and tough to rate. Very, very dark at times but a plotline that absolutely sucks you in at some point. I guess this would be decribed as a psychological thriller??
I couldn't get very far before I returned this to the library. There was a creepy main character, his wierd kind-of friend, and crude language that just couldn't keep me reading. I'll pass.
Wow. This book is pretty graphic. I made it through four chapters before I just became too grossed out to continue.
Please note that I received a complimentary advance copy of this book which has definitely not influenced my review. Thank you.
Please note that I received a complimentary advance copy of this book which has definitely not influenced my review. Thank you.
Did not finish this one. 20% read, felt it wasn't going anywhere. Narrative was too long and drawn out. Felt as if it was being crass and crude just to say it was crass and crude.
I can't entirely blame the quality of the book for its unfinished status. It may be that it just isn't a good pick for the middle of a Midwest winter. Will try again this summer.
This book is every bit as disturbing as critics have been saying, yet it is beautifully and knowingly written.
Weird, deceptive, voyeuristic neighbors spying on you as you spy on them. Seemed like a good premise. Execution not so great.
I won this book in the Goodreads "first reads" giveaway! Review to follow!
Couldn't even get halfway through this book...
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Norah Vincent is an American writer.
Vincent was a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies from its 2001 inception to 2003[citation needed]. She has also had columns at Salon.com, The Advocate, the Los Angeles Times, and the Village Voice.
More about Norah Vincent...
Vincent was a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies from its 2001 inception to 2003[citation needed]. She has also had columns at Salon.com, The Advocate, the Los Angeles Times, and the Village Voice.
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Aug 18, 2012 08:32pm