Joan Schleinkofer

Joan Schleinkofer asked:

I'm 200+ pages in. There are some great moments, some funny moments ( the college student is the best) but I'm getting bored and wondering if I should throw in the towel. I was always one to finish once started, but at 56 years old have realized life is too short to finish a book I'm not enjoying, my "to read" list is too long for that. Do I trudge forward and hope for the best or quit now and move on? Advice pls?

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9 years ago
44 answers

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Jan This is a complex tale which covers so much ground. I was mesmerized as well as amazed at how well someone in his 40s painted my growing up era of the late 1960s. I couldn't wait to see what he'd capture next.

I suggest the audiobook. I choose audio for long stories, that way the reader continues through the parts that I may find boring. I like to listen when walking the dog, doing kitchen duty, and driving. The reader for this audiobook is fabulous. Loved the college student and the video game guy. He masters all the characters.

This and The Underground Railroad are my two favorite books of the year (listened to both).

Hope this helps. P.S. I may have enjoyed the book so much since I had been one of those many protesters.

Rhiannon I don't want to raise your expectations too high, but this is my new favorite book. Worth the trek through at the very least.

Al FWIW, I only made it to just over 100. But then, I'm older than you and have less time. :-)

Linda The part I struggled with were Pwnage's sections. I'd keep going though, the ending is really good. It all comes together in a really fitting way.

Rita I agree, half way through and I am bored with all this dysfunction.

Sheilah Cate I would advise trudging forward - the various threads come together for a big pay off.

Matt overrated. throw in the towel.

Leslie I am in this exact situation.

Jackson Trust yourself with the details to skip. Just as some love descriptions of food while others just think 'eating dinner' and move along.

Greg I'm 58 and have stopped reading more midway this year than ever before. Maybe it's an age thing. But I started The Nix last night, so far seems a good fit for me but a lot of computer game stuff which I've never played.

Kim Dahl I rarely quit a book either, but I'm halfway through and it seems pointless to go on.

Vicki I loved the book. It is very detailed but needed for the full understanding of the story. I used audio. I agree with the others that this book is probably best with audio (as many long books are). The narration is spot on too. I usually listen to adio books at 1.2 or 1.5 x the normal speed.

Mike I've given up reading books that don't grab me, especially ones that that I've had to struggle 100 or 200 pages through, and there are still 400 to go. I'm reading this book at present and finding it takes a very long time for anything to actually happen. Far too much detail. I'm hoping it'll improve.

Nicole You got further than I did. I gave up around page 57. I just didn't want to spend any more time with these characters.

Jay Taylor Stick with it.
This was my generation and I'm enjoying the hell out of it!

Jc The book DOES have slow points. But so many high points as well. I kept reading and was satisfied :)

James Seldner Hope you carried on! On the other hand if you didn't buy into the potential of the novel after the first 50 pages....especially Samuel and Laura story, bag it :-) I expect this novel to be among the best of the year. Cheers!

Jeanine I hope you kept going. I felt much the same way and am very glad I finished it!

Sue❊ I had that same desire to say no more, unlikeable characters, where is the plot going to take us. I hung in there and was very satisfied with the ending. It certainly did not need to be so long. Nathan Hill has a lot on his mind and he gets it all out there in this book. His writing was so good it led to easy skimming especially during the on line fantasy games. I say go for it.

Brad Jensen Keep Reading.... Definitely Worth IT!

Or snag the audio version, as that is how I am digesting the tasty buffet!

Jeff I'm 80% through, and personally find it to be getting better and better.

Tweetybird Do not waste your time Joan... I'm sorry I did. Very lame all around, it does not get any more riveting.

Bob Bolt I listened to the entire audio book -- had the same concerns especially after about 4-5 CDs (there are 17 in total). Stuck with it and, by the end, felt it was worthwhile. But couldn't the guy have gotten and editor to pare down the slow parts?

Gina I felt the same way at certain points in the book but I was listening to the audiobook. There are parts that I laughed out loud at the irony and others that I just didn't connect with. However, by the time I completed the whole book I rated it 5 stars and think it is easily one of the best books I've read so far in 2017!

Elaine VanCleave I loved this book. I listened to it on audio as I was riding around town running errands, etc. The reader brings every character to life.

Kim M. Belknap No matter the ratings or the opinions of others, no book will appeal to everyone. There really are too many books and not enough time. If you aren't into any book after reading nearly a third of it don't feel guilty about not finishing it.

Wendy Hall What did you decide to do, Joan? This book came up for me at my library and I am not sure I want to take the plunge into 628 pages with mixed reviews. I am like you - I don't like to stop a book I have started reading, but I am getting better at it!

Susan I'm 1200 e- pages in and have loved every step of the way! Wow! I am the queen of abandoning books that don't grab me by page 40 -( the formula is; 100-your age=how far to read before you can toss it). This young author has done a terrific job of winding various stories and compelling, believable characters into a great ride for the reader. He has been brave, funny, contemporary and empathetic here with his characters. AND he can write! Can't wait to see what he does next. He is more in the league with Jonathon Franzen or Barbara Kingsolver. If you prefer fluff writers and stories, maybe this one is not for you.

Kristi S. I'd say keep going - the ending is worth the 600+ pages :)

Najib Cambris if I could give the book 10 stars I would. I am now reading this book for a second time, definitely best book ever.

Helen Stick it out - it all comes together and worth it.

Jerry Eleven I'm no help. I'm in the same boat. Listening to the audio book as I drive, wishing I could skip paragraphs to find the next item that would move the story along.
Edit - I finished it. !! The story was much more a 'This is what people do" than anything else. The only reason there was any mystery was because the author took a hundred pages to explain a simple situation. The depth and detail of the characters thoughts not only drove me crazy, but did not add to the basis of the story.
So, this novel is really a study of a bunch of fictional characters mindsets. I think the people that really enjoyed this book would have liked it even without 'What happened with Faye' mystery.

Dan Sallberg I walked away at less than 100 pages, about when abandoned son meets mom. There are too many other books, well-written books, to read, like "Gnomon," by Nick Harkaway.

Jeanne wondering what you decided to do...

Juli Manz I'm a firm "go forward" supporter of "The Nix." I laughed my head off through the entire book! Nathan Hill's view of society, past and present, made me laugh out loud so many times!! It's my favorite when an author can make me laugh like Nathan Hill's "The Nix" did. I found some areas a little drawn out, but read the whole book inside five days. Don't care about page numbers--long books don't intimidate me--I just love reading good stories. And "The Nix" is the best book I've read in 2017 by far!!

Lew Fulton Hang in there everyone! Worth it!

Sandy Kell I'm also at that point now and was wondering the same thing. Judging from most the answers here, I will carry on!

Merri Monks I felt the same way at about the same point--but the book is great. Stick with it.

Jeff Carpenter Keep going; it takes off around page 300, and over the next twenty pages, I started thinking of it as a contemporary sibling of E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime.

Anna Did you end up throwing in the towel? I am only 60 pages in and already finding it tedious! I was going to give it to page 100...

Jose Noboa i was the same way, the first 30% was very slow and dry. however its well worth the wait . i loved it. i just finished it today

Nancy It is slow to get into, I almost quit, but am glad that I didn't. Yes, this could have been a series of books but just relax and take your time reading it.

Zoe Help! I'm on 260 of 6xx. I've been givin' (from the library 2 more books!). I'm reading as fast as I can.

Joan Schleinkofer Based on all the comments, I'm going to put it back on my "to read" list and give it another try. Thanks everyone!

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