I agree, Nathan isn't unsympathetic. But is he trustworthy? Is he really sharing all this stuff because he wants the truth to be known, and because he doesn't want it all to fade away? Or is he doing it because he wants revenge, and money?
Or is it all of the above?
This still wouldn't make him unsympathetic. But I think it makes him less "admirable".
I had meant to respond to your comment, but I didn't get a chance at the time!
You're probably right, I'd have to do another read-through. I was sympathizing with Nathan pretty strongly on this first read, and while he's not beyond reproach, I'd cite the fact that he's clearly not the same guy as his selfish, hedonistic former self. He's not chasing down hipster twentysomethings, he's not even indulging in drugs—he takes a hit from Micah's joint, immediately regrets it, and thinks, "I don't know how the kids smoke this stuff anymore." He's older now, and he knows it. But I do appreciate that in his age/culture whiplash, he doesn't go around complaining about pronouns, he's flabbergasted by the $14 coffees and right-wing fuckery. So he's at least fallen on the good side of aging. A low bar, maybe, but it does make me admire him more compared to, well, most Americans.
I don't know that he's living a near-ghostly existence in Raj's apartment just biding his time until some comeback, I think prison and introspection have turned him into a bit of a monk. I'd be curious to see what he'd do if the Bad Habits guys fell and Nathan got some recompense. Again, he's not squeaky clean, but I wonder if seeing the state of things is enough of a shock to move him to start a label or publication of his own, and maybe one not built on bribes and scenester cults. Sounds silly, but it's an extreme I'm curious about.
But that's not the world he—nor we—live in. So he doesn't get that chance.
That said, you're probably right, and that dark thread of his former self is probably more prominent on another read. I'll be curious to revisit this one!
I originally found myself wishing that the book didn't end in the way it did. As you've suggested, "What Nathan Did Next" would be a fascinating follow-up. But the whole thing's probably best left as a self-contained story.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! There’s a ton of references from American music and general culture, and I bet a lot of it made it across the Pond at the time. That said, I myself was only on the periphery of American hipster culture, and I’ve only visited NY a couple of times, but I knew enough to get most of the references and I’m convinced a reader could sink into the drama and comedy of Nathan’s story itself. Let’s discuss, if/when you read it!
Wayback on the review stack….and by my fave writer on here too. Made my night
This comment has made my day!
And it’s a hell of a book!
I agree, Nathan isn't unsympathetic. But is he trustworthy? Is he really sharing all this stuff because he wants the truth to be known, and because he doesn't want it all to fade away? Or is he doing it because he wants revenge, and money?
Or is it all of the above?
This still wouldn't make him unsympathetic. But I think it makes him less "admirable".
I had meant to respond to your comment, but I didn't get a chance at the time!
You're probably right, I'd have to do another read-through. I was sympathizing with Nathan pretty strongly on this first read, and while he's not beyond reproach, I'd cite the fact that he's clearly not the same guy as his selfish, hedonistic former self. He's not chasing down hipster twentysomethings, he's not even indulging in drugs—he takes a hit from Micah's joint, immediately regrets it, and thinks, "I don't know how the kids smoke this stuff anymore." He's older now, and he knows it. But I do appreciate that in his age/culture whiplash, he doesn't go around complaining about pronouns, he's flabbergasted by the $14 coffees and right-wing fuckery. So he's at least fallen on the good side of aging. A low bar, maybe, but it does make me admire him more compared to, well, most Americans.
I don't know that he's living a near-ghostly existence in Raj's apartment just biding his time until some comeback, I think prison and introspection have turned him into a bit of a monk. I'd be curious to see what he'd do if the Bad Habits guys fell and Nathan got some recompense. Again, he's not squeaky clean, but I wonder if seeing the state of things is enough of a shock to move him to start a label or publication of his own, and maybe one not built on bribes and scenester cults. Sounds silly, but it's an extreme I'm curious about.
But that's not the world he—nor we—live in. So he doesn't get that chance.
That said, you're probably right, and that dark thread of his former self is probably more prominent on another read. I'll be curious to revisit this one!
I originally found myself wishing that the book didn't end in the way it did. As you've suggested, "What Nathan Did Next" would be a fascinating follow-up. But the whole thing's probably best left as a self-contained story.
Okay, when I'm through with your book, this sounds like the next Substack book I'll read ...
I’d love to hear your thoughts! There’s a ton of references from American music and general culture, and I bet a lot of it made it across the Pond at the time. That said, I myself was only on the periphery of American hipster culture, and I’ve only visited NY a couple of times, but I knew enough to get most of the references and I’m convinced a reader could sink into the drama and comedy of Nathan’s story itself. Let’s discuss, if/when you read it!
I’ll probably be the person looking up the references - but I don’t mind books that make me do that …