Nina: Adolescence

Rating:
Summary: an absolute MUST read!!!!
Review: Adolescence is hard enough--without your mother documenting every physical change you undergo, let alone naming you the nude subject of her art. This is just what Nina, the protagonist of Amy Hassinger's novel, Nina:Adolescence, must endure after her four-year-old brother, Dylan, suddenly drowns one afternoon in the pond behind their suburban-Boston home. Depressed and lonely after her son's death, Nina's mother finds refuge in her art, painting nude portraits of Nina and devoting her entire self to capturing the changes in her daughter: the rounding thighs, budding breasts, curving hip bones. Meanwhile, Nina is becoming more aware of her own sexuality, abetted by a cast of characters including Raissa, a friend from dance class, and her mother's old friend, Leo, an art critic with dubious intentions. A dancer, both conscious of her body and uncomfortable with her burgeoning sexuality, Nina must publicly deal with these changes as her mother wins praise for her haunting portraits.

In careful, exact prose, Amy Hassinger eloquently captures the delicacy of adolescence pulls off a compelling coming of age novel. What distinguishes this work is the humanity with which Hassinger writes--the way she understands and nurtures her characters. Instead of exploiting Dylan's death as a less polished writer might, Hassinger organically evokes the memory of his drowning as it was: quick, sudden, and still confusing after four years; his memory haunts the family like the portraits do all those who look upon them. This is an excellent book by an author whose voice I would follow anywhere.

Nina is a true piece of literary fiction that explores the themes of growing up, love, and family that are relevant to us all. I am an avid reader and this is one of the best books I have read in a LONG time. Do yourself a favor and buy this book TODAY!

Rating:
Summary: you have to listen to his audiobook- ITS GREAT!
Review: I could not stop listening to this book! any audio book fan would enjoy this production. Mia Barron (the narrator)does an excellent job--especially with the interaction between the two teenage girls- Nina & her friend Riassa. It will remind you of your teenage years!
Great author, great story, even better on tape!
(aren't they always though!)

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I have a hard time reading something new without falling asleep. It usually takes me several attempts before I can acutally get into a book before I nod off. Needless to say, this makes reading a novel a very long process. This was NOT the case with this book. I read Nina in 3 days which I have NEVER done before! I had no problem staying "awake" to read the first chapters and by that point I was so engrossed in the story and characters it was hard to put it down. I am looking for a window of opportunity to read this one again BUT I am 3 weeks into another book that I can hopefully finish before Hassingers second novel is released...

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I have a hard time reading something new without falling asleep. It usually takes me several attempts before I can acutally get into a book before I nod off. Needless to say, this makes reading a novel a very long process. This was NOT the case with this book. I read Nina in 3 days which I have NEVER done before! I had no problem staying "awake" to read the first chapters and by that point I was so engrossed in the story and characters it was hard to put it down. I am looking for a window of opportunity to read this one again BUT I am 3 weeks into another book that I can hopefully finish before Hassingers second novel is released...

Rating:
Summary: Well worth reading
Review: I prefer to read than write so this is my first review on Amazon. However, my teenage daughter and I both finished Nina Adolescence and felt this new book merited a review so other people would be sure to read this book. The book was a fairly quick read, but the characters and emotion of the book remained with me. It is because the descriptions are powerfully realistic. The characters, while not too admirable were very real. I could imagine these people living in their Boston suburb, flirting with the urban art scene, searching for their own identities, and struggling with the emotions of parenting....the death of one child and the loss of the other to adulthood.

The author is perceptive and convincingly conveys the varied emotions surrounding growing up. While the story is told from Nina's perspective, Hassinger is sensitive to the emotions of the other characters. Even though Nina may not understand what they are feeling, the reader can see the complexity in their emotions and their lives. Hassinger's style and power are impressive. I've recommended this book to a number of friends and it has generated good, thoughtful discussion.

Rating:
Summary: a painterly work
Review: Remember when your English teacher told you that the mark of a really good piece of writing was when the language was so masterfully employed as to be utterly beautiful and at the same time completely transparent, throwing the story into hyper-real relief without calling attention to itself? Your teacher was referring to Nina: Adolescence.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to!
Review: The recording of this fabulous first novel from Amy Hassinger is sublime! Do yourself a favor and listen to it!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to!
Review: The recording of this fabulous first novel from Amy Hassinger is sublime! Do yourself a favor and listen to it!

Rating:
Summary: Well worth reading
Review: This novel deals beautifully with a fascinating and challenging subject - the female teenage years. At times the writing in 'Nina: Adolescence' transports me into Nina's very thoughts and circumstances. Amazing. The writing has a wonderful pace and lightness of touch. Don't miss out.

Rating:
Summary: An exceptional novel.
Review: This novel deals beautifully with a fascinating and challenging subject - the female teenage years. At times the writing in 'Nina: Adolescence' transports me into Nina's very thoughts and circumstances. Amazing. The writing has a wonderful pace and lightness of touch. Don't miss out.