In this sprawling and multifaceted tale, 'The Nix' delves into the complex relationship between Samuel Andresen-Anderson and his estranged mother, Faye. Samuel, an unfulfilled writer and college professor, is jolted from his stagnant life when Faye makes headlines with a bizarre crime, forcing him to confront her mysterious past. This reconciliation journey takes Samuel through the turmoil of America's recent history, from the Vietnam War protests to Occupy Wall Street, and even back to Faye's ancestral origins in Norway. Here, the legend of the Nix, a spirit symbolizing love and loss, weaves through generations, challenging Samuel to reconcile the mother he thought he knew with the woman behind the myth. Nathan Hill's debut novel is a poignant exploration of family, history, and the never-ending quest for truth.