Patrick Nathan

I can't recall the last time I enjoyed a book so much but hated the ending with such intensity. Patrick Nathan's debut novel is simply riveting. The author brilliantly paves a path into the mind of a tormented teenager. The complex characters in "Some Hell" are skillfully developed. The story is beautifully told. But the ending -- at least for me -- was incredibly disappointing. I won't divulge the punchline, but I found myself shaking my head and muttering, "Really?" Still, I can't wait to show more read Nathan's future works. He's definitely a talent. show less

An unnamed narrator is telling us about the life of George Curtis, born György Kertész in 1930s Hungary, as he navigates life as an immigrant, Jew, orphan, gay man, and creative from the late 1940s on. Avoiding the McCarthy-era hunts for reds, gays, etc. Nathan touches on many topics of the time--including electroshock treatments.

I found this book perfectly readable, but also unbelievable. Could a 16-year-old Jewish Hungarian boy have been sent by his parents to New York in 1944 as is his show more story? I find this impossible to believe, but that is the basis for his whole story. How could a non-English-speaking 16-year-old, living with a middle-aged Hungarian woman, have learned English well enough and made enough connections (while also shedding his former selves each time he moves) to be writing successful B movie scripts in Hollywood in the 50s? Or is this meant to be a fully unreliable narrator (or is George himself unreliable)--in which case, what's the point? If this is mythmaking, I need ot know more about the myth and the truth. show less

I loved Some Hell, the debut novel by Patrick Nathan. A father’s suicide and how it impacts his wife and three children, one of who is gay, makes for fast paced absorbing reading. The stunning writing propels the novel through a perilous last act that almost undoes the richly rewarding characters. I was stuck to the book until the very end when the author went with an off the rails ending. I am hoping he’ll have a stronger editor on his next publication.

In this unique and interesting criticism of our current lives Patrick Nathan makes us stop and really think about what is going on around us. Images are constantly flying towards us before we have time to react digest another then another. We are used to it, so it seems harmless, normal even and so we fail to realize that we are losing our ability to think critically about the world and everything in it, including ourselves. Pulling from photography, social media, art and his own personal show more experience we are shown not only how problematic our current culture is, but teaches us how to step back look around and regain control of your self.

Brilliantly researched and a truly fascinating read Image Control is a book unlike any I've come across before yet it has inspired me to keep digging in order to improve upon the life in which we live.

If you like to challenge yourself, question common practices, or simply like to learn about the idea's fueling and influencing society this book is perfect for you!

3.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion, yet still highly recommended. If this concept intrigues you, don't hesitate to pick it up and dive in. You wont be disappointed.

Thank you to netgalley and publishers for providing an advance e-copy of this book so that I may share my honest opinion. show less