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Nirvana Is Here
Winner of the Foreword Reviews INDIE Bronze Medal for LGBTQ Adult Fiction
For Ari Silverman, the past has never really passed. After 20 years, the trauma from a childhood assault resurfaces as he grapples with the fate of his ex-husband, a colleague accused of sexually harassing a student. To gain perspective, Ari arranges to reconnect with his high school crush, Justin Jackson, a bold step which forces him to reflect on their relationship in the segregated suburbs of Detroit during the 1990s and the secrets they still share. An honest story about recovery and coping with both past and present, framed by the meteoric rise and fall of the band Nirvana and the wide-reaching scope of the #metoo movement, Nirvana Is Here, explores issues of identity, race, sex, and family with both poignancy and unexpected humor. Deftly told intertwining stories with rich, real characters are reminiscent of the sensuality and haunting nostalgia of André Aciman’s Call Me by Your Name blended with the raw emotion of Kurt Cobain’s lyrics. Written by award-winning writer Aaron Hamburger, Nirvana Is Here is “a wonder of a book,” according to acclaimed novelist Lauren Grodstein (Our Short History). “As a Jewish Gen-Xer, the novel reminded me exactly of who I once was—and all that I still want to be. A brilliant accomplishment.”
For Ari Silverman, the past has never really passed. After 20 years, the trauma from a childhood assault resurfaces as he grapples with the fate of his ex-husband, a colleague accused of sexually harassing a student. To gain perspective, Ari arranges to reconnect with his high school crush, Justin Jackson, a bold step which forces him to reflect on their relationship in the segregated suburbs of Detroit during the 1990s and the secrets they still share. An honest story about recovery and coping with both past and present, framed by the meteoric rise and fall of the band Nirvana and the wide-reaching scope of the #metoo movement, Nirvana Is Here, explores issues of identity, race, sex, and family with both poignancy and unexpected humor. Deftly told intertwining stories with rich, real characters are reminiscent of the sensuality and haunting nostalgia of André Aciman’s Call Me by Your Name blended with the raw emotion of Kurt Cobain’s lyrics. Written by award-winning writer Aaron Hamburger, Nirvana Is Here is “a wonder of a book,” according to acclaimed novelist Lauren Grodstein (Our Short History). “As a Jewish Gen-Xer, the novel reminded me exactly of who I once was—and all that I still want to be. A brilliant accomplishment.”
380 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2019
9 people are currently reading
1346 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Hamburger
10 books141 followersAaron Hamburger is the author of the novel Nirvana Is Here, a story collection titled The View From Stalin's Head, which was awarded the Rome Prize by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and nominated for a Violet Quill Award, and a novel titled Faith For Beginners, nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. His latest novel is Hotel Cuba. In 2023, he was awarded the Jim Duggins PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize by Lambda Literary.
His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Village Voice, Tin House, Michigan Quarterly Review, Subtropics, Crazyhorse, Boulevard, Poets and Writers, Tablet, Out, Nerve, Time Out, Details, and The Forward. In addition, he has also won fellowships from Yaddo, Djerassi, the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, and the Edward F. Albee Foundation as well as first prize in the Dornstein Contest for Young Jewish Writers.
He has taught creative writing at Columbia University, the George Washington University, New York University, Brooklyn College, and the Stonecoast MFA Program.
Aaron enjoys talking with readers - to chat, find him now on Skolay: skolay.com/writers/aaron-hamburger
His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Village Voice, Tin House, Michigan Quarterly Review, Subtropics, Crazyhorse, Boulevard, Poets and Writers, Tablet, Out, Nerve, Time Out, Details, and The Forward. In addition, he has also won fellowships from Yaddo, Djerassi, the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, and the Edward F. Albee Foundation as well as first prize in the Dornstein Contest for Young Jewish Writers.
He has taught creative writing at Columbia University, the George Washington University, New York University, Brooklyn College, and the Stonecoast MFA Program.
Aaron enjoys talking with readers - to chat, find him now on Skolay: skolay.com/writers/aaron-hamburger
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 16, 2019
Apologies in advance for my lukewarm feelings toward this book, as literally every other review rated it four stars or above. I appreciated the author’s sensitive portrayal of the narrator’s struggle to recover from a sexual assault, including the narrator’s triggers, flashbacks, and difficulty with trusting other men. Aaron Hamburger’s incorporation of the protagonist’s Jewish identity also added an element of cultural complexity to the story. However, I found the rest of the book lacking. The dialogue felt stiff and the characters one-dimensional. The story focuses a lot on the protagonist, Ari, and his relationship with his friend Justin. Yet I never really understood the purpose of Ari’s relationship with Justin. By the end of the book I struggled to understand the relationship’s utility: did Ari grow from it at all? Were we supposed to take anything away from the relationship other than to avoid relationships with people who may be unable to commit because of their own uncertainty surrounding their sexual orientation? I also found the storyline that took place in the “present” unsatisfying, as the story did not delve much into Ari’s deeper emotions surrounding M – his ex-partner- and M’s betrayal and what it would feel like to see Justin again. Essentially, I wanted more psychological development and growth from Ari, rather than an emphasis on his relationship with Justin which did not make much of an impression on me.
July 5, 2019
Captivating...
A stunning replica of many people's lives Hamburger takes us on a journey through the eyes of Ari, our main character who tells us of his teen years long ago. Ari, now in his 40s, looks back on his teen years with joy and remorse, happiness and sorrow.
This is a very heartwarming coming-of-age novel that tugs on your heartstrings. Ari is a wonderful character and as we see the world through his eyes we find out that things aren't so cut-and-dry in our world. As many other victims of sexual assault will agree with me, this book was a little difficult but genuinely a good read.
The one thing that I really liked about this book was the flashbacks back to the 1990s and all of the references to movies and music and things of the time. It really made me look back on my childhood with nostalgia. And how the author was able to interweave the main storyline with that of the tragedy of Kurt Cobain was pretty ingenious.
Another thing I would like to add if I may be so candid, is that this was my very first LGBTQ book. I'm very proud to say that it was my first.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in a coming of age with a lot of nostalgia 😉
A stunning replica of many people's lives Hamburger takes us on a journey through the eyes of Ari, our main character who tells us of his teen years long ago. Ari, now in his 40s, looks back on his teen years with joy and remorse, happiness and sorrow.
This is a very heartwarming coming-of-age novel that tugs on your heartstrings. Ari is a wonderful character and as we see the world through his eyes we find out that things aren't so cut-and-dry in our world. As many other victims of sexual assault will agree with me, this book was a little difficult but genuinely a good read.
The one thing that I really liked about this book was the flashbacks back to the 1990s and all of the references to movies and music and things of the time. It really made me look back on my childhood with nostalgia. And how the author was able to interweave the main storyline with that of the tragedy of Kurt Cobain was pretty ingenious.
Another thing I would like to add if I may be so candid, is that this was my very first LGBTQ book. I'm very proud to say that it was my first.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in a coming of age with a lot of nostalgia 😉
June 3, 2019
It has taken me a while to get to this review, this is one of those books I cannot stop thinking about long after finishing. The story reads so true to life, and much of the subject through the story is a bit sad. Told in two perspectives, present day and past the MC Ari is currently going through a tough time with his soon to be ex-husband. During this time he finds his high school yearbook and that leads to the flashbacks to high school. In the past Ari endures something tragic. The author does an incredible job showing the depths of harm and how it effects Ari. I don't want to give the wrong impression, I also enjoyed Ari reminiscing on his good times which brought me back to my high school memories, and again the writing was so vivid and true to life, nothing overdone.
There was so much content in this story, another aspect for me was the Ari's being Jewish, I think that was how I originally found this story. His views and sense of belonging in the Jewish community, his original school, his friends as well as his perspective in his new school. The difficulties at the time period this was told from.
There was so much content in this story, another aspect for me was the Ari's being Jewish, I think that was how I originally found this story. His views and sense of belonging in the Jewish community, his original school, his friends as well as his perspective in his new school. The difficulties at the time period this was told from.
May 8, 2019
Told in two timelines, Ari as a third-person adult, and in first-person as a teenager, this searing coming-of-age novel tackles the fallout of sexual assault on a young Jewish teenager in suburban Detroit. Moved to a private school after Mark attacks him, Ari remains skittish and fraught with self-doubt and paranoia. His parents do their best to help him and understanding comes in a few surprising ways.
Being paired with Justin as a study partner helps open up his defenses, while a crush on his African American schoolmate grows. The usual awkwardness of his closeted life eases as Justin selectively shares his life with Ari, although not completely including him in his clique of 'cool' kids. He introduces the band Nirvana, and Ari's fear and internal frustrations find a fitting soundtrack, culminating in seeing the band live.
Ari's later adult reunion with straight married Justin takes on a lesser import, compared to the parallel problem of his ex-boyfriend/husband being caught up in a student harassment case. Later in the teen timeline, a few tense meetings with Mark his attacker take on a strange tone, not the vengeful return as many real-life victims might imagine or want. The teen chapters are blunt and chapters sometimes end abruptly; fitting for the narration of his own skittish behavior.
Details about the '90s, class differences and the Detroit area add to this new and captivating version of teenage angst tales written about by myself and similar authors. This is a welcome addition to the genre.
Being paired with Justin as a study partner helps open up his defenses, while a crush on his African American schoolmate grows. The usual awkwardness of his closeted life eases as Justin selectively shares his life with Ari, although not completely including him in his clique of 'cool' kids. He introduces the band Nirvana, and Ari's fear and internal frustrations find a fitting soundtrack, culminating in seeing the band live.
Ari's later adult reunion with straight married Justin takes on a lesser import, compared to the parallel problem of his ex-boyfriend/husband being caught up in a student harassment case. Later in the teen timeline, a few tense meetings with Mark his attacker take on a strange tone, not the vengeful return as many real-life victims might imagine or want. The teen chapters are blunt and chapters sometimes end abruptly; fitting for the narration of his own skittish behavior.
Details about the '90s, class differences and the Detroit area add to this new and captivating version of teenage angst tales written about by myself and similar authors. This is a welcome addition to the genre.
May 22, 2019
The bulk of NIH consists of a first-person coming-of-age tale focused on a clandestine interracial/interclass queer love affair, a violent sexual assault, and the redeeming power of grunge music, but there's a secondary timeline showing how the protagonist's teen traumas play out in his adult life. The book is quite long, but doesn't drag thanks to deft prose, flashes of wit, and engaging characters.
January 21, 2019
Wednesday, April 6th, 1994, I awoke in my London hotel room to find a note had been pushed under the door. "I won't be joining today's activities. My favorite singer just died and I can't cope." That was how I learned of Kurt Cobain's suicide. I was not a follower of Nirvana. Frankly I was too old, too square, too far removed from the modern music scene. I tell you this because I was quite a ways into Aaron Hamburger's newest novel before I realized that the title referred not to a spiritual state but rather to the quintessential grunge band. It speaks highly of Hamburger's writing skills that even though I have not faced the trauma his main character experienced, and cannot say that "Alternative" music speaks to me, I could relate deeply to Ari. From the beginning of the book, I felt I knew Ari personally; that he was telling my own story. Hamburger employs an interesting technique in recounting Ari's life. The book is divided between the 41-year-old Medieval History professor and the traumatized high school student struggling with his own sexual identity. Those sections of the "current" story are told in the third person, as if we are looking in at the adult Ari, while the teen-aged Ari tells his story in the first person. The catch phrase for the book comes almost at the end, although the theme has been lurking there since page 1. The adult Ari, considering his life, thinks "Life's an inherently dangerous business ... . These days, it seems like the art of survival depends on keeping one's mouth muzzled." (p. 369) As for me, I'm glad that Hamburger unmuzzled Ari. I want to know more of his adult life, where things go beyond the end of the book. And I want to read more, much more, of Aaron Hamburger. The book is scheduled to be released in May 2019. I received my "Advance Reader Copy" through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program and I'm happy to recommend the book and its author highly.
July 19, 2019
4.5 - I stumbled across this novel when searching for non-fiction about the band Nirvana. This immediately caught my eye because it combined things I typically enjoy in books, stories about people reflecting back on their past, dealing with living life in the aftermath of trauma, and using bands or music as a coping mechanism. This book deals with a some difficult topics, rape and sexual assault and growing up gay in the early 90s, but I think they’re all handled really well.
Before the start of the book Ari is raped by his neighbor and is now having to live his life while not feeling safe and having confusing feelings about his own sexuality. After he moves to a new school where nobody knows him or what happened, he meets a boy named Justin who introduces him to Nirvana. As a massive fan of Nirvana I loved seeing how their music helped Ari and how things Kurt talked about in interviews or liner notes, like about how rape is the worst crime or how homophobia has no place in their audience, resonated with Ari.
There’s also a storyline in the present day about how Ari’s ex-husband has been accused of sexually assaulting one of his college students and how Ari is going to see Justin again for the first time since high school. While this present day storyline is relevant because it leads into the story from the 90s, I didn’t find it quite as compelling as what was happening in the past. But it wasn’t a major drawback because those sections were much smaller.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’d definitely recommend it. Especially if you’re a fan of Nirvana or coming of age stories about gay teens
Before the start of the book Ari is raped by his neighbor and is now having to live his life while not feeling safe and having confusing feelings about his own sexuality. After he moves to a new school where nobody knows him or what happened, he meets a boy named Justin who introduces him to Nirvana. As a massive fan of Nirvana I loved seeing how their music helped Ari and how things Kurt talked about in interviews or liner notes, like about how rape is the worst crime or how homophobia has no place in their audience, resonated with Ari.
There’s also a storyline in the present day about how Ari’s ex-husband has been accused of sexually assaulting one of his college students and how Ari is going to see Justin again for the first time since high school. While this present day storyline is relevant because it leads into the story from the 90s, I didn’t find it quite as compelling as what was happening in the past. But it wasn’t a major drawback because those sections were much smaller.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’d definitely recommend it. Especially if you’re a fan of Nirvana or coming of age stories about gay teens
January 17, 2019
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy of this amazing book. Aaron Hamburger is my kind of writer: smart, funny, sensitive, and full of heart. I loved his previous novel, FAITH FOR BEGINNERS and his short story collection, THE VIEW FROM STALIN'S HEAD. I have also read many of his essays. In other words, I would follow this writer anywhere! NIRVANA IS HERE is a real page turner. Highly recommended!
April 26, 2019
ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This book really hit me in marvelous ways and I know I will never forget it, and I probably won't stop thinking about it for a long time. The description makes it seem like the book is about Ari as an adult, and honestly, as someone who's barely an adult and prefers YA novels or books about college kids, I was actually thinking of not reading this book at all. But when I realized that the majority of the book takes place from when Ari is a teenager, and the parts where Ari is an adult is very brief, which I very much enjoyed.
This book is intense almost from the very start. I admire Ari so much, and the fact that he had very little friends for quite some time in the beginning of the novel surprised me because he is definitely someone I'd want to be friends with. I think I'm actually similar to Ari in so many ways and he was just such a cool kid. Justin was also a favourite character of mine, along with Ari's dad who was just an Angel. The part of the novel where Ari is a teenager takes place over his four years of high school and I was so, so proud of him. You can feel Ari develop as a person over the course of the four years, and you slowly realize things like how in his first year of high school he had no friends, and then he has a group, and at first he's ashamed of being gay and then he's the one standing up for himself when his mom urges him to find a girlfriend, and he starts to stand his ground more. I was so so so happy for teen Ari.
But of course, Ari experienced something so traumatic, and I think the book does an amazing job at showing that even as Ari grows up and learns to be more comfortable in his skin, he must suffer from some sort of PTSD (it isn't stated in the book but the symptoms are there). Just because he's now an adult with his own life, doesn't mean he feels safe when a group of teenage boys approach his house and that's so understandable. And I love how he always reminds himself that he's safe because it shows that recovering from something so emotional is not linear and takes years and years of practice and I am so proud of him.
I didn't care about the plot with M at all. It was so small in my opinion, that it either had to be cut out completely or expanded a lot, and at the point, I don't care if it was edited out completely. I also didn't care about Adult Ari as much as I cared about Teen Ari and ultimately, the Justin and Ari situation in Adult Ari's point of view let me down a bit. In my mind, Ari and Justin were going to have that Moonlight moment where they reunite as adults and hold each other and reunite. I understand why it didn't happen, but the fact that it didn't just makes me a bit sad. I want to know more about Justin, but I guess at the end of the day there are just people in your life who meant a lot to you and left without closure, without talking about it, without figuring out why, and that's life. I thought it was amazing that Ari came full circle, and the novel ended with Ari opening his door for the boy. It was so wholesome and heartwarming, as was the whole novel. I loved it so much.
This book really hit me in marvelous ways and I know I will never forget it, and I probably won't stop thinking about it for a long time. The description makes it seem like the book is about Ari as an adult, and honestly, as someone who's barely an adult and prefers YA novels or books about college kids, I was actually thinking of not reading this book at all. But when I realized that the majority of the book takes place from when Ari is a teenager, and the parts where Ari is an adult is very brief, which I very much enjoyed.
This book is intense almost from the very start. I admire Ari so much, and the fact that he had very little friends for quite some time in the beginning of the novel surprised me because he is definitely someone I'd want to be friends with. I think I'm actually similar to Ari in so many ways and he was just such a cool kid. Justin was also a favourite character of mine, along with Ari's dad who was just an Angel. The part of the novel where Ari is a teenager takes place over his four years of high school and I was so, so proud of him. You can feel Ari develop as a person over the course of the four years, and you slowly realize things like how in his first year of high school he had no friends, and then he has a group, and at first he's ashamed of being gay and then he's the one standing up for himself when his mom urges him to find a girlfriend, and he starts to stand his ground more. I was so so so happy for teen Ari.
But of course, Ari experienced something so traumatic, and I think the book does an amazing job at showing that even as Ari grows up and learns to be more comfortable in his skin, he must suffer from some sort of PTSD (it isn't stated in the book but the symptoms are there). Just because he's now an adult with his own life, doesn't mean he feels safe when a group of teenage boys approach his house and that's so understandable. And I love how he always reminds himself that he's safe because it shows that recovering from something so emotional is not linear and takes years and years of practice and I am so proud of him.
I didn't care about the plot with M at all. It was so small in my opinion, that it either had to be cut out completely or expanded a lot, and at the point, I don't care if it was edited out completely. I also didn't care about Adult Ari as much as I cared about Teen Ari and ultimately, the Justin and Ari situation in Adult Ari's point of view let me down a bit. In my mind, Ari and Justin were going to have that Moonlight moment where they reunite as adults and hold each other and reunite. I understand why it didn't happen, but the fact that it didn't just makes me a bit sad. I want to know more about Justin, but I guess at the end of the day there are just people in your life who meant a lot to you and left without closure, without talking about it, without figuring out why, and that's life. I thought it was amazing that Ari came full circle, and the novel ended with Ari opening his door for the boy. It was so wholesome and heartwarming, as was the whole novel. I loved it so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2019
I think I loved this book more than I should haha. It’s a coming-of-age story but I strongly related to the multiple layers of identity the main character experienced. Being gay but unsure who else is, trapped by toxic masculinity, at the same time balancing faith and religion, and then music subcultures come into the mix. The otherness he feels is captured in the music he listens to, but then the people who like that music - the “alternative” scene - comes with all its own complexities.
Felt like I was reliving parts of my own teenage years. So even if it is cheesy or predictable in places, I couldn’t not give it 5 stars.
Felt like I was reliving parts of my own teenage years. So even if it is cheesy or predictable in places, I couldn’t not give it 5 stars.
September 15, 2019
There was a lot I did enjoy about this book: the flashbacks to Ari’s teenage years, 90s alternative culture, and the important issues brought up (sexual assault, sexuality, race, class). But I’m left feeling unsure about Ari’s growth and confused about his relationship with Justin. The ending fell flat for me.
September 9, 2019
“You let me know when you figure out what you’re thinking, instead of trying to guess what I’m thinking.”
I think that line could be the mantra for the main character in this book, Ari...and for most anyone striving for self acceptance. The growth of Ari is inspiring, and, as someone who writes stories, so is the Hamburger's writing. Nirvana Is Here is crisp, makes you want to begin the next chapter even if you'd decided to stop reading for the day, and includes a voice that calmly rises and falls with Ari's age and maturation. How did Hamburger write this book in such a way that you just know the narrator is 16, or just know the narrator is 17? Such a tiny difference in time, but a big difference for adolescent boys, and I could feel that in the writing. What a remarkable feat.
December 31, 2019
While reading this, it’s vulnerability was so real I would forgot it wasn’t a memoir. Nirvana is here is an important exposure of masculinity and picture of growth that is not easy or clean.
Petty, but I didn’t like the on the nose chapter titles.
Petty, but I didn’t like the on the nose chapter titles.
June 11, 2019
Just finished reading and what an amazing reading experience! This book was not only truly engaging but very inspiring as you follow the main character, Ari, on his courageous journey through adolescence into adulthood. Aaron's writing beautifully incorporates so many societal issues that are still prevalent today. Though heartbreaking at times, the author was able to cleverly instill humor during some of the most sensitive moments. Looking forward to more books by this talented author.
February 5, 2019
For me, Aaron Hamburger is one of those writers that you follow just as you would a beloved musician...loyally counting down the days till their next release and savoring every new note. His writing has that quality you'd look for in good music too--the words rhythmic, beautiful and heartful, but also distinctly his own. I've yet to find a writer who captures humor and wit as unpretentiously as Hamburger. Suffice it to say that I am a huge fan of his previous novels and essays, but what set NIRVANA IS HERE apart for me was the originality, the way he so effortlessly transported the reader between two distinct timelines and settings, and how he bridged the divide. I did not grow up as a gay teenager in 1990s Detroit, but I'd like to think I truly know that worldview a little bit more now because of Hamburger's deft hand.
A wonderfully written book.
A wonderfully written book.
January 23, 2019
As a fan of Hamburger's earlier books—The View From Stalin's Head and Faith For Beginners—I was excited to read his latest novel. What an amazing read! Parts of it are devastating and downright crushing, but Hamburger does a heavenly job of generating love and tenderness for Ari, the protagonist, which ultimately makes it a joyful, provoking, and powerful reading experience. This is a coming of age book for people of all ages or anyone engaged in the daily grind of making sense of the past. Without spoiling the story's ending, let me say that there's something almost prophetic about the author using the 90s as the story's backdrop as if he is cleverly telling his readers a painful and surprising truth about trauma and how it lingers.
August 6, 2019
The main character, Ari, is such a sympathetic character that you can’t help but fall in love with him. I enjoyed seeing his growth throughout this coming of age story, but the adult Ari also continues to grow.
It’s one thing to intellectually “understand” the challenges a young gay person faces, but reading about this witty novel made me think much deeper about those challenges as I experienced them through Ari’s eyes. The whole Jewish experience and sexual assault adds yet more layers of complexity to the story. I enjoyed Ari’s development and how he gradually found his voice. I cheered each wisecrack and wardrobe change he made. An eye opening, startling story with much wisdom. Highly recommended.
It’s one thing to intellectually “understand” the challenges a young gay person faces, but reading about this witty novel made me think much deeper about those challenges as I experienced them through Ari’s eyes. The whole Jewish experience and sexual assault adds yet more layers of complexity to the story. I enjoyed Ari’s development and how he gradually found his voice. I cheered each wisecrack and wardrobe change he made. An eye opening, startling story with much wisdom. Highly recommended.
January 17, 2019
I was fortunate to catch a glimpse of Nirvana is Here: A Novel before the official publication date, and I am glad that everyone now has the chance to read this wonderful book. Aaron Hamburger is an exceptional writer. There is a warmth of his characters, and he has the ability to really put the reader in the scene. He can also make you laugh--and cry. Highly recommended.
May 31, 2019
Children of the 80’s and 90’s, this book takes you through the angst and neuroses of the grunge era, a post-Stonewall, pre-gay marriage, era in which it started to become cool to be gay. Ari is a very likable nerd, a gay Woody Allen who is afraid of his own shadow. You’ll enjoy this book!
April 23, 2021
I've read Aaron Hamburger before (Faith for Beginners) and enjoyed it. This novel didn't disappoint. Nirvana refers to the band and the way Hamburger weaves Kurt Cobain into the novel is powerful. I also appreciate the change in voice Hamburger uses for the main character. Thought provoking.
July 6, 2023
Still humming several Nirvana hits after finishing this novel. If you like pop culture, the early 90s, alternative/grunge, LGBTQIA+ stories, this is a book for you.
January 20, 2019
This is a very well done queer coming of age book. I especially enjoyed Ari’s discovery of music, and of course his love of Nirvana in particular. This felt like a slice of my own growing-up-story.
The main focus of the book is Ari’s teenage years, with shorter glimpses of his 40 year old self. From the blurb I was expecting more of his later self, but I ended up loving the book as it was.
I received an ARC from the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. There was a bit of awkward prose at the beginning and some grammatical issues throughout, but I’m sure they’ll be worked out in the editing process before the book is released in May.
The main focus of the book is Ari’s teenage years, with shorter glimpses of his 40 year old self. From the blurb I was expecting more of his later self, but I ended up loving the book as it was.
I received an ARC from the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. There was a bit of awkward prose at the beginning and some grammatical issues throughout, but I’m sure they’ll be worked out in the editing process before the book is released in May.
June 22, 2019
Nirvana is Here is a profound coming-of-age novel centering around a gay Jewish teen who must navigate high school while dealing with past trauma. To aid his understanding of the world, he leans heavily on music, specifically Nirvana, and he falls hard in love with a boy at school. I can safely say I've never read a story with this specific recipe of LGBTQIA+ issues, sexual trauma, and a sprinkling of religion and family dynamics. The prose is refreshing and humorous, but it is also deeply personal and heartwrenching. The main character's love of Nirvana strongly reminded me of my own obsession with pop-punk band My Chemical Romance when I was the same age. Music really does make growing up easier. I very much enjoyed the switch between the narrator's past and his present. It made for a great momentum while reading. Definitely a hard one to put down!
January 31, 2019
Nirvana is Here is a wonderfully written, funny, profound, and, at times, terrifying book. It delivers intellectual and emotional seriousness through a kind of lightness and playfulness that only a writer of the quality of Hamburger can deliver. I have to say that I was transported back to my high school days--a world of cassette tapes, music that "mattered," and a culture of rampant and unapologetic homophobia. And lurking behind this culture (any culture) of intolerance is horrific violence, causing trauma that has yet to heal and perhaps never fully can. Hamburger's book is important.
July 27, 2020
A well crafted and wonderful coming of age story set amongst the mid to late 90’s.
I suppose I identified with this more so because this was my time and my same coming of age. There were things I couldn’t identify with in the book but those paled in comparison to the things I did hold dear.
Ari is your quintessential 90’s teen dealing with some severe sexual trauma. The young infatuation you experience when you meet a kindred spirit was so close to home.
I would recommend this LGBT coming of age novel to any child of this time.
I suppose I identified with this more so because this was my time and my same coming of age. There were things I couldn’t identify with in the book but those paled in comparison to the things I did hold dear.
Ari is your quintessential 90’s teen dealing with some severe sexual trauma. The young infatuation you experience when you meet a kindred spirit was so close to home.
I would recommend this LGBT coming of age novel to any child of this time.
February 17, 2019
I was glad to get an advanced copy of this tremendous novel. This was a powerful, absorbing read that I could not put down. I loved the characters, felt as if they were people I knew, but beyond that, the writing line-by-line was skilled, precise, and poetic. The issues in the book, like #metoo and race, are timely, but at the heart it's a genuine and affecting story that pulled me in and kept me reading. Highly recommend!
January 22, 2019
I was lucky enough to read Nirvana is Here early on. How fortunate for all of us that this timely novel can now reach the larger audience it so deserves. Hamburger is unflinchingly honest, his characters utterly believable, and his prose both rich and beautiful. Hats off to one of our finest writers for this powerful new work.
May 26, 2019
I bought this book at 2 PM on Saturday and finished it at 1 AM. I loved the characters, the scenes, the tension, the release as Ari grows into himself.
My one knock is that this book had SO many copy editing issues. Seriously—a shonda.
My one knock is that this book had SO many copy editing issues. Seriously—a shonda.
April 17, 2019
A powerful novel—Forthcoming from Three Rooms Press, NIRVANA IS HERE discusses fitting in, homophobia, and the lifelong implications of trauma. It's a sharp, surprisingly funny book, and I think it's going to be very big.
January 18, 2019
Aaron Hamburger always does such a wonderful job of conveying genuine human emotion with his unique blend of humor and pathos and this novel is no exception! I’m so glad I was able to get an advanced copy of this novel and I can’t wait for others to discover it as well!
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