The Nest: A Novel

By Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

A wickedly smart, funny and deeply felt debut novel about four adult siblings and the fate of their long depended-upon family inheritance

On a wintry afternoon in New York City, Melody, Beatrice and Jack Plumb gather to confront their charismatic and reckless older brother, Leo, who has just been released from rehab. Leo’s bad behavior before entering rehab, culminating in a car crash while under the influence—a nineteen-year-old waitress beside him—has left the Plumbs’ joint trust fund—“The Nest,” as they’ve taken to calling it—endangered. All four siblings, at very different places in their lives, believe that this money will solve a host of self-inflicted problems and their consequences. And until Leo’s accident, they’d been mere months away from receiving it.

Can Leo get the Plumbs out of this mess, as he’s always been able to do for himself before? Or will the Plumb siblings have to do without the money and the future lives they’ve envisioned? As the siblings grapple with family tensions, old histories, and the significant emotional and financial cost of the accident, Sweeney introduces an unforgettable cast of supporting characters: Leo’s stalwart ex-girlfriend who now thinks that maybe, just maybe, he is capable of change; the waitress whose life was shattered in the accident; the Iraqi war veteran who falls in love with her; and a retired, grieving firefighter with a very big secret.

Tender, funny and deftly written, The Nest explores what money does to relationships, what happens to our ambitions over the course of our lives, and the fraught but unbreakable ties we have with our families.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781443445252

Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney is the author of the instant New York Times bestselling novels The Nest (named a best book of the year by People, the Washington Post, and NPR) and Good Company (a Read with Jenna selection). She has been a guest on Today, Late Night with Seth Meyers and NPR’s All Things Considered. Her work has been translated into more than twenty-eight languages, and The Nest is in development as a limited series with AMC Studios. Sweeney holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars. She and her husband live in New York City.

Reviews for The Nest

[kristi_test_02 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I've been excited to read this book for a while now, based solely on the cover design. I had no idea what it was about. In the end, I gave it two stars, which based on my rating scale, means it was not for me, but you might like it. It was a quick read.

I think the main reason I didn't give the book a higher rating is because I really didn't enjoy any of the characters. They were all, with maybe the exception of Bea, selfish and self-centered. That's not to say that selfish, terrible people can't be well-written and enjoyable, but these just weren't. None of them had anything special going on, or any really defining characteristics. (And this is just a personal pet peeve of mine, but OMG, the bland, boring character names made it impossible to remember who was who. Jack, Paul, Walker, Walter [yes, really], Nora, Louisa, Maggie, Melody... even when I was three-quarters of the way through the book, I had to keep reminding myself who each person was.

The plot itself was fine, but it felt like a lot of fuss over nothing. So Leo blew the money. Oh no! Now Melody's kids might have to go to a state school. Jack was irresponsible with the money he does have, and now he and Walter (Walker? I don't remember which one he was married to) might lose their summer house.

Seriously, these were the MAJOR PROBLEMS that the family faced. And then those problems were solved in about two sentences when Bea offered to share her money with her siblings, and they both immediately accepted. Problems solved!

Jack is an addict, which is an actual problem and could have really been explored more, but it wasn't. He got Stephanie pregnant then disappeared, but it was cool because she makes tons of money and really prefers to be a single mom anyway, so NBD. Like, that would be an actual major problem for the majority of people in the US, but nah, it's played out and wrapped up in a couple of pages, and life goes on!

There was nothing wrong with the writing. It was a quick read and I only considered abandoning it once or twice, but decided to stick it out because overall it had good reviews.

[loranne_test_01 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I've been excited to read this book for a while now, based solely on the cover design. I had no idea what it was about. In the end, I gave it two stars, which based on my rating scale, means it was not for me, but you might like it. It was a quick read.

I think the main reason I didn't give the book a higher rating is because I really didn't enjoy any of the characters. They were all, with maybe the exception of Bea, selfish and self-centered. That's not to say that selfish, terrible people can't be well-written and enjoyable, but these just weren't. None of them had anything special going on, or any really defining characteristics. (And this is just a personal pet peeve of mine, but OMG, the bland, boring character names made it impossible to remember who was who. Jack, Paul, Walker, Walter [yes, really], Nora, Louisa, Maggie, Melody... even when I was three-quarters of the way through the book, I had to keep reminding myself who each person was.

The plot itself was fine, but it felt like a lot of fuss over nothing. So Leo blew the money. Oh no! Now Melody's kids might have to go to a state school. Jack was irresponsible with the money he does have, and now he and Walter (Walker? I don't remember which one he was married to) might lose their summer house.

Seriously, these were the MAJOR PROBLEMS that the family faced. And then those problems were solved in about two sentences when Bea offered to share her money with her siblings, and they both immediately accepted. Problems solved!

Jack is an addict, which is an actual problem and could have really been explored more, but it wasn't. He got Stephanie pregnant then disappeared, but it was cool because she makes tons of money and really prefers to be a single mom anyway, so NBD. Like, that would be an actual major problem for the majority of people in the US, but nah, it's played out and wrapped up in a couple of pages, and life goes on!

There was nothing wrong with the writing. It was a quick read and I only considered abandoning it once or twice, but decided to stick it out because overall it had good reviews.

[blogbrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars

Original idea, great reader, rushed ending, uneven writing.

[jmlibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

***SPOILERS***This novel will remind you what is really important in life. A bunch of weak and/or hateful siblings stop obsessing about money, write off the most hateful weak/hateful sibling (who, naturally, is the most rich, powerful, and good looking sibling) and cobble together an extended family that works and is actually healthy for the next generation and each other.

[mbecken-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had very high hopes for this book, especially due to all the publicity and reviews I had seen leading up to it's release. I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as I thought I would; perhaps my expectations were a little unrealistic. I wasn't completely blown away, and it wasn't a book that I stayed up all night reading, but I don't necessarily have anything negative to say either. I enjoyed the plot twists but I also thought there were a couple plot lines that would've been really interesting if they were more fully developed. I liked that the protagonists were flawed which made them much more relatable. I would recommend this to people who don't mind a slower pace and alternating narrators.

[erika.d · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am a sucker for a fictional story taking place in New York City! I also adore stories that involve multiple characters who all connect in some way. This book had both and I loved it! I thought I wouldn't be able to relate to the characters since they are wealthy high society New Yorkers but it felt like a Modern Family episode and everyone can relate to money problems and family issues! Very fast paced and just the right amount of detail to draw you into the typical New York lifestyle and scene. I appreciate how the author brought up issues in parenting, dating, motherhood, sibling rivalry, career choices and money problems. Each character connected in some way and had their own problems to deal with but I loved how while they all were depending on money to solve their issues, they used other means and resources to get through the difficulties and overcome. Money isn't everything but family is! Great read, great ending and highly recommended.

[lburman-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was okay. It was lacking a major story-line punch. The characters seemed to be orbiting in their own worlds without much interaction. Leo, one of the main characters was just too narcissistic. Never really cared for most of the characters.

[bogopea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A dysfunctional, upper class family in NYC in current day. Four siblings lose their soon to be received inheritance from their father after their mother spends it all to correct the mistake of one of them. All but one had plans for the money and were in serious debt, knowing that the windfall would be coming soon. The story is told from several perspectives and each main character is well-developed. On the whole, they seem spoiled, living beyond their means and just not nice people. The story did keep me reading but the ending was a huge disappointment. It ended like a fairy tale, all problems solved, everyone happy and not at all realistic.

[eadieb-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I would have to say that this book is not for everyone. It's about the Plumbs who are a crazy and dysfunctional family waiting until the youngest is 40 so they can inherit their nest of money. I found the siblings to be well-developed characters that are very believable but also very flawed. They lie, cheat and steal but you still find yourself wondering what will happen to each of them. There is a lot of dark humor and lots of surprises along the way that keep you interested. I can really see a movie in the making from this book. As I have said in the beginning of my review, these shallow characters are not for everyone but if you love family sagas, then I suggest you give it a try. I would definitely look to read more from this author, as I found this debut interesting. What I have taken away from this book is: In the end, you just have to accept your family for who and what they are.

[imperfectcj · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I read Daphne du Maurier's "Monte Verita" yesterday. In that story, there's a passage that reads: "I have a theory that each man's life is like a pack of cards, and those we meet and sometimes love are shuffled with us. We find ourselves in the same suit, held by the hand of Fate. The game is played, we are discarded, and pass on."With all of the circling back and interwoven lives, I suspect D'Aprix Sweeney was going for this kind of effect, but du Maurier works it better. D'Aprix Sweeney uses too many words with too much overused language to describe things. The novel feels too labored for me to really enjoy it.I didn't think I would finish this one---there are so many chapters---but against all odds, I made it to the end, including the epilogue even though I'm coming to believe that epilogues are largely gratuitous.This novel is about a bunch of people from New York City who make bad, selfish decisions, are petulant when no one wants to bail them out, and then experience individual and collective sort-of awakenings that make for a saccharin ending. I see what other reviewers were talking about when they said the ending was cliched.The audiobook was basically eleven hours of annoying people whining about their lives. There were a couple of characters I liked, but for the most part I didn't care at all what happened to these people. The best thing they could do but won't because they wouldn't want to risk ending up somewhere that didn't have artisanal cocktails would be to get the heck out of New York and out of their own heads and see another part of the world, or at least another part of the country. Seriously, just go to the Midwest or somewhere where you can stop thinking you're the center of the universe. After this novel, I might have to swear off novels set in NYC for a good while.

[trayceetee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a book I've seen circulating a lot since it was released in May, 2016. It sounded pretty interesting, so I checked it out. I was pleasantly surprised that it was even better than I'd expected!I love the dynamic between the Plumb siblings! I can see similarities in the members of my own family, as well as in those of other families I know. Granted, the Plumbs have a far different background from mine, growing up privileged in New York, while I grew up very middle-middle class in the Midwest. Still, there's something about the way these siblings interact with each other and with their mother, in one-on-one situations, in a gathering of just a few, or when they are all together. I've come to notice that in my own relationships, as I've gotten older. Sometimes, it's almost palpable, the tension or strain that is automatically present in certain circumstances. The author, Sweeney, really nails the various personalities of the key characters. I feel like I actually know each person in the story, and I really grew to care about each one individually.

[auntieg0412 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Usually I have absolutely no patience with whiny, self-absorbed, or rash and reckless characters (either real or fictional, lol). They get on my very last nerve, and have been responsible for more than one book being relegated to my DNF shelf. I began reading The Nest only because it’s on a reading challenge in which I am participating, and I admit I had nothing but negative expectations going in.

Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying it. Even though many of the characters are whiny, self-absorbed or rash and reckless. Sweeney wrote them in such a way that they didn’t get on my nerves -- I could actually feel sympathy for some of them, and yes, even kinda liked a few. A couple of times characters popped up out of nowhere, it seemed, and I thought the story was getting a bit disjointed. But those characters were indeed there for a purpose, and Sweeney tied it all together very nicely in the end.

The Nest is good, solid entertainment and I am happy I read it.

[missyivey · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Originally published in 2016.New York Times best seller list? Really? I don't think so! A dysfunctional family fighting over an inheritance. This was just too predictable to be of any interest. I see it has been optioned as a film. Maybe that would be more interesting...maybe.

[nwieme-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I didn't think I'd like this book about a dysfunctional group of characters, but it redeemed itself and I found myself interested in getting to the end just to see how it would play out.

[booklove2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked this one about as much as I expected. This had to reach much higher heights of hilarity for me to be a book I could possibly like about annoying siblings worrying about their inheritance. But even with an Amy Poehler blurb on the cover, I'm not sure this book was even reaching for funny. One of the siblings makes a life altering mistake and their mother makes the other three siblings pay for it when the money from their trust is almost drained. An ensuing story about what family owes family. The writing is breezy in an uncomplicated way. But that also meant nothing was that interesting to make me re-read great sentences. Seemed like it was full of cluttered inconsequential boring details. At least the ending seemed accurate for some of these characters. Overall, this was just okay. At least it was speedily readable? But that is probably because the previous book I finished was one of the most dense/complicated books I have read in a while.

[nuigurumi-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Leonard Plumb Sr. hat etwas Geld in einem Treuhandfonds für seine vier Kinder angelegt. Auf Englisch nennt man so ein finanzielles Polster für schlechte Zeiten "nest egg" und schon bald war dieser Fonds für seine Familie nur noch "das Nest". Eigentlich war es ein eher bescheidener Betrag, aber er konnte den Immobilienboom nach seinem Tod ja nicht voraussehen und hatte auch einen sehr umsichtigen Treuhandverwalter ausgesucht, so dass seine Kinder nun viel mehr Geld erwarten können, als er geplant hatte. Er wollte nie, dass sich seine Kinder auf den zukünftigen Geldsegen verlassen, sondern sich alles selbst erarbeiten, daher soll das Geld auch erst nach dem 40. Geburtstag von Melody, der Jüngsten, an alle verteilt werden.Melodys 40. Geburtstag naht. Wie ihre drei Geschwister Leo, Bea und Jack braucht sie das Geld dringend. Doch dann benutzt ihre Mutter das Geld aus dem "Nest", um Leo zu helfen, der sich in ernst zu nehmende Schwierigkeiten gebracht hat. Vereint in der Sorge um ihr Geld fangen die Geschwister wieder an zu kommunizieren und sich zu treffen…Ich habe das Buch mit einiger Skepsis begonnen, da ich mir nicht vorstellen konnte, wie Gezanke um Geld unter Geschwistern lesenswert sein könnte. Die ersten Seiten haben meine Bedenken dann erst mal verstärkt, weil die vier Geschwister alle nicht besonders sympathisch sind und den typischen New Yorker Lebenswandel zu haben schienen. Doch ich hatte nicht mit dem Schreibtalent der Autorin gerechnet. Sie hat mich in die Geschichte und das Familienleben hineingezogen und ich kam nicht wieder heraus!Beim ersten Treffen der Geschwister verspricht Leo, sich etwas einfallen zu lassen, damit das "Nest" bis zu Melodys Geburtstag vier Monate später wieder aufgefüllt ist. Leo ist der Älteste und die anderen drei wollen ihm glauben und vertrauen – obwohl sie ihn dafür eigentlich zu gut kennen – und sie hoffen und schieben ihre Geldsorgen vor sich her. Dabei lernt der Leser alle vier Geschwister besser kennen, ihre aktuelle Lebenssituation und wie sich ihr Leben entwickelt hat, und fragt sich, was Leo wohl tun wird und welche Auswege es für die anderen drei gibt.Am Ende hatte ich fast alle Charaktere irgendwie liebgewonnen, egal wie verkorkst sie waren, und war richtig traurig, dass das Buch zu Ende war. "Das Nest" ist eine interessante Familiengeschichte über die Beziehung zwischen Geschwistern und die Autorin erzählt so, dass man als Leser den Eindruck hat, mittendrin zu sein. Die Atmosphäre und die Denkweisen sind sehr amerikanisch, darauf muss man sich einstellen.Da ich intelligente, gut geschriebene Familiengeschichten sehr mag, hat mir das Buch sehr gut gefallen und ich hoffe, dass die Autorin weitere Bücher schreiben wird.

[marthajeanne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yes, totally dysfunctional family, but somehow the book works, and most of them even figure out how to have a life.

[jmc400m · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An enjoyable jaunt through the lives of some interesting characters who are larger than life but somehow believable. NYC as a backdrop is critical to the story as some of the characters could only exist in such a city. Entertaining read.

[auldhouse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Perfect summer-family-drama-new york city read.

[smits_52 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written portrait of a family in all its glory and disfunctionality. Each one of the 4 Plump siblings are very human, easy to like and to relate to in some way or another. A great read.!!

[marquis784-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting read.
There is no one word to explain the story. This story explains the complicated relationships amongst families, in particular Leo Plumb. The effects of one person can dramatically alter the lives of those around him.
"He'd been itching to get them all together in one room and try to make a tiny inroad into facilitating some kind of agreement about the infernal sum of money they still insisted on calling The Nest, which drove Walker mad."
"Aside from being infantile, he couldn't fathom how a group of adults could use the term in apparent earnestness and never even casually contemplate the twisted metaphor of the thing, and how it relates to their dysfunctional behavior as individuals and a group."

[amandanan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love a good dysfunctional family story. This one was packed full of it. I didn’t think I’d read it as fast as I did, but I definitely couldn’t wait to find out what was happening with each character.

[janismack · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a cornovirous book. I had a hard time concentrating on reading so this was an easy read that suited me well. The 4 siblings of a family are waiting till the youngest turns 40 so they can all get their inheritance. The oldest sibling has stolen the inheritance and the story revolves around the other 3 siblings trying to find him.

[jonimfisher · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not my kind of story. Only one minor character likable and the story felt episodic.

[valerieandbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lots of first-world problems amongst this dysfunctional family, but I liked this novel! Good writing. More characters than I expected, but the author didn‘t allow this to sprawl. I kind of hope there will be a sequel to this novel.

[far2manybooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting premise of how familial relationships change because of money, how expectations change people's choices, how people adjust when expectations are completely blown up.

To these siblings, losing "The Nest" egg was very similar to the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

[beth.clarke · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The perfect book to read on summer vacation. I connected with the dysfunctional family and found some parts so witty, I laughed aloud. I generally don't like quick, predictable books, but this had more which appealed to me. The many POVs made the writing interesting and catching small things the author was able to weave into the storyline (The Gift of the Magi nod) made me smile. Although it didn't move quickly, I couldn't put it down. I'll be recommending this book all summer.

[mojomomma_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Four odd siblings squabble over their inheritance that their mother spent to buy off the victim of a car accident that was caused by her second oldest, ne-er-do-well son.

[kakadoo202 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Cannot connect with characters

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I first began this book, I was not sure that I was going to enjoy it. The family is quite dysfunctional. However, each of the four siblings and their families and their struggles make them endearing. You want to read about them and find out how they will get through the issues in their lives. This book is a guilty pleasure. It reminded me of some of the books of the late 70s in the early 80s by Judith Krantz. I understand why this book is very popular.