The Hack

I loved it. Thrilling, gripping and full of moments of tense and acute insight into humanity and what drives us.

Read the first 10 pages and the language is so atrocious. I would never finish or enjoy this book. The curse, swear words are not necessary but then this author may not be able to talk if he is denied those words. I would give it 0 stars if I could.....

From the description it sounded like a good read but that’s not my experience.

Max is all over the place and I was ready for this based on the description but I seriously couldn’t keep up. Half the time I didn’t know how things applied to the story and I really struggled to stay in the story. If Max’s inner monologue was reeled in a bit, maybe that would have made it easier for me to read.

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of The Hack in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lewd, crass, bold, poignant, evocative.... simply brilliant!! Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev certainly knows how to capture a reader. The Hack is written in true Holden Caufield-esque style, crude, narcissistic language and all. I think I even detected a slight nod to 1984.

Max McMillan, mega famous literary genius, only loves four people: Jack, his wife Jane, and their two young children, Lucy and Nathan. Max really @#$%#^ hates cancer. Jane is dying from cancer, and Max is an asshole.

I'll say this first, if you are opposed to foul language, move on. This is not the book for you. Depending on how the foul language is used in a book, it typically does not offend me. My first impression of The Hack made me think of The Catcher in the Rye's Holden Caulfield. I was immediately amused by the thought, "Holy crap! This is Holden all grown up!!" Max's inflections and stories he tells throughout the whole book are outrageous and implausible, but his running rude commentary on society is pretty spot on. His narcissism knows no bounds and it's hysterical! But he speaks the naked truth about himself, too. You can't help but love the guy.

I hope Mikheyev didn't really mean it when he said this is his least favorite novel he has written. I think he has written a hilarious bold metaphor for today's social climate.

I don't even know what to say. The book is about a narcissist, full of himself, writer. He does have very brief moments of almost being human. The best part of the entire book was probably the last, last chapter. Other than then that I just had to get through it.

Max McMillen is a world class writer. People fawn on him everywhere he goes. His books are legendary. This might be true except this author heavily laces his narrative with profanity when it is not needed. Therefore, I feel the book is best described as a journey into crudity and profanity. Yes, life can be very difficult and disease and relationships are hard but constant profanity only serves to darken any insight into oblivion.

There is some humanity as the book progresses because of Max’s sympathy for a friend and his family who are battling with cancer in the family. The book deals with these issues with a sympathetic tone at times but then the graphic nature of the writing takes even the gift of humanity out of the novel. 3.5 stars rounded down CE Williams Net Galley

The anti hero is a very interesting protagonist when done right. But it's a delicate balance. It's a balance that this book doesn't quite get right.

Max McMllan, the main character, is a self hating successful author. He is unhappy in his life, but that doesn't stop him from doing good deeds. To me, an anti hero who does good deeds just for the sake of doing them is the best kind. But Max does his good deeds very consciously as a way to right the perceived injustice his presence causes in the world.

The story regarding him stealing and publishing his friend's book is inteesting, but ultimately unaffecting. Same with the love story with Jess.

I can't recommend this book, but I'm definitely going to keep Moses Mikheyev on my list of authors to watch for. He has a real way with words, and I'm confident that he will write a great book soon.

I couldn't finish this book. I think I got about 20% in and just couldn't take it anymore. I felt like I was wasting time for no good reason and reading a book for enjoyment should never feel like a waste of time.
The main character was so full of himself that it was off-putting. He couldn't complete a sentence without interrupting it with some rambling, non-nonsensical thought that left me wondering exactly what point he was trying to make. He was all over the place and I just couldn't get the gist of the book. I wish that I had something positive to say about it, but sadly I don't. I can't recommend this book because I can't think of anyone who would stick with it long enough to see the end result.

A man convinced of his own place on the higher rungs of humanities ladder, the fictional author this story revolves around has a very jaded opinion of everyone else. The language is a little over the top, but it fits the character and his daily interactions with those he loathes most. When this outrageous excuse for a man finds that one of the very few people he considers his peer has cancer and the prognosis is not good, he must step outside his self centered lifestyle and actually think of someone else. The consequences are pretty entertaining. This book is not for everyone. The language alone will turn off some readers and the way the story unwinds will have you turning back pages to see what you missed, but stick with it....the story and the characters are redeemed in the end.

The narcissistic, self-centered, arrogant Max McMillan has a lot to say about his life, his friends, and especially his sexual pursuits. He is rich, entitled, and loyal to his friends. The language used in this book is rough, but it does help the reader to understand Max. The story, despite some meandering, kept my attention and all turned out well in the end.

I have never read a book that is such garbage. I can usually find one good thing to say but this is not the case reading THE HACK...and yes this writer is a hack. His grammar, punctuation and sentence structure is abhorrent and the words he uses most are offensive and not necessary. The only thing we learn in this book is that the writer is a narcissistic and has no concern for anyone but himself and his self induced importance. I can't even give this book a one star and it is my opinion that this book was a waste of ink and paper.
The fact that he tells his readers to F off if they don't like his way of writing should have told me to stop at that point but I wanted to be fair so I read on and on and on ad-nauseam.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to preview this book on Net Galley. It is a style and genre I don't often read so it took me a bit to get into the rhythm of the writing. At times Max's stream of consciousness ramblings were overwhelming but once I got used to them I found it to be a really good way to really get to know the character and he became very likeable.
I very much enjoyed this book.

This is a satirically written story about a famous and rich author and his friendship with an unpublished writer. While it’s a quick read, it’s also all over the place and sometimes rather strange. There’s a lot of swearing, which was to be expected so it didn’t really bother me, however all the repetitions of sentences/exclamations were getting a bit annoying with time. Overall, I did find ‘The Hack’ enjoyable, with the second half of it being better in my opinion.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

What a ride !
Hilarious, rude, offensive in parts. A narrative delivered at a breakneck speed, making me read this extremely quickly, and I felt exhausted come the end of it.
Max McMillan is a mass selling author - wealthy, self-absorbed and totally over the top. This is his story and the story of his friend, unpublished author Jack.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I wanted to love this book, but it had me going in so many circles I wasn't sure if I could or not. I have to admit that I'm still uncertain even as I write this review so I'm giving it 3 stars. I've sat for a few days before writing to try to really delve into my thoughts on it.

This novel is about two writer friends, one extremely successful (Max) and one who has been dealt a really bad hand of cards (Jack). Jack writes beautifully according to Max, but yet he can't get published while Max is an author that no matter what he does, he is loved and respected.

This novel brought me in and then brought me out in the way he wrote that was in too many circles and made no sense at times. I learned to take some of it with a grain of salt because I realized the writer was trying to make a point about how you can fake your life and have people believe you. Max, the wealthy writer is far from a normal person and he wants to help his friend Jack, Jane (who is dying of cancer) and their young children, Lucy and Nathan who are the only 4 people he truly loves. He steals Jack's manuscript as a grand gesture to get it published only to let the world know that he, Max McMillan is a liar and a cheat. When Max gets married to a woman whose name he can't remember, it is only then that you truly find out Max really is.

I enjoyed this read.... it was engaging and kept me pulled in. I look forward to reading more of this author's and appreciate the opportunity to review this one!

The Hack, a book full of colourful language so if you are not a lover of swear words best to stir clear of it as you won't find much of infinity with the book.
But if it doesn't bother you, then this an enjoyable read and very well crafted. Interesting plot and one that gets you thinking.

i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and felt like real people. I enjoyed the humor and the going through this book.

This book is hysterical, but also ridiculous. The main character is so unlikable that it almost makes me weep. This author has undeniable talent and potential, but it was definitely misused in this effort. I’d love to see other stories by this author, so I can compare to see if he can be redeemed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny book about two different writers.
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020
A tale of two writers - one has gained fame and fortune; the other - not so much. Enjoyable, funny and escapist. I received a copy from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion

very satirical. Very crude. Reminds me of a schizophrenic on speed.
not my cup of tea.
Too much blithering on and too little substance

i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and felt like real people. I enjoyed the humor. Great read. I highly recommend it.

Loved this read! Couldn't put it down and decided to read it all in one sitting, definatly did not disapoint! Thankyou author!