Hex

A Novel

By: Rebecca Dinerstein Knight

Narrated by: Jenny Slate

One of Vanity Fair's 21 Best Books of 2020 (So Far)

A Vulture, LitHub, and PureWow Most Anticipated Book of 2020

"As precise as any scientific observation and far more tantalizing." --Vogue

"A sophisticated, surprising take on the campus novel (with a welcome dose of witchery). Knight's writing feels a little wild and charged, as if you're constantly on the edge of discovering something new with her."
--Goop

"Hex is some dark and joyous witchery." --Lauren Groff, author of Florida

"A beautiful, spooky spell." --Jenny Slate, actress and author of Little Weirds

A breathtaking and hypnotic novel about poison, antidotes, and obsessive love

Nell Barber, an expelled PhD candidate in biological science, is exploring the fine line between poison and antidote, working alone to set a speed record for the detoxification of poisonous plants. Her mentor, Dr. Joan Kallas, is the hero of Nell's heart. Nell frequently finds herself standing in the doorway to Joan's office despite herself, mesmerized by Joan's elegance, success, and spiritual force.

Surrounded by Nell's ex, her best friend, her best friend's boyfriend, and Joan's buffoonish husband, the two scientists are tangled together at the center of a web of illicit relationships, grudges, and obsessions. All six are burdened by desire and ambition, and as they collide on the university campus, their attractions set in motion a domino effect of affairs and heartbreak.

Meanwhile, Nell slowly fills her empty apartment with poisonous plants to study, and she begins to keep a series of notebooks, all dedicated to Joan. She logs her research and how she spends her days, but the notebooks ultimately become a painstaking map of love. In a dazzling and unforgettable voice, Rebecca Dinerstein Knight has written a spellbinding novel of emotional and intellectual intensity.

The hopelessly awkward heroine grows on you

A quirky queer romance for anyone who’s ever had an awkward, monumental crush on someone who’s outpaced you by ten years too many. This is better than I expected based on the reviews. It’s not for everyone but I found it charming, wickedly A quirky queer romance for anyone who’s ever had an awkward, monumental crush on someone who’s outpaced you by ten years too many. This is better than I expected based on the reviews. It’s not for everyone but I found it charming, wickedly observant, heartbreaking, and sweet. The casting is 🤌🏻💋, the inimitable Jenny Slate’s narration winsome and devastating in turn. It’s like a cross between The Price of Salt and Obvious Child with a little “Girls” in the mix. Loved this.

Poetically twisted and informative!!

Loved this book!! Rebecca’s writing style was fun for me! Jenny Slate had the purrrrfect voice for the first person narrative style! After listening to this… I think Rebecca is the love child of Margaret Atwood, Stephen King and Katherine Dunn… and Jenny is her twin sister.

Great Listen

I was enthralled the entire time I couldn’t put it down!!! Really a good read!