The Red Parts

by Maggie Nelson
The Red Parts cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Nonfiction
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  • ID: 2799
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2026-02-22
  • ISBN: 9781784705794
  • Publisher: Arrow
  • Published: 2017-06-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

In 'The Red Parts,' Maggie Nelson delves into the tragic murder of her aunt Jane Mixer in 1969, a case that remained unsolved for decades until a DNA match identified a new suspect in 2004. Nelson's personal and reflective narrative captures the horror, grief, and confusion surrounding the trial, offering a profound exploration of violence and its impact on individuals and society. /n/n Nelson's unique writing style and moral precision make this a singular work that lingers in the mind, blending personal memoir with a broader commentary on our cultural fascination with crime and punishment.

Reviews
The Guardian · 2017-06-02
powerful 4.50

A powerful and searingly honest account of a family's grief and the reopening of a murder trial after 35 years. The book reveals societal issues surrounding justice and trauma.

This review highlights the emotional depth of Maggie Nelson's memoir, which delves into the personal and societal implications of a decades-old murder trial. The reviewer praises the book's honesty and its ability to explore complex themes like grief, justice, and societal expectations.

Quick quotes

    Powerful and searingly honest, it is a deeply personal account of a family's grief, a wound reopened after 35 years.

    It also reveals a society grappling with the complexities of justice and trauma.

    The book is a powerful exploration of how personal and public tragedies intersect.

Lesbrary · Bessie · 2016-09-25
compelling 4.00

The book is a compelling mix of true crime and family history, with Nelson's personal relationship to the subject matter adding depth. It's a unique blend of genres that keeps the reader engaged.

Bessie found 'The Red Parts' to be a truly compelling read, particularly because of the way it blends elements of true crime, detective story, and family history. The author's personal connection to the events, being the niece of the victim, adds a layer of emotional depth that makes the narrative even more powerful. Bessie appreciates how Nelson weaves her own experiences and reflections into the broader story, creating a unique and engaging reading experience. The book doesn't just recount the crime and the trial; it delves into the author's personal journey and the family's collective grief, making it a deeply personal and thought-provoking memoir.

Quick quotes

    The Red Parts is a really compelling mix of true crime/detective story, family history, and writer's journal.

    Nelson's relationship to Jane's story adds a layer of emotional depth that makes the narrative even more powerful.

    It's a unique blend of genres that keeps the reader engaged.

The Journal · 2016-08-29
introspective 4.00

The book is an attempt to examine and understand the feeling of trading one tragedy for another. It's a deeply personal exploration of grief and justice.

The Journal's review describes 'The Red Parts' as a deeply personal exploration of grief and justice. The reviewer notes how Nelson, as the niece of the victim, tries to make sense of the tragedy and the subsequent trial. The book is seen as an attempt to understand the complex emotions that arise from trading one tragedy for another, making it a poignant and introspective read. The reviewer appreciates the honesty and depth of Nelson's writing, which delves into the emotional toll of the case on the family and the broader societal implications.

Quick quotes

    The Red Parts is an attempt by Maggie Nelson, Jane's niece, to examine and understand the feeling of trading one tragedy for another.

    It's a deeply personal exploration of grief and justice.

    Nelson's writing delves into the emotional toll of the case on the family.

NPR · 2016-04-07
nuanced 4.00

The book chronicles the trial of Maggie Nelson's aunt's murder, reopened decades later, and offers no easy answers to the complexities of justice and grief.

NPR's review emphasizes the book's refusal to provide simple answers to the questions it raises about justice, grief, and family trauma. The reviewer appreciates the book's nuanced exploration of these themes.

Quick quotes

    The book chronicles the trial that ensues when the old, cold case is reopened.

    The Red Parts offers no easy answers to the complexities of justice and grief.

    The book is a nuanced exploration of justice, grief, and family trauma.

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