I’ve never read a book like this and I am still processing my sadness that it’s over. It’s impeccably told, transitioning between 3 stories, and the pacing is perfect. I was most drawn to the present day story, but it would not be the book it is without the other two. I felt the distraught nature of the soldiers in the Vietnam War sections; the performance aspect of the documentary script; the mystic vibes of the present-day story. We get to see the nameless through Faruq’s perspective, ostensibly a transparent one since he is a journalist, but the way he reacts and communicates is so human - it’s hard to fault him for that.

I was absolutely enthralled the entire time, and I cannot wait to buy a copy to loan out to friends - it’s such a unique, sensational book and I feel compelled to sing its praises!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In "O Sinners," three interconnected stories cover a grief-stricken journalist who aims to expose a cult called the Nameless and its leader, Odo. then another delves into Odo’s past during the Vietnam War, exploring his friendships, experiences with racism, and personal losses, and another covers Faruq’s background and his current struggles dealing with faith, racism, Islamophobia, and personal losses. The book is engaging and thought-provoking and encourages us to see new perspectives and experiences.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

I am not really sure how to categorize this novel, but I can say I really enjoyed it. The story follows Faruq, a young journalist who is writing a piece on a "religious" cult of some kind or is it? He is a tad lost after the death of his devout Muslim father, a devotion he himself never felt and prior to that, the death of his mother.
The leader of "The Nameless" is a former Vietnam vet and the story weaves his experiences in Vietnam with the the current cult life and a transcript of a documentary filmed before along with Faruq's daily interaction with the group. .

Faruq was going to take at most six weeks to gather enough material to write a really good article. Months go by and he is still there, but now he has a book to write. I found his trying to understand what was being taught and trying to make sense of his own life as the main struggle. The writing was very good and I would love to see more from this author.

Was the wolf real?

I would like to thank Penguin Random House for offering me this read through NetGalley.

In this story, Cuffy tells the struggles that Faruq faces after the loss of his mother and his cold father. Faruq goes to visit the nameless, a cult led by Odo. Will Faruq fall for their ideology, and what will Faruq learn about himself on this journey?

I loved the way this book was written: flashbacks, transcripts, and the current. Duffy adds such a level of depth to her characters. I think this novel will be a top seller in 2025. Excellent book for a book club discussion— this one will leave you thinking!

Once again I am asking for half stars as this was closer to a 5…I’ll be thinking about this one for quite a while

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Tightly plotted, tense but humorous, warm and human, O Sinners! is a book I’m glad to have read and will recommend for a long time.

This book really embodies the definition of a page-turner; at every new development of the plot, I just wanted more. The pace was relaxed and took its time, but it was certain of where it wanted to go, like an experienced tour guide leading you through an exotic labyrinth. The author revealed just enough to satisfy a readers curiosity, but did not venture into over-explanation. The tone was perfectly eerie and unsettling, yet remained in the realm of believable normalcy which kept the narrative grounded. I also really enjoyed the narrative structure--using Instagram posts, transcripts from a documentary, and flashbacks alongside the traditional narrative really enriched the storytelling and was such a creative way to envelope the reader in the world of the nameless. Faruq was also a very interesting and memorable protagonist, and his backstory served as a brilliant contrast with Odo's characterization as a frustratingly gentle antagonist. Odo and his nameless philosophy will stick with me for a long while after I put this book down.

What a fantastic book. It's a slow read, but I appreciated that about the book. I think the switching between three points in time and points of view kept me engaged and enthusiastic about the book. I can't really capture what I want to say about this novel other than it was beautiful and I hope it gets praise and credit when it comes out!

O’sinner was my first book by this author and while i found the book interesting there were parts that were boring. In this book Farque is dealing with the apparent suicide of his mother and we witness his metamorphosis by while writing an investigative story on the nameless cult led my Odo. Odo’s story is quite interesting as the author tells how he became the cult leader after his stint in Vietnam. Yes, i would read another book by this author. Thanks #netgalley #osinner

O Sinners! is one of the absolute best books I have read to date. 💚🐺
There was SO much depth to this story.
I can't believe I had the privilege to read this as an ARC.
*I will 100000% be buying the physical copy as soon as it is out so I can annotate it*

Three stories all interwoven together to bring a memorable conclusion.
I mean WOW. 👏🏼 I didn't expect to be as enamored with these subjects as I was.
I'm not usually interested in Wars or Documentaries... or cults for that matter. BUT I WAS.

The way Nicole crafted this story is unlike anything I have ever seen before.
The writing was PHENOMENAL. 🤌🏼✨
Every one of these characters felt SO real.
Faruq is now a permanent resident in my brain (as well as Odo). I am simply at a loss for words.
I've thought about this book every day since finishing it, and know I will be for the rest of my life.

If you are someone who loves DEPTH in your characters (and plots), as well as some twisty-turny plot points that keep you guessing, ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR! 🗣
I am not kidding around here.

🥳 This will now and forever be one of my favorite books of all time.
Nicole Cuffy is now and forever an instant purchase author in my book. 🛍

Thank you so much, NetGalley for this advanced readers copy (and for introducing me to Nicole Cuffy).

6⭐️ (I'm not kidding)

O Sinners is the moving story of the nameless. Is it a cult? A new religion? Or something else..

Timlines move back and forth through Odo's experiences through the Vietnam War, a racist church's influence on the nameless' current placement, and visiting journalist Faruq's experiences and also reflections processing his own trauma.

I was hooked in right away. Cults are just fascinating to me and that is always an instant read on my TBR. I feel like I wasn't satisfied in the end but I was also fine with that. I think there is so much to mull over after the finish and it truly magnifies the impact of trauma and what we do with it.

*O Sinners!* by Nicole Cuffy is a powerful and lyrical exploration of identity, belonging, and the human spirit. Cuffy's prose is both captivating and poignant, drawing readers into a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is beautifully crafted. A must-read for those who appreciate deep, introspective narratives with unforgettable characters.

In "O Sinners," Nicole Cuffy tells three interconnected stories in one book. The first story follows Faruq, a grief-stricken journalist who aims to expose a cult called the Nameless and its leader, Odo.

The second story delves into Odo’s past during the Vietnam War, exploring his friendships, experiences with racism, and personal losses. It also highlights the Nameless group's struggles with a Texas white Christian fundamentalist church.

The third story focuses on Faruq’s background and his current struggles dealing with faith, racism, Islamophobia, and personal losses. Faruq immerses himself in the Nameless group at the Forbidden City, their base in the California redwoods, in an attempt to uncover answers.

The novel effectively juxtaposes Odo and the Nameless group with the US military and white Christian fundamentalism, shedding light on mainstream biases and the impact of race and colonizer mentality. The book is engaging and thought-provoking, presenting these scenarios without imposing any particular viewpoint, leaving readers to ponder on their own backgrounds, biases, communities, and beliefs. It encourages us to see ourselves in others and be open to new perspectives and experiences.

I highly recommend this compelling novel. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.