Who Is The Main Character In 'Deposing Nathan'?

Nate was the character who stuck with me long after I finished 'Deposing Nathan'. He’s this layered, conflicted kid caught between faith, family, and his own identity—and the way Zack Smedley writes him feels so painfully real. The book’s structured as Nate recounting his past to a lawyer, so you get this dual perspective: the raw, confused teenager in the memories and the slightly older, more reflective voice guiding the narrative. His relationship with Cam is central, messy, and heartbreaking in all the ways first love often is, especially when external pressures (like his religious aunt’s expectations) weigh on him. What I loved was how Nate’s flaws weren’t glossed over; he makes terrible choices, but you understand why, which made his journey hit harder.

What’s fascinating is how the story plays with reliability. Since Nate’s reconstructing events under duress, you start questioning how much is truth versus self-preservation. The book delves into themes of coercion, queerness in conservative spaces, and the cost of honesty—all through Nate’s imperfect lens. It’s one of those reads where the protagonist lingers in your mind because they feel less like a fictional construct and more like someone you might’ve known in high school, wrestling with impossible decisions.

The heart of 'Deposing Nathan' is Nate, a kid drowning in contradictions. He’s devout but drawn to Cam, his charismatic but reckless friend, and their bond spirals into something neither can control. Smedley crafts Nate’s voice with such intimacy—you feel his panic, his guilt, his fleeting moments of joy. It’s a masterclass in character-driven tension.