I know what you're thinking.
X, what are you doing with your life?
X, what does this post mean?
Or even...
Exello, aren't you like the #1 Nico fan?
Well to answer your questions, I have no idea what I'm doing with my life, this post means - something - and I'm a Nico fan, and hopefully #1, but that may have been taken by other users, so I can't say that. Anyways, here's the thing: Nico doesn't have that sad of a backstory compared to the others.
Reyna killed her father and got moved around, always trying to find a home. Hazel raised a giant, and sacrificed herself. Leo moved from foster home to foster home. Meg had to live under the tyranny of Nero.
Wheras Nico forgot about his... entire backstory.
Yes, he did regain some of his memories, but it wasn't as painful for him. I'm not trying to invalidate his pain, it just annoys me when people say that Nico had the saddest backstory. And yes, I used to be one of those people.
But before a brillaint user (@Kaepsmrach now is your time to shine) told me that Nico didn't have the saddest backstory. He just had the saddest life.
What does that mean, exactly?
Or more accurately, what does backstory mean?
"It is a literary device of a narrative history all chronologically earlier than the narrative of primary interest," Wikipedia can be heard screaming enthusiastically from the next room.
Congratulations, Wikipedia, you just defined backstory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backstory
Okay, so backstory is basically a character's past that takes place before the books. So, using this logic...
Nico's backstory: Mom dies in front of him, and forgets the whole thing. Bianca takes care of him.
Yep, he had a pretty messed up life, but I wouldn't say it was as 'sad' as the others, as he couldn't remember much of it. So, yeah.
Alright, listen up: I'm not trying to invalidate Nico's trauma. He suffered a lot. I'm just trying to make my point.
Next time, instead of saying that Nico had the saddest backstory, try life. He had the saddest life. To me, this sounds much more accurate.
And, @Kaepsmrach thanks for letting me post this, and being the first person to change my mind in a very long time.
https://riordan.fandom.com/wiki/Message_Wall:Kaepsmrach?threadId=4400000000003531734
Thanks, everyone! I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
ADD ON NOTE: Also, not a lot of people say Nico had the saddest backstory. XD I'm contradicting myself, aren't I? I'm just saying that in case. I think it's rather important to remember this.