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dkatreads's review against another edition
4.0
Moments of brilliance, of horror and haunting beauty from a time and legacy of brutal and brutalizing racism.
Colson writes with the voice of a storyteller - not too garish, homely even. He was this way of charming the reader into settling in, relaxing almost with the sincerity of the characters, of the story, before shocking them with the brazen nonchalance of casually strolling into a new, another, story of gruesome violence inflicted against the vulnerable boys of Nickel Academy.
The story itself deserves more unpacking than I’m willing to give it at the moment. It’s coating of sinister racism, abuse, and injustice was already enough for me to swallow without wallowing in it. But at some point down the road, this novel deserves it. For its beauty not just in craft and style, but it’s willingness to torch the silent darkness of our past, to flame the sordid soil of our nation and its sins, and to ignite the slumbering but incendiary spirit of justice within each of us.
Nevertheless, I felt this story was missing something. That is, until I hit the epilogue, which floored me. And which definitely felt like it was written for a non-black audience. For someone like me, it was instructive and challenging in the way only bearing witness to deep harm and grief can be. But is it a story of liberation? Maybe not. Be warned.
*Note: I listened to about 75% on audiobook. Would definitely recommend, but I really enjoyed the last quarter that I read in print.
Colson writes with the voice of a storyteller - not too garish, homely even. He was this way of charming the reader into settling in, relaxing almost with the sincerity of the characters, of the story, before shocking them with the brazen nonchalance of casually strolling into a new, another, story of gruesome violence inflicted against the vulnerable boys of Nickel Academy.
The story itself deserves more unpacking than I’m willing to give it at the moment. It’s coating of sinister racism, abuse, and injustice was already enough for me to swallow without wallowing in it. But at some point down the road, this novel deserves it. For its beauty not just in craft and style, but it’s willingness to torch the silent darkness of our past, to flame the sordid soil of our nation and its sins, and to ignite the slumbering but incendiary spirit of justice within each of us.
Nevertheless, I felt this story was missing something. That is, until I hit the epilogue, which floored me. And which definitely felt like it was written for a non-black audience. For someone like me, it was instructive and challenging in the way only bearing witness to deep harm and grief can be. But is it a story of liberation? Maybe not. Be warned.
*Note: I listened to about 75% on audiobook. Would definitely recommend, but I really enjoyed the last quarter that I read in print.
tiffany86's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
yikesdude's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
eroderoderod's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
patdg's review against another edition
5.0
As a history teacher I found this fiction excellent inspiration for a unit that I am currently planning on 1920s USA. I would highly recommend this if your interests lie in racial injustice and treatment of Black people during the Jim Crow era.
jennswan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Racism, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
elisaz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kawooreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0