Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

78 reviews

lkbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, and Violence

lexichrist578's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I thought this book was rather plain in reference to the books that have been put out prior. It just sounded like a repeat, in my opinion. If you like the concept of this book, I would recommend Black Boy by Richard Wright or Invisible man by Ralph Ellison. Same vibe, better execution

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

badmom's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Death, Confinement, and Racial slurs

cjc's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I really enjoy the themes conveyed in The Nickel Boys, but ultimately I believe it fell flat. I consistently was engaged with the characters and their stories; my heart wept at the injustices and smiled at the triumphs. The reoccurring Dr. Martin Luther King speeches were amazing and conveyed a wide breadth of relevant emotion. But I didn’t really enjoy the book holistically. To me, it seemed like a jumble of ideas, concepts, and injustices - all valid, but arranged in such a manner that simply wasn’t poignant. I don’t want to downplay the tragedies faced by boys in similar situations, however long ago, but it remains that this particle novel fell flat. Whitehead had a unique prose that is both descriptive and focused which I enjoyed, but the culmination of the varied ideas didn't amaze me in the end. While the plot did captivate me, I wish I read a different book broaching the same themes.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, and Death

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Drug abuse

ladysanctuary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, Torture, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault

flykites's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

This book made me cry a lot toward the end. I’m using this to log my opinion so spoilers to follow :

I think what broke my heart was the fact Elwood shouldn’t have been there he thought he’d be the martyr as he wrote the letter which only led to his demise and eventual death. He was only following what his hero’s were saying and the bravery in their actions he wanted reform and he thought he could do it. His hope was such a beautiful thing he really thought it’d all be ok. I said in my journal entries that he kept thinking optimistically that he would be out he should keep his head down and go through the motions. It didn’t work for him. I cried a lot when we found out Turner was using his name that he ended up in the old hotel where Elwood worked. It hit me for it to come full circle like that. He only wanted to learn and go to college and it was taken from him. All from him. He had optimism that it would be ok they got out of there briefly but it wasn’t enough and my heart aches. It’ll leave a lasting impact and impression for certain

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Sexual assault

everyotherpageorso's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

A breathtaking and heartbreaking narrative. The ending really grabs you! Whitehead is incredible!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Physical abuse, Hate crime, and Child death

Moderate: Death and Child death

readingwithally's review against another edition

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Child death, Death, and Physical abuse

eileenaf's review against another edition

inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, Torture, and Violence

fionag's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Heartbreaking book that leaves you with little hope. Elwood and Turner’s story is filled with the injustice of racism and ‘reform’. We experience many time periods and can see how the scars of trauma still affect people decades later. The fact that this book was based on accounts from a real reform school is horrifying. You can’t help but get attached to our protagonists and wish them the best, though unfortunately life rarely pans out that way. Whitehead’s writing style is gripping and you really feel the sense of loss here 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault