Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

23 reviews

globetrotta's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Confinement

allagainforart's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

This book explores the specific cruelties of a boys’ reformatory school (based on a real reformatory school) in the context of the civil rights movement and the systemic oppression of black people in the U.S. It’s informative and sad. I found it difficult  to follow at times with all of the different student and teacher / staff characters. I appreciated the contrast between idealistic and intellectual Elwood and pragmatic Turner, and I wish the book had spent more time with their friendship. 

Favorite parts: The MLK Jr. quotes and the way that Elwood attempts to apply / interpret them, the relationships between Elwood and his grandmother and Elwood and Turner, the way the author includes seemingly “friendly” white people who are anything but that as soon as the boys step out of line (Harper is the one who ultimately shoots Elwood) (obviously didn’t “like” this part but found the “betrayal” to be realistic since Harper was very much part of the status quo of the school)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Rape, Child abuse, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Death, Child death, Homophobia, Medical content, Outing, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Gun violence, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, and Vomit

aericsson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, and Violence

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

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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

evanmcomer's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Murder, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Rape, and Police brutality

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

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Content Warnings

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

jessdav95's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse

miachalupa's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture

krn's review

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, Confinement, and Gun violence

masscrafter's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Murder, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Child abuse, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship