Reviews with content warning for Blood - The Nickel Boys

Reviews tagging 'Blood'

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

29 reviews

mmwiseheart's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is a fantastic book, which feels weird to say since the content is so heavy and dark. However, it is very well written. More importantly, it tells the story of boys whose stories were largely unheard. It is based on a true story of what happened at a reform school in Florida. The only thing I didn’t like about it is that I felt it wasn’t fully resolved. Which is perhaps intentional.

I read this for book group and was forewarned that I needed to start reading it earlier than I normally would because I’d need to take breaks from the heaviness of it. And that turned out to be the case. The only other book I’ve read that I remember having to put down and come back to this much was John Hersey’s Hiroshima.

I recommend this to everyone. It’s a lot to handle, but it’s so important. It’s important to know about and learn to recognize the injustices that have happened, and are still happening, in our country so that we can affect change.

Content Warnings

davianareads's review against another edition

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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

4.5

Content Warnings

jagodajagg's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

scarlettiscrying's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

allagainforart's review against another edition

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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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jamiekesselman's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

surefinewhatever_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

I’m still processing my thoughts & feelings regarding this book. Colson Whitehead is a master at his craft and writes such horrible scenes so beautifully. There was a moment near the end where my jaw dropped and tears filled my eyes. Not to mention that I think this novel had the best first line I’ve ever read, stating “Even in death the boys were trouble.” Be sure to check out the long list of content warnings before reading.

Content Warnings