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pmrichard1's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this, amazingly written, v difficult subject matter. Did not expect how the plot turned out!!!
beckybirchtree's review against another edition
5.0
An over-too-quick yet painfully visceral story that threatens from the beginning that it has been and always will be more than a work of fiction.
criminalpancakes's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
baoluong's review against another edition
3.0
C O N T E N T W A R N I N G : A B U S E , V I O L E N C E ,
M U R D E R
This was a hard book to read. I mean that in the sense this book is based off real events. Knowing that the abuse described can be cited to real reports hurts me so deeply. Elwood has never truly fit in. His grandma likes it that way. His bookish attitude and his eagerness to work hard is what he thinks sets him apart from the other black boys. This is not new concept of internalize racism but rather the frustration that society expects only one thing from you and to prove otherwise often results in conscripting to the status quo. Therefore it comes as a great surprise to Elwood when one day he's caught at the wrong place and at the wrong time. He did everything right and it still wasn't enough. It doesn't matter what he was doing. Whether he was innocent or guilty is irrelevant because he's just a black boy that someone didn't like.
His new life at the Nickel Academy is rife with abuse. While his grandma tries to prove his innocence, they simply just can't afford the lawyers. The system knows this and takes advantage of what is essentially prison labor. In addition, there are cruel wardens who thrive on inflicting pain. Despite multiple complaints, there's no investigation and the abuse continues. What's really heartbreaking are the stories of the boys attempting to escape only to be caught and disposed of. I cannot even fathom the level of fear and facing your own death because you didn't run fast enough. It's even worse there are piles of dead bodies in a mass grave on the site. How is this possible?
Then you begin to understand that this was possible because these boys are on the fringes of society. Their human right were denied. Even though Elwood manages to survive, the memories occasionally haunts him. He tries to forget what happened and I can't blame him. This is a hard book to stomach and I definitely don't recommend this book if you're feeling particularly sensitive. You will empathize with Elwood and feel his pain as well.
This is a remarkable cover. The geometric red rectangle is a great focal point with two figures merging into one from their shadows. The typeface is reminiscent of the time and I really appreciate the consideration. Overall great design.
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Child death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Torture, and Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Bullying, and Medical content
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
frenchoctopus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
countofpoictesme's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
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